Air conditioning, often abbreviated as A/C (US) or air con (UK), is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space to achieve a more comfortable interior environment and in some cases also strictly controlling the humidity of internal air. Air conditioning can be achieved using a mechanical 'air conditioner' or by other methods, including passive cooling and ventilative cooling. Air conditioning is a member of a family of systems and techniques that provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Heat pumps are similar in many ways to air conditioners, but use a reversing valve to allow them both to heat and to cool an enclosed space.
An array of air conditioner condenser units outside a commercial office building
Willis Carrier, who is credited with building the first modern electrical air conditioning unit
A wireless remote controller
The infrared transmitting LED on the remote
Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor, the gaseous state of water, is generally invisible to the human eye. Humidity indicates the likelihood for precipitation, dew, or fog to be present.
Paranal Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth.
A hygrothermograph for humidity and temperature recording
Hygrometer for domestic use, wet/dry psychrometer type
Thermo hygrometer displaying temperature and relative humidity
