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Running A/C at night if 0 or lower

Running A/C at night if 0 or lower

covidsux
Joined: This month
Posts: 154

covidsux
Joined: This month
Posts: 154

Running A/C at night if 0 or lower
5/27/2021 at 9:16 PM

Is there any harm in running a a/c during the nights when they are 0 or lower temp wise outside? I know there is just a fan-only option but don't know if that is ok to run if the a/c cool part isn't on ? i think there are senstive things in a/c's so just thought maybe someone who deals with a/c's knows and wouldn't mind commenting and then I have some clarity lol i:m wanting to run it to keep other tenant noise muffled and to keep my apt coolish as by morning it can be quite warm. Balcony door open at night not a option at this point.
So concerned if fan only or a/c on cool at night temps will harm my ac or not.
Thank you.

Edited by covidsux, 2021-05-27 21:35:10
covidsux
Joined: This month
Posts: 154

covidsux
Joined: This month
Posts: 154

my
5/27/2021 at 10:17 PM

Princess_Fred said "I googled for safe A/C operating temperature and it appears to be above 58° F or 14° c. But it is safe to run the fan on your furnace with the heating/cooling function off. I do this all the time to move the air around my house. Heat rises so running the fan is a good way to circulate the air around your home during the shoulder seasons. "
ac just has cool, energy and fan only options... that's a good idea to circulate the air when I can't have the balcony door open at night. Tonight's temp is lower than the ones you mentioned ....so wasn't sure what the temp limit is.
covidsux
Joined: This month
Posts: 154

covidsux
Joined: This month
Posts: 154

.....
5/27/2021 at 10:37 PM

hogie87 said "it is not recommend to run an ac below 15c as it will cause damage to the compressor, which is very expensive. there are mutiple ways of getting around this.
1) you can install a low ambient shut off will not let ac run unless temp is above 15C most common option very inexpensive some ac are already equipped with them from factory.
2) you can install a low ambient kit on the ac. come with a crank case heater and a head pressure control. more expensive used on commercial applications.
3) crack your windows and run your fan. will cool your house but you might wanna make sure you dont get to cold. "
I'm not worried about being too cold at this point lol So if i have my balcony door open abit and run 'fan only' on my a/c it will be ok? Sorry it's not my ac as I'm in a apt so I dont want to kur****le it lol You are blessed with some good head knowledge as all who learn good trades
Fondue
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1240

Fondue
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1240

..
5/28/2021 at 2:17 PM

hogie87 said "it is not recommend to run an ac below 15c as it will cause damage to the compressor, which is very expensive. there are mutiple ways of getting around this.
1) you can install a low ambient shut off will not let ac run unless temp is above 15C most common option very inexpensive some ac are already equipped with them from factory.
2) you can install a low ambient kit on the ac. come with a crank case heater and a head pressure control. more expensive used on commercial applications.
3) crack your windows and run your fan. will cool your house but you might wanna make sure you dont get to cold. "
Really? I've been running my A/C when it is way below 15 degree celcius for years and have no problem.
fargobob

Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3711

fargobob
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3711

A/C
5/28/2021 at 3:05 PM

The idea of not running an air conditioner at low temps is that the common refrigerants that are used these days turn from a gas to a liquid at temps near 0* C. If the refrigerant has turned to a liquid and the compressor starts up, serious damage can result. Some systems (such as automotive A/C) have low pressure / low temp. switches to prevent the compressor from engaging. My experience is mainly automotive A/C so I don't know how likely a household system is to have that protection.
Woody94
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 661

Woody94
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 661

-
5/28/2021 at 3:48 PM

Ours runs all winter. Granted it is an ac and heat pump so I am not sure whether it has the same coolant as a standard ac unit. Makes heat down to -18.