Window air conditioners work by drawing warm air from the room and transferring the heat to the refrigerant inside the unit. The refrigerant then releases the heat outside, cooling the air that circulates back into the room. In order for this process to work efficiently, the warm air needs to be able to escape from the room, which is why a window air conditioner must be vented outside.
Without proper ventilation, a window air conditioner will not be able to cool the room effectively and may even overheat, causing damage to the unit. Additionally, the build-up of warm air can create a safety hazard, as it can increase the risk of fire.
So, it is important to always vent a window air conditioner outside to ensure efficient cooling and to prevent any potential safety risks.