Do window air conditioners work if installed in a fireplace?

Question

Would the chimney function similarly to a window? Would convection occur in such a narrow space? Would the standing air column limit effectiveness of heat exchange?

Answer 1

The air conditioner would work but would eventually the compressor would trip due to overheating of the freon. The basics of an air conditioning system include a refrigerant, compressor, thermal expansion valve, and a heat exchanger. Depending on the application and size, etc., there could be a cooling system on each end of this cycle.
Since the window unit is normally exposed to open areas the forced air fan can dissipate the heat from the unit easily, if you place it in an enclosed space such as a fireplace, the hot air will rise assuming the damper is open and, unless you seal it in the fireplace, most of the air from the blower will be in your house. since the ambient temp will rise faster in an enclosed area without ventilation, the compressor will overheat trying to bring about the phase change of the refrigerant from gas to liquid. If you have ever used a window unit, you have seen them 'freeze' up on hot days or when run continuously for long periods.
Of course a semistagnant column of air, which has a poor heat transfer coefficient, will limit the effectiveness of the window unit and slow heat exchange.
This is a basic answer.

Answer 2

It might work if the fireplace has another source of draft so that its opening to the room can be completely sealed. Otherwise the draft generated by the condenser coil would suck cool air from the room as soon as it passes across the evaporator coil. Sealing the fireplace without a separate source of draft would create an intolerably high temperature (for the air conditioner) inside the fireplace. Any convection current set up in the chimney would be insignificant.

Answer 3

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The simple answer, is yes it will work. No, you do not want to do this. A chimney is designed to draft air from inside your home, through the fire, and up the chimney. With the window unit in place, you won't have the natural draft that lifts the air up and out of your home. A window mount air cooler works by removing the heat from the living space, and dumping the heat outside. As the air cooler runs, humidity in the atmosphere will collect on the evaporator coils, and condense in the lower pan. This water is then channeled to the condenser coil where the outdoor fan picks it up and throws it on the condenser to 1, aid in cooling the condenser, and 2, get rid of the water. If there is more humidity in the room than the condenser process can remove, you have excess water that will run out of the cooler, onto (normally) the ground. In your fireplace, this water will collect on the floor of your fireplace. Water is not good for the mortar in a firebox, as it will soak into the very dry brick, and this winter when you light the fire, the water will expand and crack the brick and mortar. Yes, I know that you are saying "well, when I rapidly oxidize hydrocarbons (burn a log), I get CO2, heat and H20. Doesn't this moisture hurt my chimney? No, it doesn't, as the moisture is in vapor form, not liquid, and is carried out the chimney. Through-the-wall units are available, and if you are fairly capable of simple carpentry, can be installed by a confident homeowner, or by a reputable contractor. Keep on Koolin'

Answer 4

You could make it work, perhaps with a small fan to supplement convection. Even if convection were enough, you'd be drawing air that you paid to cool, just to carry the heat away. A better way would be to have that fan draw in outside air. An even better bet is not to use a window unit, but one where the heat exchanger is outside.

Answer 5

Bad plan. They might be slightly diminished having to draw air from the top of the chimney (due to friction and pressure issues). But the bigger problem is having to draw air past all that nasty gunk in your chimney. I'm not a chem expert, but I'm assuming it's probably poisonous. It's certainly flammable if it gets thick enough (side-note, have your chimney cleaned once a year).

Answer 6

Air Conditioner In Fireplace

Answer 7

So much misinformation here. There is no connection between the inside and outside air. Only issue is cooling the condenser which is easily mitigated.