Even with a few intermittent warmer days here and there, we have all felt the chill of fall in the air. With cold weather coming, now is the time to button up your air conditioning unit installation for winter. Making sure you winterize your air-conditioner unit properly also lessens the expense of unwanted air conditioning service later.
Four Steps to Take
We at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning are happy to hvac system repair to customers, but we are also happy to help you avoid unnecessary service calls and costly repairs. With that in mind, here are the basic four steps for winterizing the outside half of your central air conditioner:
1. Shut Down
Inside, at your wall thermostat, switch from cooling mode to heating mode so you do not accidentally force the central air conditioner to work in cold temperatures.
Four Steps to Take
We at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning are happy to hvac system repair to customers, but we are also happy to help you avoid unnecessary service calls and costly repairs. With that in mind, here are the basic four steps for winterizing the outside half of your central air conditioner:
1. Shut Down
Inside, at your wall thermostat, switch from cooling mode to heating mode so you do not accidentally force the central air conditioner to work in cold temperatures.
On your home’s side is a circuit breaker box for the outside unit. Lift the plastic lid and move the breaker switch from ON to OFF. Tripped breakers are a common source of springtime air conditioning service and repair calls. However, when you plan to turn your unit on in the spring, make sure the breaker is turned on for 24 hours before turning the thermostat to cool in case the unit compressor unit is equipped with protective device known as a crankcase heater.
2. Clean Up
Remove all grass clippings, twigs, branches, weeds and yard debris for an area several feet wide all around your central air conditioner’s outdoor cabinet. Use a garden hose to wash off the unit. If you like, you can use a gentle nylon bristle scrub brush to remove droppings and dirt from the cabinet.
Do not attempt to open any part of the cabinet or remove any panels; doing so could result in a heating and air service and repair contractors to fix what you “fixed.” Let the unit dry completely.
3. Cover…or not!
There are some pros and some cons to covering your outside unit during winter and so there are different opinions among experts on whether you should cover it or not. We at H & H recommend that you don’t cover the unit, and if you do, use an approved cover by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers of central air conditioners have custom-made, ventilated covers you can purchase to protect your outdoor unit. Avoid covering the sides completely to discourage rodents and other pests from taking up residence or to risk corrosion resulting from any trapped moisture.
Remove all grass clippings, twigs, branches, weeds and yard debris for an area several feet wide all around your central air conditioner’s outdoor cabinet. Use a garden hose to wash off the unit. If you like, you can use a gentle nylon bristle scrub brush to remove droppings and dirt from the cabinet.
Do not attempt to open any part of the cabinet or remove any panels; doing so could result in a heating and air service and repair contractors to fix what you “fixed.” Let the unit dry completely.
3. Cover…or not!
There are some pros and some cons to covering your outside unit during winter and so there are different opinions among experts on whether you should cover it or not. We at H & H recommend that you don’t cover the unit, and if you do, use an approved cover by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers of central air conditioners have custom-made, ventilated covers you can purchase to protect your outdoor unit. Avoid covering the sides completely to discourage rodents and other pests from taking up residence or to risk corrosion resulting from any trapped moisture.
4. Call
In the spring contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning hvac tune up. We provide inexpensive HVAC comfort club agreements which help keep your units in tip-top shape, thereby minimizing the need for costly air conditioning service and repair later on.
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