When summer days give way to cooler temperatures, it’s time to winterize your air
conditioning system to protect it. During the winter, water, snow, and debris can
accumulate around your air conditioning unit, clogging, rusting, and deteriorating
the mechanical parts inside.
To avoid your AC breaking down when the summer season comes back, here are
four tips to winter-proof your air conditioner.
Clean your air conditioner
Your device has probably accumulated a significant amount of dust and dirt over
the years. Thus, the first thing to do is clean off all the accumulated dirt using a
damp cloth. You need to make sure your air conditioner is completely dry before
proceeding with the winterizing process, so do it on a warm day if possible.
Turn off your air conditioner during the winter
Make sure your air conditioner is turned off if not used during the cold season.
Note that the air conditioner shouldn’t be turned off, using the thermostat. When
an air conditioner is turned off by the thermostat, it has a habit of turning back on
when the room gets too hot. If your air conditioner is turned on in the middle of
winter, water can be drawn into the coils and freeze, causing your air conditioner
to corrode or rust.
Cover your air conditioning system
Make sure your air conditioner is completely dry before winterizing it. You can
then cover it with a tarp or a plastic or vinyl cover specially designed to protect
outdoor air conditioners. If you are using a tarp, make sure it is large enough to
cover the entire unit.
Insulation of air conditioning pipes
It is essential that you protect your pipes and your appliance. When the weather
turns cold, your pipes can freeze and burst if you haven’t taken action. So be
careful not to neglect this step. Foam pipe covers are an effective way of
protecting your pipes.
