Running Air Conditioner When It’s Cold Outside: 4 Best Answers To FAQs!

Today, we are going to look further on the topic, “Running air conditioner when it’s cold outside.” We’ve looked up about four most asked questions and the explanations behind this.

You’re primarily curious about a couple of things about your AC whenever there’s a change in season.

Running air conditioner when it's cold outside

One of these is if it’s alright to run your air conditioner during low-temperature seasons.

We can give you a complete explanation about what’s right and wrong during the winter season.

So, without further ado, let’s start the discussion about the given topic. Read on!

 

Common Questions Asked During Cold Season

Some of you are homeowners who want to be safe and sure before doing a particular thing. But don’t worry, that’s completely normal, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

You want to protect your home and provide it with fresh and excellent air quality despite climate change. Plus, you don’t want to damage your unit, especially if it’s new.

Now, we’re going to present you the most common questions about “Running air conditioner when it’s cold outside.”

And here they are:

 

Question #1. Why does my AC turn on by itself when cold?

Well, it’s possible, but there’s not much proof to conclude that your AC automatically turns on because of the coldness. However, when the exterior side of your unit feels a change, it could also affect the overall operation.

It may have an impact on the compressor’s and refrigerant’s performance. Rather than chilly, icy air, the propeller fan generally absorbs warm exterior air. This condition may cause your compressor to get mixed signals.

Note that this question is not entirely possible because other AC components can make your unit turn on and off without your notice. It could be due to a dirty compressor or any electrical defects.

 

Question #2. Can I use my AC during the winter season?

Yes, you can. However, you still need to monitor the temperature on the outside since it could affect your outdoor unit.

On the other hand, most homeowners prefer buying ductless heat pumps or ductless mini-split air conditioners for their homes. Do you want to know why? Manufacturers design them to have the ability to reverse the airflow of the refrigerant.

You can use this equipment to heat or cool your air conditioner. Using your AC during winter is uncommon since you don’t need to feel cold during this season. But in severe snowfall, you tend to close all your windows and doors, which prevents the balance of air temperature in the room.

You’ll light up your fireplace, and suddenly it will feel warm. Although, you can protect your AC with some of these tips.

 

Question #3. How cold can the exterior unit handle?

Professionals say that the limit temperature that the AC can handle is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, there might be some changes in your unit’s behavior if you continue using it below 60 degrees.

We suggest that if the temperature keeps getting lower than this, you should not use your AC. That is because there might be some ice particles forming at the back.

These particles could disrupt the overall operation of your AC, especially the electrical components located on the exterior. Your compressor also has lubricating oil to keep it functioning. But it might thicken due to the cold temperature.

If you have an AC, constantly monitor the temperature outside and inside your home and determine if your air conditioner can handle the extremity.

 

Question #4. Can the cold damage my AC?

This question can be answered by both yes and no, depending on the factors needed to consider. Note that whenever you try using your AC during extreme seasons, you always risk it upon damage.

So, these are the variables to examine when determining whether or not the cold may truly harm your unit:

 

Factor #1. Forming of ice particles

Since the temperature inside your home is warmer than the outside, your AC will absorb more moisture. This moisture will eventually convert into the water due to the process of condensation.

However, due to the low temperature, the water will most likely become frozen rapidly. As a result, the water might form ice particles in the coils, pipes, and drain lines. And this would result in a bigger disaster since your AC will force itself to operate despite the chunks of ice that prevent airflow.

 

Factor #2. Thickening of lubricating oil

So, the AC uses this oil to make the compressor work efficiently and flawlessly. It makes the whole operation inside the exterior unit function smoothly.

However, if the oil thickens due to the coldness, it will prevent the compressor from running smoothly. And it won’t be able to cool the refrigerant and deliver it to its destination.

Overall, it might cause your compressor to get stuck or seize due to insufficient lubrication.

 

Factor #3. Your compressor might overheat

It’s common to have warm air absorbing the heat from the compressor. And it usually makes the unit feel hot.

However, when the temperature gets a little colder, it will make the compressor work more and force itself to function better.

Unfortunately, this action might overwork the system and cause the compressor to overheat. It could result in a damaged and unfixable compressor.

 

Wrapping Up

And those are the frequently asked questions from AC users regarding the topic, “Running air conditioner when it’s cold outside.”

There are still other questions waiting for an explanation about the relationship between your AC and temperature.

But it would take a long waiting for answers since there’s not enough proof yet. We hope we answered one of your questions and satisfy your curiosity. Thank you!

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