At Classic Plumbing & Air, we only test and inspect your AC unit when safe to do so!
In this day and age, almost every home has an air-conditioning unit. They are a very important element for the comfort of your home in the summertime. During the wintertime, and even early spring, AC units remain dormant. But as spring ends, it is always a good idea to get your air-conditioning unit cleaned and checked to make sure it is and can continue to function properly.
For an AC to run, the temperature outside must be above the set temperature on the thermostat. Most AC’s can be set to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If the outside temperature is lower than this, it is not a good idea to turn the unit on. Most air-conditioning units, no matter the model or brand, have a minimum temperature limit. Running your AC when it is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit may lead to damage to your AC unit. Consequences of running your AC in cold weather could lead to the coils freezing, the lubricant in the compressors thickening quickly, or the unit overheating, because the lower the outside temperature the harder the compressor must work. This can cause irreversible damage. Additionally, some air-conditioning units have sensors on them that prevent the units from even being able to run if the temperature is too low.
HVAC manufacturers usually advise not to run AC units for long periods of time if the temperature is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. With this in mind, it is preferable that the outside temperature be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit for the whole day, in order to properly inspect, test and clean your air-conditioning unit. This allows the oil to warm up and prevents ice from forming on the condenser.
If you are having any difficulties or concerns with your air-conditioning unit, or simply want to be sure your unit runs at optimal capacity, call our HVAC professionals at Classic Plumbing and Air.