Winterize Your Home's Air Conditioning Unit

Don't let winter weather wreck havoc on your home's air conditioning unit. When temperatures drop and your home switches to heating, take a few moments to prepare your A/C unit for its winter hibernation. These simple tips below can save you valuable dollars in expensive repairs and replacement parts for your home's air conditioning unit.

If you have a window unit, be sure to cover the outside portion of the unit. If at all possible, remove the air conditioning unit entirely from the window, and store it in a safe, dry place making sure that it is protected from debris and rodents.

Outside units can be covered so they are protected from winter debris and weather like snow and damaging ice, although it is generally discouraged to cover a unit with plastic like a bag or tarp. Because plastic tends to trap in moisture, covering your air conditioning unit this way may actually cause the unit to rust and deteriorate quickly. Instead, when winterizing your A/C unit, consider coating the outside frame with a protective sealant to protect it from winter rain, sleet, snow, and ice. Once this is finished, you can protect the top of the unit with a thin piece of wood, like plywood, and weigh down the plywood with simple building materials. Suitable materials can be other blocks of wood or bricks - so long as the unit is protected from falling ice. Remember to remove these protective items in the spring.

When the spring rolls around and temperatures start to warm up outside, check your home's air conditioning unit to make sure that it is working properly. You don't want to get caught on the first blazing hot day of the summer season without an air conditioner to cool off your home's temperature!

Stock up on new filters for your air conditioner now, and store these in a safe, dry place so they are ready for use when the weather warms up again. Dirty air filters can cause a unit to seize up and make for poor breathing conditions inside the home. Guard yourself from costly repair bills and protect your loved ones breathing air by taking a few precautionary steps now.

Taking the time to care for your home's A/C unit is excellent maintenance that can prolong the life and smooth operations of your unit. We hope these tips have been helpful, but remind you that proper storage or covering for your home's air conditioning unit is best left to the pros. Contact your local HVAC specialists for tips and advice on the best methods for preparing your home's air conditioning unit for the long, cold winter months ahead. Like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure!