It’s great having an outdoor air conditioning unit during the summer, but when winter comes, the falling temps can pose a serious threat to your system. If you winterize your outdoor AC unit, you’ll protect it from ice and snow, which will keep it from getting rusty and breaking down faster.
Winterizing your unit is a simple and inexpensive way to ensure your outdoor AC unit is in good shape when the warmer temperatures return next spring.
Here are a few things you can do to winterize your unit, and protect your investment during the coldest months of the year:
- Search for the circuit near your air conditioning system. It typically has a metal or plastic lid that protects the electrical circuit. Once you find it, open it up and turn the unit off, using the on/off switch. This will keep it from turning on during winter days that are unusually warm, which will prevent water that seeps out from freezing up when it becomes cold again.
- Remove debris, such as bird droppings, dirt, dead bugs, leaves, twigs, grass clippings and dust using a water hose. Allow the AC unit to completely dry.
- Cover the exposed exterior pipes with foam pipe covers. This will keep the pipes insulated and from freezing when it gets really cold. To keep the foam in place, wrap it with duct tape.
- Chiller Systems Service, commercial HVAC contractors in Denver, recommends using a vinyl or plastic cover to wrap the AC unit and make it waterproof. You may be able to find one specifically for your brand and model made by the manufacturer of your system. However, there are others you can find that will fit your unit as well. To keep the cover from blowing away in strong winter winds, make sure to wrap it up using either bungee cords or vinyl ropes. Ensure that it’s wrapped tightly to keep it secure throughout the winter.
By winterizing your outdoor AC unit, you raise the chances of getting maximum performance out of it once the mercury starts rising again,
For assistance with winterizing, or air conditioner repair in Fort Worth and Arlington any time of year, contact Metro Energy Savers!