While running an air conditioning unit is great in the summer, it is not a good idea during the winter months. That said, this theory does depend on the country live in. For example, winter in Asia generally till requires aircon. Therefore, a better way to present this question is ‘what is the real cost of running the home air conditioning during cold months? However, let’s begin with the cost of using aircon in warmer winter climates such as in Asia and Australia.
How much will it cost to run my aircon in warmer winter climates?
If we are comparing running an aircon unit in 30-to-40 Celsius/86-to-104 Fahrenheit of weather versus 15- to-25 Celsius/59-to-77 Fahrenheit in a warm winter climate, then the key factor in cost here is the power output of your aircon unit.
In fact, it goes without saying. Your aircon uses more energy from your electric grid when turned down to a low temperature, and needless to say, less energy when turned up high. Therefore, your winter aircon bills should you decide to use it, will likely be half of the cost of using it in the summer.
How much will it cost to run my aircon in cold weather?
The simple answer is that your aircon should be reasonably cheap to use as you have the help of the cool air outside. Most people will use their aircon in the winter as an air filtration system. The aircon in this case is usually turned up to a high temperature to reduce costs, however, you would be better off using a purpose-built air purifier.
Another reason people may use aircon in the winter is to cool down a room with a heated swimming pool. Also, there are workplaces with hot furnaces or equipment that heat up. However, that’s an entirely different subject, while this guide focuses mostly on residential aircon users.
Another point to make. Sometimes you may feel like using your aircon just to quickly cool down a room with a hot fire or quickly cool down an overheard room, however, it is better to simply open a window and let the cold air in. By doing this, you save the costs of turning your aircon on, plus, without stating the obvious, cold air coming from outside is free!
Using your aircon in extremely cold weather could cost you a new compressor
Firstly, you have to determine what extreme cold weather is. Then you need to understand the issues of doing so. Running an air conditioner in the icy or snowy winter can cause irreversible damage to its compressor.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that the oil in the AC compressor can freeze during the winter. This is one of the key causes of the compressor being damaged and failing. With all this in mind, quite why you would be using your aircon in cold weather is strange indeed. Although there are special circumstances, most aircon owners will not use their devices in cold weather.
As a result, it is recommended to give your aircon a break during cold months, while in terms of cost, you may need to buy a new compressor or pay for repairs.
What happens if I want to use my aircon during cold months anyway?
If you do decide to use your air conditioning unit during the cold months, make sure you store it properly and protect it from the elements. You can store the unit outside if you want, but you should cover it with plastic sheeting or an insulated protective fabric.
While running an air conditioning unit during the winter may seem convenient, running it below 60 degrees Fahrenheit / 15 degrees Celsius is not recommended for the reasons mentioned above. It can cause damage to the air conditioning system, which will only lead to more problems in the summer. The outdoor unit of most air conditioners is designed to run only in warm weather, which means it may not work as well in cold weather.
If you have an outdoor air conditioning unit, you should check it regularly to see if it has ice on it. If it does, you should turn off the AC immediately to let it thaw out. Otherwise, you may cause damage to the AC by overriding the temperature sensor. That would result in yet another costly repair.