Will an Air Conditioner Work if It Is Cold Outside?

Thermostat Limits

• Air conditioner units have limits to their thermostat settings. The low end of the thermostat peaks out at approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit for most units, so if the weather outside is colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, opening a window to allow the outside air to cool the room is more efficient. If the weather is a little warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, press the down directional button on the air conditioner unit's front panel or on the remote control to turn the thermostat down. The air conditioner will cool the air until the room's temperature reaches the thermostat setting.

Frozen Coils

• If you choose to use the air conditioner when the weather is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the condensation might accumulate and then freeze on the cooling element inside the unit. When the coils freeze over, the air flowing through the unit fails to cool, though you might still feel air blowing through the louvers. A frozen unit might cause damage to the unit if left unattended. Allow the unit to defrost or thaw by turning up the thermostat and switching the fan to a higher speed, which allows warm air to flow through the coils, melting the ice buildup. Turn the unit off, and allow it to thaw naturally if you don't want the fan to run. The unit should be completely melted after one hour.

Heat

• Some air conditioners feature a heat element and thermostats that can be set up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn on the "Heat" feature to allow the unit to produce warm air to combat the cold weather outside. Press the "Mode" button until you reach the "Heat" mode. Set the desired heating temperature on the thermostat by pressing the up directional button until you reach the desired setting.

Vent

• When the weather is very cold outside and you would just like to let some of it into the room, open the air conditioner vent. Turn the "Fan Only" function on to circulate some of the outside air into the room. The vent allows an opening from the room to the outside through the air conditioner and is used to expel stagnant air from the room and bring in fresh air.