Should I disconnect power to A/C unit for the winter?

[Huck]

Hi: I just had a Lennox G61V HE furnace and Lennox XC14 A/C unit installed and I was wondering if power to the compressor outside should be turned off at the circuit breaker for the winter. Also the manual says that "if the A/C compressor unit is equipped with a crankcase heater,it should be energized 24 hours before unit start-up to prevent compressor damage as a result of slugging". How do I know if my unit has this crankcase heater?. Should the power be turned off to the unit for the winter regardless? Thanks, Huck

[hugh]

Yes. Follow your manual.

I was told by two guys in HVAC to do this so I always turn off my A/C at the panel in the fall and turn it on for 24 to 48 hours before starting it.

[TKG26]

ITs always best to shut them off for the winter:
-save power(if crank case heater is present it will be powered all winter)
-protect compressor from possible turn over in freezing temps. units may not have a low ambient to protect it.

A lot of times there is a low ambient that will prevent operation below 55F but shut it off is best practice.

[Huck]

Thanks! I was planning on shutting it down over the winter anyway, but, just for my information, how do I find out if my A/C unit has this crankcase heater? Thanks, Huck

[hdguy20060207]

I cover my AC unit, and flip the breaker. If it ever were to come on while it was
covered, then that could do lots of damage.
I never heard about a heater though, mine is a lennox installed in 2006.

[TKG26]

Huck your manual may say you have one, but the only way to know for sure is to look at the wiring diagram. And even then you may have to physically look at the wiring to see you have indeed have one.

Its unlikely that you have one though.

HDGUY: I saw a 2 year old unit get replaced because someone forgot to remove there cover before turning on the unit! yikes i think they said it ran for a few days before it they called us in and to my surprice the poor condensor unit was still wrapped up from winter,,