Winters in Panama City may be wonderfully mild, but at night the temperatures can drop to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Once in a great while they can even go below freezing, but problems can begin when the temperatures dip beneath 60 degrees. This is why HVAC professionals warn against turning on your air conditioner when temperatures get that low. However, a dropping temperature is not the only way that a Florida winter can challenge your air conditioner.
Watch for These Concerns
In addition to temperature fluctuations, Panama City also gets a good amount of rain during the winter, which can also be problematic. Here are some other dilemmas caused by chilly weather if you decide to run your AC in the winter.
Overworked Compressor
Cold temperatures thicken the lubricant in your compressor, which is already heavy grade. This can make the compressor strain so much that it overheats and may even fail.
Frozen Coils
The coils of a poorly maintained air conditioner can freeze even during hot weather. When winter rain falls onto the coils and freezes, it can damage or even destroy them.
Flooding Refrigerant
When it gets below a certain temperature, the AC can no longer pull in enough heat to turn the refrigerant to gas. As a result , the refrigerant will flood the AC’s compressor and destroy it.
Rust
Winter rain can cause rust on your AC unit, and this can also impair how it works.
Ice and Debris Blocking the Vents
There might be some nights when ice forms and blocks the condenser vents. Unless the ice is removed, this can lead to overheating. Debris such as falling leaves can also block airflow, but you’ll make sure to keep the area around your AC condenser clear.
What You Can Do to Protect Your AC in Winter
Fortunately, there are things you can do to give your AC some protection. You’ll need to keep the unit and the area around it clean. Have an HVAC professional inspect it before the heating season.
You might also want to tightly cover the AC unit, but this is actually a mistake. Tight covers, especially plastic ones, trap moisture and contribute to corrosion and rust. The thing to do to protect the unit from debris and ice is to just put a plywood plank over it. You or your HVAC professional should also make sure that the AC can properly drain.
One benefit of living in a mild climate is there will probably be days that are above 60 degrees F. On those days you can run the AC. This allows lubricant to circulate and lets the AC run smoothly when it’s needed during spring and summer.
Get in Touch With Us for AC Service
Even a few hours of lower-than-normal temperatures can wreak havoc with your air conditioner. If you find that your AC needs repair when winter is over, don’t hesitate to call our team of HVAC professionals at Ridge Heating & Air Conditioning in Panama City, FL.
