Steps on how to winterize your central air conditioner
- Turn off central AC. First, ensure your unit is turned off. ...
- Clean your AC. Before you start the cleaning process, ensure the weather is warm and conducive so as to dry every area of your unit. ...
- Cover the top of your central AC. ...
- Wrap any pipes that are exposed. ...
- Make it a habit to check your unit. ...
- Remove leaves, twigs and grass clippings. ...
- Locate the electrical circuit. ...
- Install tubular foam or rubber pipe insulation with tees and elbows around pipes to protect against freezing. ...
- Cover the HVAC unit with a waterproof Frost King air conditioner cover.
How should I store my air conditioner for the winter?
Tips for Storing Your Air Conditioner Over Fall & Winter
- Inspect the air conditioner for damage. Once you remove your air conditioner from the window, inspect for any damage. ...
- Clean or replace the filter. ...
- Find a good place to store your unit over the winter. ...
- Store your air conditioner in an upright position. ...
- If you don’t store it, cover it. ...
How to prepare your air conditioner for winter?
- Air filter replacement or cleaning
- Coolant level monitoring
- Drain cleaning, vacuuming, and flushing
- AC coil and find cleaning
- Complete system inspection
Should I remove my air conditioner for the winter?
Window Unit Air Conditioner
- Take It Out of the Window… If Possible. If your window unit isn’t permanently installed in your home, remove it for the winter. ...
- Get Rid of the Water. Sometimes window units have water inside of them. ...
- Clean the Filter. Cleaning your air filters regularly should be a priority. ...
- Wrap It Up Tight. ...
- It’s Permanently Attached? ...
How to winterize heat pump?
- These heat exchangers are the most challenging to properly winterize.
- Disconnect power; turn “OFF” circulation pump.
- Remove front access panel. ...
- Disconnect plumbing unions.
- Place a garden hose into the inlet side of the heat pump; wrap a clean rag around the hose to form a temporary seal.
Do central air conditioners need to be winterized?
Throughout the winter – water, snow, and debris can gather around your AC unit and can clog, rust, and deteriorate mechanical parts of AC from inside. Moreover, critters can make a nest inside the AC unit. To keep them protected from inclement elements, it's necessary to winterize your AC unit every year.
How do I prepare my central air unit for winter?
0:251:56Prep Your AC for Winter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure the fan isn't running then just pop open the door pull out the disconnect block flip. ItMoreMake sure the fan isn't running then just pop open the door pull out the disconnect block flip. It over and stick it back in it's that easy when the warm weather returns set the thermostat.
How do I winterize my outside AC unit?
The Dos and Don'ts for Winterizing Your Air Conditioning UnitDo: Shut off the power to the unit. ... Do: Remove any debris stuck in the unit. ... Do: Cover the unit with a sheet of plywood. ... Do: Wax the outside of the unit. ... Don't: Wrap the condenser in plastic. ... Do: Remove snow and ice through the winter.
Should you turn off AC breaker in winter?
Can I turn off the power to my central air conditioning system during the winter months? Yes. There should be a disconnect in your panel box or at the outside unit. By turning it off over the winter, you will save energy.
What should I leave my AC on during winter vacation?
The best rule of thumb is to raise the temperature about 5 degrees from what you primarily keep it at. So if you set it at 74 degrees when you're home, then set it to 79 or 80 when you go out of town.
Do outdoor AC unit needs to be covered in winter?
Outdoor cooling units are built to endure these harsh winter weather conditions, which eliminates the need for a cover. Moisture (water) can freeze the air conditioner's condenser coils, which can cause damage over time.
Can I hose off my outside AC unit?
It's perfectly fine to hose down an air conditioner unit, and it's recommended on a regular basis. A condenser's main function is drawing in air from outside. It also brings in pollen, dirt, leaves, dust and grass. You can just rinse the unit with running water, rinsing the machine from top to bottom, and it'll work.
When is the best time to winterize an AC unit?
Best time to winterize your AC units. The best time to prep your HVAC unit is early fall, just before you close the windows and turn on the heat. Watch the weather and choose a sunny day to winterize your AC. Instant-Air always recommends you follow these steps to winterize your AC.
Why do you winterize an HVAC unit?
Your HVAC unit— keeps your home dry and cool during hot, humid months. As the warm summer days fade to chilly weather , it’s time to winterize the HVAC unit to safeguard against snow and ice. Throughout the winter – water, snow, and debris can gather around your AC unit and can clog, rust, and deteriorate mechanical parts of AC from inside. Moreover, critters can make a nest inside the AC unit. To keep them protected from inclement elements, it’s necessary to winterize your AC unit every year.
How to keep AC unit from freezing?
#2. Clean your unit – Throughout the summer, your unit collects dirt and dust around it. Clean off all the gunk with a wet clean cloth.
What happens if you don't cover your AC?
If you don’t cover pipes properly, they can freeze and burst when the temperature drops. Make sure that you don’t skip this step. To protect AC unit pipes, cover them with foam pipe covers. The next thing to keep in mind is that the foam cover should fit snuggly around the pipe.
What happens if you ignore your AC unit all winter?
If you ignore your AC unit all winter, you might need to make costly repairs – or worse, replace your entire unit – when next summer rolls around. To keep your AC unit protected, follow these steps before the weather gets too cold. #1.
Is it bad to have an AC unit that isn't working?
