US Patent 7841194 Air conditioner and method of controlling such

The invention provides an air conditioner that is capable of performing optimal control in accordance with the environment of an indoor space at startup, and a method of controlling such. The air conditioner forms a refrigerant circuit having a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, thermistors, humidity sensors, a temperature sensor, ventilation fans, a compressor, a casing, a control unit, and the like. The control unit is connected to the temperature sensor, the humidity sensors, a storage unit, a timer, a manual input unit, air passageway switching mechanisms, a four-way switching valve, and an expansion valve. In the stage before the air conditioner starts normal operation after startup, the control unit performs a priority control operation that prioritizes either the sensible heat process or the latent heat process.