Protecting your air conditioner should be a top priority as winter approaches, and the temperatures drop. Winterizing your home equipment in preparation for the cold season builds a second layer of defense, protecting it from moisture damage and winter elements. It helps keep your AC in excellent working condition to ensure smooth performance during the following season, giving it high performance throughout the years. Here are some simple steps to ensure your unit functions properly during the following season.
Inspecting the Whole Unit
The first thing to do is to inspect your AC unit thoroughly. Ensure to take note of components that need servicing, like incessant leaking, rusted ends, cracked seals, and any irregularities, to avoid any damages in the future. You should not attempt to fix the problem alone since you could cause more harm than good if you are inexperienced. When any potential issues are spotted, it is advisable to contact a professional repair service to help deal with the problem.
Switch the Air Conditioner Off
Turning the AC unit off should be done before any maintenance task to avoid the danger of electrocution. Turn off the power supply to the unit when winter settles in. It means you shouldn’t just adjust the thermostat to a warmer temperature. The air conditioner has a dedicated switch for the power supply placed in a box attached to your house’s exterior wall. Flip the box containing the power switch and turn it off. The complete shutdown will ensure the air conditioner does not accidentally power on when there is a rise in temperature since the unit can draw water and get damaged.
Checking the Air Filter
If your air conditioner runs very often, it is crucial to clean the filter regularly to prevent a breakdown. The air filter prevents and protects the system from abrupt failure. Maintaining the air filters on your air conditioner involves either replacement or cleaning. During operation, the air filters get clogged, reducing the unit’s airflow, and causing reduced efficiency. Therefore, it is beneficial always to service the air filters during a season change. Changing the air filters also removes the pathogens and allergens, allowing clean air to flow during the next operation.
Cleaning the Air Conditioner
Removing the debris and dust around your air conditioner will ensure it runs more efficiently without strain. Many people consider this an unnecessary task; however, they incur substantial repair costs when the system suddenly stops working. Cleaning the indoor unit is done by removing the front panel and sliding it off the wall. Straighten the cooling fins using a fine comb to remove any buildup. Vacuum the rest of the components to finish the job.
On the outdoor unit, remove any debris around the unit before opening the outer enclosure. Use a soft brush attachment vacuum to clean the condenser fins carefully. Next, spray a coil cleaner outside the condenser unit and rinse it off using a hose after it has bonded with the dirt. Doing this just before winter will keep your air conditioning unit working efficiently during summer.
Check for Leaks
Standalone air conditioners have openings left in the windows and the walls. The open spaces in these AC units lead to heat loss which can be a significant issue, especially during winter. Insulating the wall air conditioner is essential to prevent unnecessary heat loss. Insulate the unit with a flexible foam material since it is malleable and can fit in various gaps or be stacked to fit more significant gaps. Use a measuring tape to measure the openings and cut the foam into strips of appropriate size. Close the gaps by inserting the foam strips and double-check for any gaps you may have missed. Secure the foam strips with duct tape to ensure they hold for a long time. The insulation efficiency is increased using duct tape, and cold air is kept from flowing through the unit.
Inspect the Ductwork
When cleaning the air vents in your home, ensure you inspect all the air ducts to check for possible leaks or worn-out insulation. Leaky ducts and inadequate insulation often lead to your air conditioner straining to heat your home, leading to increased bills. Use mastic and metal tape to seal the leaks in the air ducts. Insulate the vents outside the house with enough insulation material to curb heat loss. The exposed wiring and pipes going into your home will also require insulation. Use duct tape and foam insulation to prevent these pipes from freezing and bursting during winter.
Removing Window Air Conditioners
Window units leak a lot of hot air out of the house if they are not adequately insulated. In addition, during winter, snow piles on top of them, weighing them down and making them unstable, which could cause damage to your siding. If your window unit is installed in a position where snow can build up, it is advisable to remove the unit to ensure safety. An AC window unit that is not adequately secured could fall and harm anything underneath, with the unit getting damaged.
Schedule Check-Up Maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential and helps to avert technical problems and keeps your unit operating optimally. A change in season is an excellent time to plan for air conditioner maintenance and repairs since the system is no longer running. AC technicians will clean or replace the air filters, monitor the coolant level, clean the drains and AC coils and perform a thorough inspection. Annual maintenance can help to save a lot of money long term. Contact your repair service provider to prepare your air conditioner for winter as it saves you time and reduces the hassle.
Winter is a harsh season no matter where you are, and it takes a toll on your home appliances. Therefore, taking the necessary precautions to prepare your systems against the elements is essential. An air conditioner is a delicate and expensive machine; once damaged, it may never work the same. Once you follow the outlined steps, your air conditioner will stay in great shape during winter, allowing you to focus on heating. At the start of the warm season, your AC unit will be in top-notch condition and give you a more extended service. Davis & Green provides heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, installation, repair, and maintenance services. Other services include heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, boilers, radiant heating, indoor air quality, furnaces, water heaters, pipe repair, leak detection, toilet, faucet, and shower installation. We also offer garbage disposals, sump pumps and sewer services, backup generators, EV charging stations, appliances, smoke alarms, CO testing, and whole-home rewiring. Contact Davis & Green for more information about the services we offer.
