If you set the temperature of an air conditioning (AC) system lower than the current room temperature, the AC will work to cool the room. Here's what happens:
Thermostat detects temperature: The AC system has a thermostat that senses the temperature in the room. When you set a lower temperature on the thermostat than the current room temperature, it activates the cooling mode.
Compressor and refrigerant: The AC system's compressor starts working, and a refrigerant circulates through the system. The refrigerant plays a crucial role in absorbing heat from the room.
Heat transfer: The refrigerant, in its gaseous state, absorbs heat from the indoor air in the evaporator coil. As the warm air from the room passes over the cold evaporator coil, heat energy transfers from the air to the refrigerant, cooling the air.
Condensation: The heat absorbed by the refrigerant causes it to evaporate, transforming into a gas. Meanwhile, the now cooled air is blown back into the room through the AC vents.
Heat dissipation: The gaseous refrigerant is then compressed by the AC system's compressor, which increases its temperature and pressure. This hot, pressurized refrigerant is then routed to the outdoor unit of the AC.
Outdoor unit: In the outdoor unit, the hot refrigerant releases its heat to the outdoor air through the condenser coil. The refrigerant condenses back into a liquid state, giving off the heat it absorbed from the indoor air.
Cycle continues: The cooled, liquid refrigerant returns to the indoor unit to repeat the cycle of absorbing heat from the room air and dissipating it outdoors. This process continues until the temperature in the room reaches the desired set point on the thermostat.
It's important to note that while setting the AC to a lower temperature than the room can provide increased cooling, there is a limit to how low the temperature can go based on the AC system's capacity and design. Additionally, running the AC at extremely low temperatures may consume more energy and result in higher energy bills.