When summer winds down, it is time to think about end-of-season air conditioning care. The steps you take in the fall can help protect your A/C through the cooler months. Before you focus on your home’s heating system and taking home winterizing steps, here is what to do after you turn the A/C off.
Central Air Conditioners
- Clean the unit. Disconnect the A/C completely from the power supply. Remove branches and leaves from the outside condensing unit and use your garden hose to clean away dirt and debris.
- Clean around the unit. Rake up dead leaves and other debris around the air conditioner so wind will not blow it into the outside cabinet. You want to avoid having anything around the cabinet that might block airflow.
- Cover the unit. Use a sheet of plywood or a loose tarp to protect the condensing unit from the weather. Avoid enclosing it completely, however, as doing so can trap moisture in and lead to mold or corrosion. Enclosing the unit also gives insects and other unwanted creatures a place to nest.
- Change the filter in the indoor air handler if it looks dirty. The same filter may be used for heating in the winter, if your furnace serves as your A/C blower.
- Maintenance. During your fall maintenance visit for furnace, have the technician perform a check of your A/C to make sure it will be ready when spring rolls around next year.
Window units
- Clean the filter and the coils. If you do not plan to remove the A/C from the window, you can clean the coils using a special brush. If you are removing the room A/C for the winter, take the air conditioner outdoors and wash it down with your garden hose. Focus the spray on the coils and avoid drenching the electronic components. Allow it to dry thoroughly before bringing it back inside for storage.
- When storing the unit indoors, choose a dry and clean area. If you choose to keep the unit in the window, purchase a cover to protect it from the elements.
For more information about what to do when you turn the air conditioner off for the season and other issues related to safety and comfort, please contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide services for customers in the Fort Wayne area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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