Many people don’t realize that the maintenance of their air conditioning systems should continue into the cold winter months. Even if the unit is not in use, ignoring this responsibility can have severe consequences and lead to your air conditioner failing when you do need it in the summer. In fact, there are several steps you should take to ensure the safety and health of your AC system.
Disconnect Your AC
One thing you should consider is disconnecting your air conditioner from its power source completely. This will stop a situation in which your air conditioner is accidentally switched on during the winter. Doing so can have disastrous consequences. It could lead to different components in your unit freezing.
Clean Your AC
Before the winter and even during it, you should make an effort to clean your AC. Dirt, leaves, sticks, debris, and more should not be anywhere near the unit or even simply around it. Clean up this mess. Doing so could prevent a dangerous moisture buildup from happening in your unit. You have to be careful. Such debris could also be a big issue when you do start using your AC again when it gets warmer.
Cover It
Many people cover things like their car or even their grill during the winter. Far fewer people, unfortunately, cover their air conditioners. Doing so can have significant benefits. However, you need to be careful with the cover you choose. The wrong cover could trap in moisture during the winter, and that would be bad for your unit. Instead, choose a cover made of more breathable material that is designed for air conditioners. It should also be advertised as waterproof for the most effectiveness.
Remove Snow and Inspect for Ice
When the snow does fall, you should make an effort to remove snow that has accumulated on top of your unit. Similarly, ice buildups should also be safely removed. This should be done with either a brush or a broom. Do not use sharper tools that could damage your unit. While the cover should help with this, ensure the buildup on top of it does not get too significant.
Insulate Piping
Lastly, you should ensure that any piping that extends from your external unit to your internal unit inside your home is well insulated. Any copper piping should have foam insulation installed around it. Check to see if that is the case and whether or not any of that insulation needs to be tightened, repaired, or replaced. Duct tape, for example, can be used to re-secure portions that have become too loose.
If you live in or near Monroe, LA and need HVAC preventative maintenance performed, please hire our company, Gordon AC & Plumbing, for the job. We have over 20 years of experience in the field and can help to properly winterize your entire HVAC system so you don’t have to worry this year about something going wrong.
