Must Air Conditioners Work Horizontally Only?

Condenser

• The condenser on an air conditioner is essentially a small electric motor. This motor works to condense the refrigerant inside the system, and has numerous moving parts. These parts require lubrication, and receive it via an oil reservoir that is attached to the condenser. If a condenser is turned on its side because the unit is not sitting properly, the oil reservoir may not feed the condenser properly, and component burnout and unit damage can occur.

Condensation

• Air conditioners dehumidify the air in addition to cooling it. As indoor air is blown across the cold copper coils filled with refrigerant, these coils "sweat." This sweat is the humidity, or evaporated water, that is present in the air. The sweat, or condensation, drips down in to a condensate pan and is drained outside the unit. If an air conditioner is turned on its side, this condensation will not drain properly and may damage internal components or leak back in to the home.

Ventilation

• Air conditioners have vents or grills on the sides of their case. This allows for sufficient air flow to enable heat exchange to occur, with heat from inside the home being dispersed outside. If an air conditioner is turned on its side, these vents are no longer properly directed, and will allow rain water to leak in to the unit's case and cause damage.

Structural Issues

• Air conditioners are designed to be situated in a specific orientation. As such, the case itself is designed to bear the weight of the unit on specific points. Additionally, internal components are secured to prevent shaking from side to side, but not necessarily to bear the weight of those components for a sustained period. For these reasons, an air conditioner should not be run when orientated improperly.