Can You Lay A Portable AC Unit On Its Side?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do not place the unit on its side or upside down

. This placement could cause damage to the mounting of the . If on its side or back for more than a day, leave in upright position and unplugged for 24 hours.

What happens if you lay an air conditioner on its side?

When an air conditioner is turned on its side, this

oil settles on the bottom half of the compressor and potentially deprives part of the compressor of oil

, which can lead to damage and, eventually, compressor burnout. A sideways orientation can also damage the compressor mounting, which can affect operation.

Can I transport a portable AC units be laid down?


It can be laid on the side

but needs to be upright for 24 hours before powered on otherwise it will damage the compressor.

Do portable air conditioners need to be transported upright?

If it has been necessary to transport the portable air conditioner on its side,

it should be stood upright for an equal amount of time as it was on its side before plugging it

in. If it was on its side for more than a day, leave standing for 24 hours before running.

How long should a portable air conditioner sit before turning it on?

starting the compressor without the oil can damage it. the

8 hours

allows the oil to resettle back into the compressor. when moving the unit from room to room you are fine to plug it in right away, just don't tip it upside down while moving it.

Where should I store my portable air conditioner?

The best place for your portable air conditioner is

inside

, where it's protected from the elements. Avoid any areas where temperatures might drop below freezing. Any residual water inside the air conditioner might freeze and cause damage. Closets, under stairs, and basements are good.

Do portable air conditioners produce water?

All portable air conditioners

produce condensation as they are cooled

. This water is then contained in an internal water reservoir or drained through a hose. On all of our models, this water reservoir has an auto shutoff feature so that water is never accidentally spilled onto the ground.

Can you put an AC unit in a window that opens sideways?

If you have a window that slides open from left to right, and a regular window air conditioner,

don't install the appliance in the window by turning it on its side

. Running the appliance this way will quickly burn out the compressor, which is located inside the unit.

How do you move a portable air conditioner?

  1. Step 1:to move a portable AC unit, unplug and drain. …
  2. Step 2: Detach your portable AC unit, very carefully, and place on a dolly. …
  3. Step 3: find a way to seal up your window again. …
  4. Step 4: pack the portable AC unit in the moving truck. …
  5. Step 5: reinstall your portable air conditioner after moving.

How do you carry an air conditioner?

PUT IT ON WHEELS Invest in a

hand truck

with large pneumatic tires that won't scratch the bullnose on the treads on the way down. Place the AC on the truck with the grille facing out to prevent it from cracking, and hold it in place tightly with rope or ratcheting straps as you walk it down.

Is it OK to store an air conditioner on its side?

Storing an air conditioner on its side or back can damage the compressor. … If you must store an air conditioner on its side,

let it rest in the upright position for an hour before turning it on next year

. This will allow the oil in the unit a chance to resettle before use.

Is it OK to run a portable air conditioner continuously?

The short answer is that

you can run your portable air conditioner continuously without much issue

. As long as you clean the air filters and empty the condensate tank, you can pretty much run your air conditioner all season long.

What happens if you don't let an air conditioner settle?


Problems could emerge

if you allow the air conditioner to keep running even if it wasn't allowed to settle though. The longer the unit keeps going, the more damage the compressor could potentially sustain. It would be best to turn it off immediately if you knew it wasn't allowed to settle long enough.

Should you let your AC rest?

It's not too great for the environment, either, and you could quickly wear down your air conditioner and require a replacement before you know it. From time to time, it's important to give your air conditioner a break.

Let the components have a rest

so that you can keep your equipment longer.

Can I store a portable air conditioner in the garage?


It's best not to store your air conditioner

in an outdoor garage or anywhere else that might be subject to freezing temperatures. Outdoor storage areas can also be vulnerable to pests such as rodents and insects, which can chew through the box and get dirt, bacteria and feces inside of the air conditioning unit.

Can portable AC units freeze?

The second reason your portable air conditioner may not be venting air is

frost on

the cooling coils, also known as the evaporator coils. This happens when the low temperatures around the coils cause water to condense. If the water doesn't drain properly, it can build up and freeze around the coils, hampering air flow.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.