Why do the air conditioners turn on when it's freezing?

[WinkOsmosis]

I live in an apartment complex and there are 4 AC units outside my window. I was trying to go to sleep listening to some Pink Floyd last night when one went on. I was angry, had a fever, and was liable to go outside and cut the hoses... Then a few minutes later the other joined in! It was below freezing and some schmucks had the AC on!!

 

[BatmanNate]

Because you touch yourself at night.

 

[SackOfAllTrades]

Heater

EDIT: AND because you touch yourself at night.

 

[Evadman]

Heat pump not AC.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: SackOfAllTrades
Heater

Yep - run in reverse an air conditioner acts as a heater down to low/mid 30's.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Wow! So they take heat from the outside and bring it in.. What happens when the heat transfer thing freezes over?

 

[Zenmervolt]

That and it's good practice to run A/C units for a little bit each month to keep everything lubricated.

ZV

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
I live in an apartment complex and there are 4 AC units outside my window. I was trying to go to sleep listening to some Pink Floyd last night when one went on. I was angry, had a fever, and was liable to go outside and cut the hoses... Then a few minutes later the other joined in! It was below freezing and some schmucks had the AC on!!

Were you on acid too? I heard a lot of people do acid when they listen to Pink Floyd

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
I live in an apartment complex and there are 4 AC units outside my window. I was trying to go to sleep listening to some Pink Floyd last night when one went on. I was angry, had a fever, and was liable to go outside and cut the hoses... Then a few minutes later the other joined in! It was below freezing and some schmucks had the AC on!!

Were you on acid too? I heard a lot of people do acid when they listen to Pink Floyd

Yes

 

[sharkeeper]

Wow! So they take heat from the outside and bring it in.. What happens when the heat transfer thing freezes over?

Defrost cycle. Outdoor fan operation is suspended and reversing valve engages so the unit is functioning is an A/C. This makes the outdoor coil a condensor. Without the fan running, the head pressure increases during the cycle and the ice/frost melts. To prevent cold air discharge to the conditioned space, a strip heater or auxilliary heat is active during the defrost cycle.

Cheers!

 

[BornStar]

I've considered running the A/C more than once during the winter. It's well below freezing outside and it's 80 in here without the heat on.

 

[sharkeeper]

I've considered running the A/C more than once during the winter. It's well below freezing outside and it's 80 in here without the heat on.

The economiser is your friend!

Cheers!

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: BornStar18
I've considered running the A/C more than once during the winter. It's well below freezing outside and it's 80 in here without the heat on.

Open a window.

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: BornStar18
I've considered running the A/C more than once during the winter. It's well below freezing outside and it's 80 in here without the heat on.

Open a window.

I do but then it drops to 40 which is too cold, even for me. I just want to be able to regulate the temperature which seems to be impossible in this place. Thank goodness I'm moving after this semester.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: BornStar18

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: BornStar18
I've considered running the A/C more than once during the winter. It's well below freezing outside and it's 80 in here without the heat on.

Open a window.

I do but then it drops to 40 which is too cold, even for me. I just want to be able to regulate the temperature which seems to be impossible in this place. Thank goodness I'm moving after this semester.

open it only a little Part of the heat is probably your computer.

BTW, our heat pump, as in all cases, only works down to low 30's like I mentioned, and after that if it gets yet colder our emergency heat kicks in, which is based on gas.

 

[Zorro]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Heat pump not AC.

WERD