Can You Turn an Air Conditioner on Its Side?

Bracing

• Air conditioners are designed in such a way that their weight keeps them installed in the window at the proper angle. Turning an air conditioner on its side and attempting to install it in a window can lead to damage to the window and, potentially, unit failure. Air conditioners are flared at their top to sit flush against the bottom of a double-hung window. When turned on their side, there is no such bracing.

Casing

• The casing or shell of an air conditioner is designed to take the weight of the unit on the bottom floor of the case. Consequently, this is the thickest area and the most internally reinforced. When turning an air conditioner on its side, the bulk of the weight of the unit is placed on the side walls, which are finned for ventilation and not designed for strength. This can cause damage to the case and internal components of the unit.

Condensation Leakage

• Air conditioners act as dehumidifiers as they cool. They remove humidity from indoor air and condense the water vapor into a condensation pan. This pan is under the coolant coils of the unit and relies on gravity to catch the dripping condensation. When a unit is turned on its side, condensation will not be caught by the pan and will damage the wall and window in which the unit is installed.

Internal Components

• The internal components within an air conditioner are mounted with the intention of their being run while the unit is lying flat. Heavy components such as condensers and compressors are mounted to prevent their moving around inside the case, not with the intention of them hanging by their mounts while running. Running an air conditioner while it is on its side is inviting trouble and, potentially, permanent unit damage and coolant leaks.