Can you use an extension cord to plug in an air conditioning unit?

You can use a heavy-duty extension cord for your new appliance if you need immediate relief from the heat.It's important that the air conditioner you choose is heavy enough to handle the load.A 10-gauge cord is even safer than a 14-gauge one because it can handle that much current without overheating.

Extension cords should only be used with an air conditioner.In hot weather, the fire danger posed by melting plugs and receptacles gets worse.When covered by carpeting or taped to the wall, extension cords can get dangerously hot, but if you leave them uncovered, they become tripping dangers.

The manufacturer's warranty on the air conditioner may be voided if you use an extension cord.Extension cords are a leading cause of fire and death.You should replace the cord if the unit is permanent.

To properly size your extension cord, you need to know how much power your air conditioner consumes, which is on a label affixed to the appliance.Between 900 and 1,500 watt is the average for a window air conditioner.You have to convert the wattage to current because extension cords are rated by the number of Amps they can handle.If you divide by the label's 120 volts, you can do this.

The current for a 1,500 watt unit is 12.5 Amps.An extension cord with a 14-guage can handle that amount of current, but remember that an air conditioner draws more current when it starts up.It's safer to use a 12-gauge cord if you want to prevent poor performance.

A 12-gauge heavy-duty extension cord can be found in the electrical section of a hardware store, but not in a general-purpose store such as a pharmacy.The cords in the stores are not safe for air conditioners.Be sure to choose a three-prong extension cord for most air conditioner cords.In the event of a power surge or ground fault, it's important to keep the ground connection intact.

To prevent the cord from being damaged by furniture legs and vacuum cleaners, and to keep it away from children and pets, you should attach it to the top of the baseboards.Wrap the junction between the air conditioner cord and extension cord with electrical tape to keep it from splitting, and use a cord that's just long enough to make the connection.Do not place the cord in doorways, windows or along parts of the floor.