It's almost Summer - Time to Turn on the Power to Your Air Conditioner

Summer is almost upon us. It’s time to take the cover off the dust off and fire up the Air Conditioner (A/C). But before you flick the little switch on the thermostat from heat to cool, here’s a little warning. 

                       
You decide when to turn on your A/C based on the outside humidity and temperatures, but at least 24 hours before using your air conditioner.  

Usually the electrical power is turned off to the A/C in the fall or when you know you will no longer being using the A/C.  This is done because there is a heater built into the outdoor compressor unit  of your air conditioner. It is pointless and wasteful to leave it powered all winter. You also risk burning out the heating element. It is costly to replace and critical for starting up your air conditioner next summer.

The compressor is the heart of your A/C that is designed to pump gas. There is a heater built into the compressor called a crankcase heater.  The crankcase heater is normally on all the time, even when the unit is not running, though temperature sensors and set points may turn it off when not needed. A crankcase heater's sole purpose is to prevent refrigerant migration and mixing with crankcase oil when the unit is off, and to prevent condensation of refrigerant in the crankcase of a compressor. The crankcase heater keeps refrigerant at a temperature higher than the coldest part of the system.

Over the winter, the refrigerant in your system will combine with the oil in your compressor. The heater separates the refrigerant from the oil and boils the refrigerant into a gas -- something the compressor can is designed to do. You can seriously damage a compressor if you ask it to compress a liquid. By turning the power on 24 hours in advance, you give the heater time to work. 

Compressors Image Copyright Carson Dunlop

Turn on the power to your air conditioner at the breaker at the main electrical panel (should be clearly labelled) or outside shut-off  which is close the to the outdoor unit 24 hours before using your air conditioner.  Make sure it is turned on as well at both places (inside electrical and outside shut-off)

A/C breaker clearly labelled at the electrical panel

TIPS  
1. You run the risk of damaging your A/C by operating it before you have it serviced. It's always a good idea to arrange for service before the first heat wave.  

2. Never use your air conditioner when the outside temperature is below 65°F (18°C). You can damage the compressor.  
                       
3. Your humidifier duct damper on the furnace is most likely in the open position from the winter months. Now is the time to move it to the closed position. This makes your A/Cr run more efficiently. 

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