Stirling engines are heat engines that can convert thermal energy into mechanical work. While they can be used for various applications, utilizing them solely for the purpose of cooling a room as a substitute for running an air conditioner may not be practical or efficient.
Stirling engines work based on the temperature difference between a hot heat source and a cold heat sink. They require a significant temperature gradient to operate efficiently. In the scenario you described, the excess heat in the room would serve as the hot heat source, but finding a cold heat sink with a sufficiently low temperature could be challenging.
In an air conditioning system, the heat from the room is typically expelled outside using a refrigeration cycle. This allows the room to cool down effectively. Stirling engines alone cannot provide the cooling effect required to lower the room temperature unless you have a cold heat sink readily available.
Moreover, Stirling engines have limitations in terms of power output and efficiency. They tend to have lower power density compared to other technologies, and their efficiency is typically lower than that of conventional air conditioning systems.
While Stirling engines can be used in specific applications where there is a large temperature difference available, such as in some solar power systems, using them as a standalone solution for cooling a room is not a practical substitute for air conditioning in most cases. Modern air conditioning systems are specifically designed to efficiently and effectively cool indoor spaces, taking into account factors like humidity control, air circulation, and temperature regulation.