Dont Neglect Your Air Conditioner this Winter

As the crisp chill of autumn begins to float through the air, you know winter isn’t far behind. Now’s the time to take a few moments to prep your air conditioner for the off-season. Shutting down your AC as summer drifts away guards it against extreme winter weather that could decrease its life. A few easy steps are all it takes to prime your air conditioner for maximum efficiency come spring.

Deep Clean Your Air Conditioner

As the seasons change, your outdoor air conditioner can be filled with debris like fallen leaves and pine cones. This is the ideal time to wear your work gloves, clear away this debris and gently hose down the outdoor condensing unit. Make sure the outside temperature is comfortably above freezing before using the garden hose to clean out the unit. Then, remove any particularly uncooperative leaves or twigs that remain jammed in the nooks and crannies and perform a final sweep around the unit. This helps protect against winter winds from blowing debris back into or underneath your air conditioning system.

Maintain the AC Unit

If you overlooked scheduling seasonal air conditioning maintenance last spring, it’s still not too late! Arrange to have a skilled technician conduct an AC tune-up before it becomes too cold out. This tune-up and inspection includes determining the refrigerant level and testing for leaks, looking over and tightening electrical connections, lubricating moving parts and testing the system safety controls, among other tasks. Scheduled air conditioner maintenance increases efficiency, extends your unit’s life span and catches minor issues before they grow into expensive problems.

Disconnect Your Air Conditioner

When you’re confident43 you have used your cooling system for the last time during the hot summer months, find the condensing unit’s exterior power switch. Lift up the protective covering, flip the switch off and make sure to push the lid down again. This effortless move prevents you from accidentally activating the air conditioner during the winter months. Accidentally turning on the air conditioner when the condensing unit is covered with ice could trigger irreparable damage.

Examine the Exterior Unit

Powering down your AC after the cooling season involves more than just flicking off a switch. It’s also an opportunity to examine the outdoor unit’s condition. Check for cracks, blemishes, rust or other exterior issues. Make sure that all seals and insulation are secure and everything seems in order. If you spot a concern, call a certified specialist to service the air conditioner before the issue becomes an even bigger problem. This preventive move helps you reduce the chances of any unpleasant surprises when you fire up your air conditioner after its long winter hibernation.

Guard Your Air Conditioner Against Falling Ice

While some homeowners shield their outdoor air conditioning units with a tarp or a commercially available AC cover, this tactic often brings about more problems than it solves. Moisture can condense on the unit through the plastic, blocking evaporation and encouraging rust or mold proliferation. Mice might even view your covered AC unit as a lovely spot to build a winter den, and also bite through essential wiring and leave you with an unwelcome repair bill in the spring.

Despite all this, safeguarding your AC from falling icicles is still key to preventing internal damage. The best compromise is to protect the top of the air conditioner with plywood weighed down with a brick or large rock to make certain the wind doesn’t blow the wood off. Leaving the air conditioning unit’s sides exposed to the winter elements should not cause any damage.

Routinely Inspect the Unit

Once your air conditioning system is effectively winterized, you can’t simply stop thinking about your cooling system until you need it next spring. To ensure it stays in good shape, take a peek at your AC about once a week. Adjust the plywood if necessary and get rid of any leaves or pine needles caught in the condensing unit. Normal winter care helps prevent any nasty predicaments come spring.

Schedule Air Conditioning Service Today in Winnipeg

Preparing your AC for winter weather may not be the most exciting task, but the benefits are considerable. Not only does it help you avoid pricey repairs and delays when you want air conditioning next spring, but it also promotes your unit’s efficiency and length of service.

For trustworthy, expert assistance with the air conditioning tasks outlined above, contact Winnipeg Supply Service Experts. Our team provides top-notch service to help our customers reduce HVAC issues all year. With Winnipeg Supply Service Experts by your side, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of understanding your home comfort is in highly capable hands. To schedule an AC repair or maintenance visit, call Winnipeg Supply Service Experts today by calling 204-800-0613. Remember, taking care of your AC today is the best way to enjoy a cooler, more comfortable tomorrow!