Utilizing the Air Conditioner in Winter: Is It a Good Thought?

For a house owner, your air conditioner is a trusted companion throughout the sweltering summer season days of Southern California. They regulate the temperature throughout scorching climate, enabling us to loosen up in additional snug temperatures. However can an air conditioner be used to warmth up your house in chilly climate, too? Have you ever, like many others, heard that utilizing your AC in winter is a nasty concept? Main HVAC contractors in Temecula give solutions to frequent questions on utilizing air conditioners for heating.

Can you employ an air conditioner within the winter?

In case your air conditioner has a functioning heating ingredient, it’s thought of a reversible air conditioner, so it’s also possible to use it to warmth your house. Reversible air conditioners are particularly designed for use when exterior temperatures are greater than indoors. Thus, it gained’t be as high-efficient at producing warmth in comparison with its cool air manufacturing in the summertime. Owners in Temecula and extra inland cities select to make use of a reversible AC for further warmth along with a furnace.

It is very important consider, nevertheless, most air conditioners are merely not designed for chilly climate use. Some even have factory-installed low-ambient controls, which assist forestall functioning in low temperatures. Basically, sure air conditioners can be utilized within the winter, however you’ll almost definitely be working your system exterior its designed parameters.

Should you select to run your air conditioner when the temperatures are too low, it’s possible you’ll danger inflicting vital hurt to your unit. Air conditioners include oil designed for lubricating the compressor, and this oil works greatest in heat climate. In winter, the oil can grow to be thicker as a consequence of low temperatures, stopping correct lubrication of the compressor and doubtlessly inflicting it to overheat. One other subject with working air conditioners within the winter is the condensation which collects on the cooling coils may freeze and harm the system.

What’s the coldest temperature for an air conditioner?

Whereas utilizing your air conditioner in winter does run some dangers, you’ll be able to nonetheless use it for heating until the temperature exterior will get too low. However what is just too low? Most HVAC producers advocate customers don’t run their air conditioners for lengthy intervals of time if the temperature drops beneath 60 levels. Should you use it in decrease temperatures, you danger compressor failure and frozen coils. If you wish to check your unit and ensure there’s no built-up frost on the AC parts, ensure that to attend till the temps go above 60 levels for a minimum of three consecutive days to permit the oil to heat up.

What ought to my AC be set at in winter?

When utilizing your air conditioner for heating, modify the thermostat settings appropriately to save lots of on power prices. To take action, it is suggested to maintain your thermostat throughout the 68-75 diploma vary for the most effective outcomes. Based on Vitality.gov, you may get a 5-15% discount of your power utilization per 12 months when you decrease your thermostat by 10-15 levels, for about 8 hours a day.

Protecting your thermostat at 68°F throughout the day is kind of a cushty temperature, particularly when you put on acceptable clothes. This notably true when you dwell in Temecula, the place winter temperatures are often milder.

Protecting your house snug throughout winter is even simpler once you personal a programmable thermostat. By permitting you to set your required temperatures based mostly in your habits, a programmable thermostat brings comfort and retains you from being tempted to set the next temperature.

Rely in your favourite HVAC contractors in Temecula

Motion Air Conditioning, Heating & Photo voltaic presents dependable, high-quality photo voltaic, air flow, heating, and air con companies to Temecula Valley. Our knowledgeable group is devoted to assembly your cooling and heating wants all through the climate adjustments. Don’t hesitate to succeed in out when you’re contemplating an air conditioner alternative throughout winter, and want to find out about furnace upkeep plans with advantages for you.

Whether or not you want us for air conditioner set up or only a routine furnace tune-up, relaxation assured our NATE-certified technicians will carry out the job based on the most recent trade requirements. Name us at (760) 472-5844 and allow us to deliver you indoor air high quality and peace of thoughts all 12 months.