3 Important Steps For Winterizing Your Air Conditioner
Do you hate the heat of summer? Is your air conditioner the only way that you can deal with the summer heat? If you enjoy winter more than summer, you're not alone. Not everyone is able to deal with hot weather without the help of an air conditioner. But in order to make sure that the system works next year, it's extremely important that you take steps now to winterize your unit. Some things that need to be done include:
Get a tune-up: Although your air conditioning system may still work next year without an annual tune-up, having a tune-up will help to extend its lifespan and ensure that it will still be functional when you turn it on again next year. The technician who services your air conditioner will be able to alert you to any potential problems, allowing you to have them fixed right now or for you to start setting aside money to purchase a new A/C unit as soon as possible. The moisture from condensation can cause corrosion to your air conditioner over time, so it's especially important for older units to have an inspection and tune-up on an annual basis.
Replace the filter or filters: If your air conditioning travels through different ductwork than your heating, it's important to change the filter one last time after you shut off the unit for the last time. Leaving a dirty filter in the air intake for several months could allow mold or mildew to collect on the filter and to start feeding off the dust, decreasing the air quality inside your home. In addition, when you turn on your cooler again as the weather gets hot next year, it can be all too easy to forget to change a filter that has been in place for months. It's easiest to simply change the filter now so as to avoid as many problems as possible in the future.
Cover your A/C unit: Covering your unit for the winter is especially important if the unit is on or near the ground and you live somewhere that gets snow. While an air conditioning unit is designed to withstand the elements, exposure to excessive snow that may have many melt/thaw cycles over the winter season can encourage more corrosion than you might otherwise expect. If the unit is near a walkway that may need to be de-iced, a cover will also help limit exposure to salt and salt spray, both of which can cause damage relatively quickly.
Contact a company like Reid’s AC & Heat for more information and assistance.