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

Question

It says "do not turn on side" on the box. Also, some guy at home depot said that if you turn it on its side that you can't use it for 8 hours because the freeon inside messes up. I don't understand, can someone explain to me how that works? What happens if you use the air conditioner anyway?

Thanks

Answer 1

The coolant and oil move within the unit by gravity and turning it on its side will cause this to flow improperly.  Running an air conditioner in this condition is a very good way to ruin it.  If an air conditioner is even mounted in window where it is not level it will cease to function properly.

I remember one time I sold a window unit to a friend, who then called me to complain it was not cooling.  I  went over to take a look and he had it in the window so it ws tilted down on the outside.  I just leveled it and it worked fine after that.

Has to be right side up and level.

Answer 2

just turn it on,,it will work okay. not a probllem. the salesman was wrong.

Answer 3

If it was not on it's side more than a few minuets it would be alright if it was a long time the oil will run out of the compressor  and it might run good but you have shortened  the life of the unit , you don't run your car without oil.

Answer 4

If it says don't turn it on it's side there is a reason.  an AC cools and removes humidity from air so water drains out of the AC you tip it on it's side you could end up with the water draining wrong and their goes your rug.