Nowadays, almost every household has an air conditioner running at full speed during the warm months. And why not? Everyone wants to stay comfortable and cool. But with the winter season right around the corner, it is probably time to forget about the air conditioner for a while. Or not? The following write-up specifies how to run the AC in winter while answering the common concerns. Please check it out now.
Is Running the AC in Winter Possible?
The answer is a yes. The experts providing repair services for the cooling system of the air conditioning units said in the case of a ductless heat pump or reversible AC, it makes absolute sense to use the AC throughout the year and enjoy the heating option. Even when one’s air conditioner is not reversible, they may still find some usage of it during the winter. If a room is getting too suffocating or stuffy because of heating, one can turn on the AC in fan mode and make the room a bit open.
The efficiency of the AC will be different as compared to the summertime. Although an air conditioner is functioning during winter season, it is designed for usage when the external temperature is higher than the temperature inside.
Is There Anything Too Cold for an AC?
Like human beings and other appliances, ACs have a minimum threshold for operation, below which they cannot work as intended. There would be a minimum limit for temperatures, whatever the model or type or brand.
Usually, the minimum temperature outside is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the air conditioner to function. Beneath this particular temperature, the refrigerant starts behaving quite differently. Running the AC below this temperature can result in damages such as:
- Freezing of the refrigerant coils
- Dysfunctional moving parts and bearings
- Thick lubricants
How to Run the AC during Winter?
With ducted systems and furnaces leaving a huge dent on the electricity bills, one may want to look for an alternative that can heat the room as effectively and is not hard on the pockets. Rather than having a different appliance for heating, what if one can do both cooling and heating with a single appliance?
This is what mini-split reversible heat pumps do. One may utilize the same appliance with the same energy-efficient features all around the year to keep them cool during the summer and warm in winter. Other than mini-split, there are different kinds of heat pumps readily available in the market.
How does an AC work by transferring the heat from a hotter environment (inside a house) to a cooler one (outside of a house)? This is perfect for summer. But in the winter months, one may wish to extract heat from outside and transfer it to the indoors. The air conditioner must be capable of working in reverse.
Will Running an Air Conditioner in Winter Damage It?
The professionals offering air conditioner repair said several factors are at play, and running the AC during winter is not without any risk. With moderate temperatures, an AC can run in any mode. But with the temperature is below sixty degrees Fahrenheit, here are a couple of problems the AC may face:
- Zero lubrication
- Overheated compressor
- Frozen cooling coils
To summarize, running the air conditioner during winter is a sensible decision. With reversible ACs, the benefit is outright obvious. But with non-reversible ACs, one may get fresh air inside a stuffy room. You can get more information on the website of a reliable and licensed vendor dealing with ACs.