I've got an older LG window air conditioner that I installed back in 2012, and I'm wondering if I can leave it running during the colder months. A few people told me it'll break the compressor if I try to use it below 60°F, but I'm not sure if that's actually true or just a myth.
Running an AC unit below 60°F can actually damage the compressor, so your friends are onto something real here. The issue is that the refrigerant gets too thick in cold temperatures, which makes the compressor work way harder than it's designed to and can cause it to fail. Most window units aren't made to handle winter operation, so it's better to just uninstall yours or at least cover it up during colder months. If you need heating, a space heater or your building's heating system is way safer than trying to repurpose an AC unit.
The compressor concern is real, but the bigger risk most people overlook is moisture damage inside the unit. Window ACs pull humidity from inside, and in winter when outdoor temps drop below 60°F, that condensation can freeze on the coils and in the drainage system, which corrodes metal parts way faster than the refrigerant thickening does. Your 2012 LG probably doesn't have a low-temperature cutoff either, so it'll happily keep running and making things worse. Best move is just taking it out for the season - the hassle of removal and reinstallation is way cheaper than replacing internal components or dealing with mold growth if moisture gets trapped in there for months.
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