Throw breaker on AC in winter?

[toughguy]

Someone suggested I do this years ago and I always have. Anyone else do it? Are there any any advantages or disadvantages?

[CAMAN]

I always have. Main reason I do it is because if, in the off chance, snow gets blown into the circuitry compartment it's less of a chance of a short and major damage being done to the unit.

I once heard somewhere that AC units have some sort of block heater, or something like that, that runs continuously and uses a lot of power and this is the reason for shutting off the breaker. I did some research and didn't find anything that confirmed that, and I'm thinking it pertains to commercial sized units. But could be wrong.

[JohnMickish]

I don't, and never have. Being in the industry I don't see a reason to. If snow or blowing rain is something that worries you, I'd worry more about the outside receptacles than the AC disconnect.

I'm not saying that there aren't units out there with a heater, but I've never seen one. maybe a AC guy can chime in on it.

[CAMAN]

I don't, and never have. Being in the industry I don't see a reason to. If snow or blowing rain is something that worries you, I'd worry more about the outside receptacles than the AC disconnect.

Outside receptacles are what, $2 a piece and completely sealed with foam rubber and running on 120 volt. The control board for an AC unit runs on 220 volts, is probably $200+, and housed in a bottomless sheet metal box that prevents rain from getting in, but has no protection from blowing snow being pushed in. I'd say the 5 seconds it takes to flip the breaker on the panel is worth it.

[cavalierowner]

I've always turned off the breaker. The first time I ever had A/C installed in a house, the HVAC guy recommended it and I have done it ever since.

[Ufatz]

Why?

Did he explain WHY you should flip breaker off?

Been wracking my brain and I can't come up with a reason to do it!

But then.....I'm not an AC or home wiring expert either.

[chasineyes]

I always have. Main reason I do it is because if, in the off chance, snow gets blown into the circuitry compartment it's less of a chance of a short and major damage being done to the unit.

I once heard somewhere that AC units have some sort of block heater, or something like that, that runs continuously and uses a lot of power and this is the reason for shutting off the breaker. I did some research and didn't find anything that confirmed that, and I'm thinking it pertains to commercial sized units. But could be wrong.

I read the same thing in my FamilyHandyman magazine about a year ago. Not sure if it was a heater or thermostat regulator thing, but I definitly read an article on this subject.

[MNice]

I can't see any advantage or disadvantage. But really.... if you feel more comfortable just flip the breaker, you can't do any harm until you forget to flip it back next summer. I would not over think this....

[toughguy]

I think I'll throw the breaker again this year. Sounds like I'm not harming anything by doing so. I'm more than happy to turn that hog off. BRING ON THE ICE!!!!

[SkunkedAgain]

More importantly, throw an old piece of plywood over the top and put a brick over it. You'll save a lot more potential damage covering the top than turning off the power, but of course you can do both too!

[toughguy]

I heard that one too. I've also been told never to tarp it up completely. It causes issues with condensation

[cavalierowner]

Why?

Did he explain WHY you should flip breaker off?

Been wracking my brain and I can't come up with a reason to do it!

But then.....I'm not an AC or home wiring expert either.

Nope, he didn't say why. But I have heard some people say that it's hard on the compressor to run it in the winter. But then "some people" don't always know what they're talking about either; kind of like the elusive "they" LOL At any rate, I can't see that it hurts anything to turn off the breaker, so I do. That way no chance of small fingers accidently tuning on the A/C at the t-stat.

[JohnMickish]

It's not going to hurt anything, but the compressor isn't going to run unless you turn on the AC.

[hanson]

More importantly, throw an old piece of plywood over the top and put a brick over it. You'll save a lot more potential damage covering the top than turning off the power, but of course you can do both too!

I just had my furnace and A/C replaced and my guy told me the exact same thing. Actually said all the repairmen are laughing to the bank when they see condensers with the covers around them.

So I built a 2x4 frame w/ plywood on top that fits perfectly over the top. Heavy enough that I think I won't need to add any additional weight to hold it down.

[zent]

It won't hurt anything to turn it off at the breaker. If by chance your t-stat got switched to A/C during the winter and it was left that way long enough for the delay to time out and your condensing unit (compressor) tried to start it is possible to cause the compressor to fail. It will not start well when it is cold out due to the refrigeration oil in the crankcase being very thick. Most residential condensing units do not have crankcase heaters on them to allow them to run in the winter like commercial outdoor refrigeration units do.