While a refrigerator and an air conditioner serve similar purposes in terms of cooling, they are designed for different applications, and using a refrigerator as an air conditioner is not recommended. Here's why:
Energy Efficiency: Air conditioners are optimized for cooling the air in a room or a specific area, while refrigerators are designed to cool a confined space to preserve food at a low temperature. Refrigerators are not as energy-efficient as air conditioners when it comes to cooling a large area or room.
Cooling Capacity: Refrigerators are not designed to cool a room or provide sufficient cooling capacity for that purpose. They are intended to maintain a relatively small, insulated space at a specific temperature for food preservation.
Compressor Overload: Using a refrigerator as an air conditioner may cause the refrigerator's compressor to work harder than it is designed for, leading to potential breakdowns and reduced lifespan of the appliance.
Regarding your second question, if you were to put food that needs refrigeration in a refrigerator overnight and then turn on the air conditioning setting all night, a few things might happen:
Food Safety: If you only use the refrigerator for cooling the food for a short time before switching to the air conditioning setting, it might not maintain the food at a safe temperature throughout the night. Bacteria can grow rapidly in perishable foods when they are in the "temperature danger zone" (40°F to 140°F or 4°C to 60°C). This could lead to food spoilage or, more importantly, foodborne illnesses.
Energy Usage: Running a refrigerator and an air conditioner simultaneously would consume a significant amount of energy, potentially increasing your utility bills.
To ensure food safety and avoid potential appliance issues, it's best to use the refrigerator solely for its intended purpose of food preservation and invest in a proper air conditioning system or use a fan to cool your living space efficiently. If you need additional cooling beyond what your air conditioner can provide, consider using a separate air conditioner or a portable cooling unit for the intended area.