With the winter months right around the corner, there are some precautions you’ll want to take to make sure your air conditioner has a safe winter layover. The most important thing is that your cooling system is in good running condition when the summer rolls around again, and that’s why it’s wise to just shut it down for the cold months.
When doing so, there are a few steps you’ll want to follow:
- Clean your air conditioner completely of debris. It’s imperative to thoroughly clean your cooling unit before you put it away for the winter, and the best way is with a cloth, or using the bristled brush part of a vacuum cleaner. Some people recommend using a water hose, but that brings with it the risk of dangerous wiring short-outs.
- Have a professional come check out your appliance. Regular maintenance and tune-ups are extremely important with any HVAC appliance, and now is the perfect time to have a professional come take a look at your air conditioner. By getting this out of the way now, you’re greatly decreasing the odds of any breakdowns or major problems when your cooling system is back in use. This step is especially important if you’re someone who hasn’t been keeping up with regular checkups.
- Be sure to protect your unit from rain and snow. The elements can damage these appliances, so you’ll want to take measures to shield them from rain and snow. There are full air conditioner covers available, but these can cause unwanted moisture to become trapped inside. Instead, consider setting up a small canopy over the appliance. This will be equally effective in sheltering the unit, but won’t allow any moisture to become trapped within.
If you follow these easy steps when you put your air conditioning appliance away for the winter months, the odds are good that you’ll be in good shape when the weather warms up again. For any HVAC needs in the Twin Cities area, contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about winter preparations and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
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