How to Shift an AC, Fridge, Washing Machine and TV When Moving House

Move a fridge upright, defrosted and empty, and let it stand before switching it on. Lock a front-load washing machine drum with its transit bolts and drain the water. Have a technician recover the gas into a split AC's outdoor unit before it is taken down. Carry a TV upright in its box or in foam and a rigid carton.

Appliances are the items most often damaged in a move, and most of that damage comes from skipping the preparation the day before. Here is what to do for each one.

Can a fridge be transported lying down?

It is best not to. A refrigerator should travel upright, because laying it flat lets compressor oil run into the cooling lines. If there is no other way, lay it on its side, never on its back, keep the journey short, and stand it upright for several hours before you switch it on. Manufacturers give their own standing time, so check the manual for your model.

1. The day before: empty it, switch it off and leave the doors open so it defrosts and dries. Wipe out the water.
2. Remove what can move: glass shelves, trays and door racks. Wrap them separately.
3. Secure the doors with tape or stretch film over a cloth, so the tape does not mark the finish.
4. Wrap the body in foam or blankets and corrugated sheet, with extra padding on the corners and the coil at the back.
5. After delivery: place it, level it, wait, then switch on. Let it cool before loading food.

How do I shift a washing machine?

Drain it completely and lock the drum. A front-load machine has transit bolts that hold the drum still; they came with the machine and screw into the back panel. Moving a front-loader without them can damage the suspension.

1. Run a drain or spin cycle, then close the tap and disconnect the inlet hose.
2. Lower the drain hose into a bucket to empty the last of the water. Open the filter cap at the bottom front if your model has one.
3. Fit the transit bolts on a front-load machine. If you have lost them, the brand's service centre can supply a set.
4. On a top-load machine, pack the space around the drum with towels or foam so it cannot swing.
5. Tape the lid or door shut, bag the hoses and tape the bag to the machine.
6. Keep the machine upright in the vehicle. Remove the transit bolts before the first wash at the new home.

How do I shift a split AC from one house to another?

A split AC needs a trained technician at both ends. Before the pipes are disconnected, the refrigerant is collected into the outdoor unit, a step technicians call pump-down. If that is skipped the gas escapes, and the AC has to be regassed after refitting.

• Before the move: book the uninstallation a day or two ahead, not on moving day morning. Ask the technician to seal the pipe ends and valve ports.
• Packing: the indoor unit goes in bubble wrap and a rigid carton. The outdoor unit travels upright, with the fins protected by corrugated sheet.
• At the new home: check where the outdoor unit can be mounted and how long the pipe run is. A longer run means extra copper pipe, insulation and drain pipe.
• Refitting: the technician should vacuum the lines and check the gas pressure before starting the unit.

A window AC is simpler: unplug it, slide it out with two people, drain any water in the base tray and carry it upright.

Uninstalling and refitting an AC is a technician's job, separate from packing and transport. Ask your mover whether it is included, and have the answer written into the quotation.

How should a TV be packed for shifting?

Keep it upright and protect the screen from pressure. The original box with its foam is the best packing there is. Without it, cover the screen with a soft sheet, add foam and corner protectors, and use a rigid carton or a wooden crate for large screens.

• Photograph the cable connections at the back before unplugging.
• Remove the stand or wall bracket and bag the screws, labelled.
• Never lay a flat-screen TV face down or stack anything against the screen.
• Carry remotes, set-top box and streaming devices yourself.

Our fragile packing guide covers glass, mirrors and crockery in the same detail.

What about the geyser, water purifier, microwave and gas stove?

When can I switch appliances back on after the move?

Give compressor appliances time to settle. A fridge that travelled upright can usually be switched on after a short rest; one that was tilted or laid down needs longer, as the manual states. An AC should be started only after the technician has checked the gas pressure. A washing machine is ready once the transit bolts are out and the machine is level.

In the monsoon, wipe appliances dry and let them reach room temperature before plugging in. Our monsoon shifting guide covers waterproof packing.

What does appliance shifting cost?

Inside a full house move, appliances are part of the packing and transport price and are listed on the inventory. Moving one or two appliances on their own is priced as a small move; see single item shifting. Technician work such as AC removal and refitting, extra pipe or gas refilling is charged by the technician or brand service centre and depends on the unit and the pipe length.

Whoever does the work, get each appliance and each technician job listed line by line in the written quotation. The cost calculator gives a starting figure for the move itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Manufacturer user manuals for your refrigerator, washing machine and air conditioner, which state the standing time, transit bolt and reinstallation instructions for each model
• Multishift packing and unpacking page and single item shifting page, checked 14 October 2026