Air Conditioner / By user. There’s nothing worse than finding that your air conditioner isn’t working well enough in hot summer days. AC units often refuse to work well when owners fail to take care of them during winters. Even though AC units are designed to place outdoors, they still need proper attention to prevent from inclement elements.
Why do you shut down an air conditioner?
Shutting down the air conditioner accomplishes a number of different things – first, it prevents damage to your air conditioner and protects you from possible electrocution. It also prevents your air conditioner from turning on accidentally during the winter, which could potentially cause water to get into the unit and freezing. ...
How to get dirt off a compressor?
If there are any leaves, twigs or branches stuck to the compressor, pull them out and get rid of them – you don’t want your compressor to be dirty before you put the cover on.
Can you winterize your AC in Maryland?
Make sure you check out your AC every now and then during the winter and brush off any snow and ice that builds up – extra weight can potentially lead to damage. Winterizing your air conditioner is pretty simple and can save you from spending tons of money on air conditioner repair in Maryland this spring!
How to keep pipes from bursting in snow?
Slip exposed pipes into your foam pipe covers and seal the seams with duct tape. During harsh freezes and snowy days, your pipes will stay insulated, which will help prevent them from bursting.
Can you put a plywood board over a central air conditioner?
After your central air conditioner is dry, place the cover over your unit. Many manufacturers do not recommend a cover because AC units are made to endure even the harshest Ohio winter weather. In that case, you can place a plywood board over your unit to protect the top from falling ice and hold it down with bricks. Whichever method you choose, covering the unit will help you get the most value out of your central air conditioner for its total life expectancy.
Can you shut off your central air unit outside?
It’s imperative to shut off your central air conditioning unit outside — not just inside on your thermostat. This will help you avoid corrosion or mold in the coils if there’s another warm day in Ohio and your thermostat starts automatically. Outside, you will see a box attached to your home’s exterior. Your central air conditioner will have a switch to flip or a key to turn over to cut the circuit and prevent it from starting automatically.
Why is it important to winterize AC units?
There are many reasons why it’s important and smart to winterize the condenser, which is the unit that sits outside your home. It helps prevent wear-and-tear caused by the winter elements. This can make it easier to start the AC back up next spring/summer, and extend the service life of the unit (which saves you money).
How to protect a condenser unit from moisture?
Do: Cover the unit with a sheet of plywood. Adding a protective cover to the top of the condenser prevents debris and moisture from accumulating inside the unit. Cut a section of plywood just larger than the dimensions of the condenser. Position it on top of the unit and place bricks or other weights on the four corners to secure the sheet of wood.
Can winterizing your AC do more harm than good?
However, if done incorrectly, winterizing your AC could actually do more harm than good. Here are some easy tips to help you protect and preserve your air conditioning system.
Can you wrap a condenser in plastic?
Don’t: Wrap the condenser in plastic. It may seem like a good idea to encase the entire unit, but this strategy can backfire. First, wrapping it in non-breathable materials will trap moisture inside, which can lead to rusting and other deterioration. Also, you’re creating a dry, safe environment that could attract small animals.
How to clean a condenser unit?
Use a hose to clean the unit to keep it free from dirt, leaves, and other outdoor debris. Make sure power to the unit is turned off first. Use a gentle hose setting to prevent bending and damaging your condenser fins.
What to do if your air conditioner is leaking?
If you have a leaking gutter or water runoff problems around your air conditioner unit, get them fixed immediately.
Why do you cover your outdoor unit in winter?
The covering during winter protects your unit from falling limbs, icicles, hail, and other objects that can damage your outdoor unit.
Is it a good idea to replace a biannual HVAC system?
While these winter air conditioning maintenance tips will help protect your unit and extend its lifespan, there is no replacement for professional bi-annual HVAC maintenance.
Can you repair an HVAC unit on your own?
Do NOT attempt any HVAC repairs on your own—this can be dangerous and void any warranties you may have on the unit. Contact a qualified technician, such as Pacific Heating & Cooling, for all HVAC repairs.
Can you block access to an HVAC unit?
Even though it may seem tempting, don’t block access to your outdoor or indoor HVAC unit.
Do HVAC equipment need a warranty?
As HVAC equipment gets more complex and standards improve, there are more and more requirements for maintaining your HVAC manufacturer’s warranty. In order to keep all of your warranties intact, follow our HVAC maintenance recommendations and contact a professional for bi-annual tune-ups.
What Should You Do To Take Care Of Your HVAC Unit?
Much more important than covering your unit is arranging for regularly scheduled, seasonal residential HVAC maintenance. At Jewell Mechanical we recommend twice-annual inspections and maintenance for residential heating and air conditioning systems—once in the fall and once in the spring. In fact, we offer an Energy Savings Agreement (ESA) that includes system diagnostic assessments, as well as other benefits.
What are the drawbacks of covering a furnace?
Among the potential drawbacks of covering your unit is that moisture may get trapped under the cover, in which case parts of the unit could rust or corrode or otherwise be negatively affected.
Is it necessary to cover an outdoor unit?
Similarly, another brand that we service, Lennox, says that covering an outdoor unit is not necessary. In fact, Lennox’s outdoor unit care FAQ page goes on to say that “covering an entire unit may actually trap moisture. If you’re concerned about leaves and debris getting inside the housing, short covers are available as an optional accessory and may be purchased through your local Lennox dealer.”
