Do Cold-Weather Climates Cause More Trouble for ACs Than Warmer Areas?

Every now and then during an unseasonably warm winter day, homeowners may be tempted to turn on the air conditioner. It may not be that warm, but perhaps you got busy in the house and started sweating, so it's tempting to turn on the AC. But should you?

Probably not. The fact is, the air conditioner compressor has summer-weight oil in it, which is a heavy-grade oil that works best under summer conditions. In colder weather, the oil may be too thick for the AC to work properly, and damage may result. Also, running the air conditioner in colder weather could cause freezing coils.

This is more or less the scenario in cold-weather climates, but what about our climate in Broken Arrow, which isn't all that cold — but may be occasionally frigid?

In general, HVAC technicians don't like to run central air conditioning unless daytime temperatures are well above 60 degrees for two to three days prior to turning the AC on. That can make it difficult to run a test in colder weather (for a home appraisal, for instance) or in colder climates.

Another issue is that some modern air conditioners now have low-ambient temperature sensors that actually keep the compressor from turning on when it's cool. These sensors are for the protection of the unit.

Heat Pumps

All of the information we've detailed up to this point pertains to central air conditioning. However, heat pumps operate a bit differently. Heat pumps, which can heat or cool a home, run with a lighter grade of oil and can be turned on during cooler weather.

Cooling Off in Winter

In general, it's better to just open a window to cool off the home a bit or else turn on a ceiling fan. If the fan blades have been reversed to push down warm air to the level of the home's occupants, you may need to change the switch so the blades are running counterclockwise. This will help lift up warm air and push down cooler air.

For more on operating the AC in cold-weather climates, contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow.

AC Dangers: What You Should Never Do

Your HVAC is a sturdy piece of machinery, and is designed to withstand a lot of heavy use over the years. But it also should be handled with care, as certain practices will result in damage and expensive breakdowns. Some malfunctions that can occur with your HVAC can also lead to damage to your home, or danger to its occupants. Read on and learn about A/C dangers.

1. Neglect changing the air filter.

A dirty air filter will slow down air flow so that your system cannot cool properly. You will use more energy, and you may eventually cause a breakdown. Further, a dirty filter will not effectively filter the air going into your system, so that parts may become dirty (thus, burning hotter and causing friction), and also so that air won't be properly cleaned.

2. Turn the thermostat down so the A/C runs continuously.

This practice will put a lot of stress on your system, so that parts break down and you will need to do more frequent repairs.

3. Close off dampers in rooms.

Some homeowners think this practice saves money on energy by not air conditioning rooms, when in fact it creates negative pressure and makes the air conditioner run inefficiently. It can also stress the equipment so that you have more frequent breakdowns.

4. Open windows while the A/C is running.

Central air conditioners are designed to run with all windows and doors closed, and the home should be air sealed for maximum efficiency. Otherwise, you'll be wasting energy and causing the A/C to work harder than it should.

5. Neglect frayed electric wiring.

Always have your HVAC tech check the wiring during preventative maintenance visits. If frayed or old, it should be replaced, as bad wires can result in fires.

6. Neglect a plugged condensate drain.

When these drains get clogged (and they always do eventually), flooding in the home can result.

For more on A/C dangers, or to schedule maintenance, repairs or equipment installations, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.