Is it harmful to your air conditioner if the ultility company turns it off and on?

Question

We signed up for the local utility-controlled demand reduction program that allows the home central A/C be turned off for a time. We have since heard rumors that this can shorten the life of the system. Is this true?

Answer 1

Just make sure there is  time between them turning it off and on.  Otherwise there should be no problem.

If your ac unit starts acting up though, get it checked out right away and take away the ability of someone else turning it off.

Answer 2

Very little danger of a problem with this setup. This has been done for years and was researched for quite some time before it was rolled out. It's safe for your equipment, the utility company usually gives you a discount and it save you some on your bill.

Answer 3

Honeywell works with the power company normally to achieve this.I am not a fan of it just because I like to be in total control of when my a/c cycles on or off.From what I understand about it ,there is no danger of short cycling the comressor.Which would be detrimental to the life expectancy of your compressor.

Answer 4

As long as they don't turn it off and right back on. It should be just fine. They interrupt the power with a relay as would your Thermostat anyway. there is a limit to number of cycles off and on in a short period of time but they will leave it on and off long enough not to worry.