yet another HVAC question tonight. Actually 2 questions.

[space-time]

We have a central furnace with gas as a source of heat, and a compressor outside for AC in the summer.

first question: should I run the AC in the winter, maybe 10 minutes per week or so? I think I read somewhere (maybe my car manual?) that I should run the AC even in the winter (occasionally) since the "freon" also lubricates the compressor. Is that also true for these house AC units?

second question: in late spring or early fall when it's maybe 50F outside and I want a little heat in the house, I think it would be more economical to run the AC in reverse as a Heat Pump, rather than burn natural gas. But there is no option on my thermostat for that. can I get it upgraded?

[C(-)ris]

space-time wrote:
I think I read somewhere (maybe my car manual?) that I should run the AC even in the winter (occasionally) since the "freon" also lubricates the compressor. Is that also true for these house AC units?

Your car AC should run when you turn on the defroster in the winter. No need to turn it to AC and freeze.

[Dick Moore]

Most AC units are cooling only. Unless it is actually designed as a bi-directional heat pump, you can't make it go backwards.

[davester]

C(-)ris wrote:

Your car AC should run when you turn on the defroster in the winter. No need to turn it to AC and freeze.

Many car defrosters do not automatically turn on the AC. This must be invoked manually.

[space-time]

C(-)ris wrote:
[quote=space-time]
I think I read somewhere (maybe my car manual?) that I should run the AC even in the winter (occasionally) since the "freon" also lubricates the compressor. Is that also true for these house AC units?

Your car AC should run when you turn on the defroster in the winter. No need to turn it to AC and freeze.
correct, it comes on automatically. I didn't mean to turn on the AC and pull the lever all the way to blue, you can leave the lever all the way to red to get a nice dry air. That's not what I was asking. I was asking if the "freon" also lubricates the AC compressor and if NOT using the compressor all winter is a bad idea.

[space-time]

Dick Moore wrote:
Most AC units are cooling only. Unless it is actually designed as a bi-directional heat pump, you can't make it go backwards.

good point, I think it also needs a special valve that reverses the flow of the "freon". I have seen similar units (same model) in a previous condo complex where there was no gas heat, so I know this outside unit can also work as a heat pump. I don't know if there is a valve, and if the inside furnace can handle it.

[Speedy]

Don't bother running the home air conditioner. It is designed to sit for long periods not running.

[modelamac]

Direct answers:

1. Not necessary. Central AC units don't require periodic running to function properly when needed.

2. No, you cannot upgrade a central AC unit to run backwards and provide heat. That is what heat pumps do. If that is what you want, get a heat pump. A heat pump cannot provide sufficient heat nor cooling beyond a certain temperature differential, so it will not be sufficient in hot or cold climates. They work best in moderate climates - those with smaller temperature variations year round.

[DP]

davester wrote:
[quote=C(-)ris]

Your car AC should run when you turn on the defroster in the winter. No need to turn it to AC and freeze.

Many car defrosters do not automatically turn on the AC. This must be invoked manually.
Only older cars. New models within about the past ten years turn on the compressor for defrosting.

[OWC Jamie]

DP wrote:
[quote=davester]
[quote=C(-)ris]

Your car AC should run when you turn on the defroster in the winter. No need to turn it to AC and freeze.

Many car defrosters do not automatically turn on the AC. This must be invoked manually.
Only older cars. New models within about the past ten years turn on the compressor for defrosting.
Too many of the less expensive systems in cars of the last decade don't even allow the option of turning off the AC in defrost mode.