With the winter fast approaching, most homeowners aren’t concerned about cooling their homes. However, it is the last thing you want in the middle of summer to have an AC unit that refuses to start or doesn’t effectively cool your home. Despite spending most of their time indoors and outdoors, AC units still need special care during winter.
Maintaining your AC’s efficiency year-round requires winterizing it. The proper maintenance will ensure that your AC unit is protected during the winter and will run efficiently when needed. Having an annual inspection by professionals like the experts at Williams Comfort Air, completing necessary monthly maintenance, and prepping your system for winter, your AC will perform better for your home. Let’s take a closer look at a few tips for winterizing your air conditioning unit.
Disconnect AC Unit
Many homeowners forget to winterize their AC and fail to disconnect the power source when they don’t use it. Under a metal or plastic lid, you’ll likely find the AC electric disconnect switch. Be sure to flip it to the “off” position. To prevent the AC from accidentally starting on during surprisingly warm days during the colder seasons, turn the main panel breaker “off.” The AC should be turned off at the source rather than through the thermostat.
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Complete Cleaning
You should clean your AC unit before winterizing it to remove dirt, branches, debris, bugs, and bird droppings. To prevent mold or other growth, clean both the inside and outside. To avoid damage to your outside unit, ensure the area around it is clear. During winter storms, you don’t want overhanging branches or debris damaging your unit.
Change Filters
Dirt and allergens can enter your home through a clogged or dirty filter. Besides improving air quality directly, cleaning the filter keeps any leftover dirt from freezing and clogging your machine further. Replace a dirty filter with a fresh one if you’ve already cleaned it a few times.
Cover
If your unit has been running, dry it first of excess moisture. Upon completion, wrap the unit in tarps or vinyl covers designed for outdoor air conditioners. Ensure your covering is large enough to cover the entire unit.
Make sure the covering is secured using bungee cords or rope. You can use a brick or plywood to hold the tarp in place from above. Make sure the cover is wind- and rain-resistant, no matter your chosen method. When covered, condenser coils are protected from ice formation, snow accumulation, and debris accumulation. In the spring, the unit runs smoother and cleaner as a result.
Insulate the Pipes
Covering the outside of the unit is helpful, but the pipes and other parts of the unit also need to be taken care of. In response to freezing temperatures, pipes may freeze or burst if they are not protected.
Pipe covers made of foam work well, fitting snugly around the pipes and completely covering them. Use elbow-shaped covers on the corners of the pipes. The adhesive strip on the back of the foam covers should be removed, and the cover should be pressed onto the tube after it has been removed from the packaging.
Caring for your AC unit at the end of the summer season will help to keep it secure and protected during the harsh winter weather. Follow these tips to help you winterize your AC unit correctly.
