Air conditioner question

[Nocturnal]

Is it bad to run the a/c for a short period of time then shut it off to go and do something then come back half hour later and turn it back on? Will this decrease its life cycle?

 

[Oger]

Negative, turning it off then back on within a few minutes is harmful.

 

[Conky]

I don't think it matters.

This post reminds me that I gotta take my window unit out and store it for the winter... we have central air but with my computer and me in this tiny room it just gets too warm in the summer. Best $75 I ever spent. 🙂

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Oger
Negative, turning it off then back on within a few minutes is harmful.

Same thing in the car? I can't turn on the ac full blast, turn it off, then turn it back on?

 

[Oger]

Negative, vehicle A/C uses a belt driven from the crankshaft pulley, turning it on and off repeatedly will have no effect on it, a home A/C on the other hand has a hermetically sealed motor driven compressor, when turned off there is a liquid and gas build up which over a short period of time will equalize itself throughout the system, if you turn it off and immediately turn it back on the compressor cannot pump the liquid, thus the thermal shutdown switch will activate and cut the juice to prevent damage to the compressor motor, once the switch cools down, it will click back on and cycle like this until the refrigerant pressures equalize.

 

[Analog]

your car AC comes on when you use the defrost anyway.