A friend of mine mentioned that after laying my fridge on its side or back, that I need to let it sit for several hours before plugging it in.
In the discussion, he said that it was to allow the lubricants and refrigerants settle back toward the compressor so that it doesn't dry-pump, causing potential damage.
Now this does make a degree of sense, but is this actually necessary or standard practice? I've moved many times in my life and I can't think of a single time that we've ever done that… so is it actually needed?
I doubt it makes any large difference, but I have a Frigidaire that is about 5 years old.
Best Answer
As a certified HVAC person I can tell you it might work after standing back up and plugging in but depending on the system the oil drains from the compressor. On many units it takes time to make its way back to the compressor (if it can at all). I have seen brand new window AC units that were shipped on their side and turned on after several hours that blew the breaker. The oil went into the coils, and because of the design, the oil was trapped enough so when the unit was plugged in it destroyed the compressor.