Prepping Your Air Conditioner for Its Winter Break

November 28, 2016

Right now is when people are getting their heating systems ready for the winter. If you haven’t scheduled maintenance for your heater—whether it’s a furnace or heat pump—now is definitely the time to give us a call and get on the schedule. The serious cold weather is coming up!

But there are also some preparations you’ll need to make for your air conditioning system. You probably won’t need to use it during the coming months, but the outdoor unit of the system requires some special protection, otherwise it can suffer damage from the weather and even develop rust and other kinds of corrosion. Below are some steps to take that will winterize your air conditioner so it has the best chance of working the way it should when spring comes around again:

First, turn off the air conditioner’s circuit. This is located outside near the cabinet, and usually has a plastic or metal lid over it. Lift the lid and place the switch in the “off” position. This prevents the AC from accidentally turning on during a brief warm spell in winter, which may cause it to draw in water that will freeze or create corrosion.
Second, clean off the exterior unit. This doesn’t have to be a major job, simply use a garden hose. You want the dirt and debris (like bird droppings) cleaned off. Remove any brush, pinecones, branches, and grass clippings from off the unit as well. Then let it dry completely.
Third, cover the unit with a plastic or vinyl cover—make sure it’s waterproof. You can purchase specially designed HVAC covers from stores or online, although any piece of plastic or vinyl capable of covering the unit will work.
Fourth, secure the unit in place. Bungee cords are good for this; wrap them around the unit and the cover. This will prevent the cover from getting torn off in a high wind.
Last, make periodic checks on the unit during the winter. We recommend going out once a week to see that the cover is still in place. After a snowfall, brush as much of the snow off as you can.

Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling serves Alpharetta, GA. Call our customer service specialists at 770-213-COOL (2665) and let us know how we can help you with your home heating needs this winter.