When it begins to get cooler in certain regions, air conditioning is replaced with the fresh air of open windows. Before that point, it’s essential to prepare the unit for the end of the season. Homeowners have a responsibility, if they hope for an extended lifespan, to employ basic maintenance and upkeep throughout its use.
It’s also a good idea to invest in professional services annually for preventative AC repair, Durham, in order to keep the unit running optimally. Catching problems early saves time and money on damages that could become irreparable. The professionals can also inform with tips on how to properly prepare the unit for the cooler months.
Preparing an AC Unit for The End of the Season
Almost everyone enjoys the times during the year when you can open the windows and wallow in fresh air, if you’re lucky enough to live in such a climate. Before that can happen, it’s important to begin the process of preparing the AC unit to be shut down. You don’t want to just turn it off and forget about it.
The system is a large investment for a homeowner that requires regular maintenance, proper upkeep, and appropriate shut down when not in use. When you winterize there are a few steps you should follow.
1. Shutting Down
When you turn the cooling component off on your HVAC system, you should go to the thermostat to turn it off first. You’ll then go to the circuit box and switch the power for the external unit off. The electrical box is typically found along the side of a house often near the condenser.
2. Change Out
Claims suggest that HVAC uses the same filter for both heating and cooling. The recommendation is to change every three months, but check them as much as monthly, particularly if there’s someone suffering from allergies or sensitivity to dust in the home. Since you’re leaving one season with a new one fast approaching, it’s the ideal time to go ahead and replace the existing filter.
3. Leave It Off
There might be times when the temperature elevates to the point it feels like summer all over again. Try not to be tempted to turn the system on and off. Fall and spring give you the chance to not only save on energy, but cleanse the air inside the home.
If you can, open the doors (for those who have screen doors) and windows to encourage airflow through the house. You can significantly improve your home’s air quality.
4. Cleaning The Condenser
This is something that should be done throughout the entire year, but especially at the end of each season. You need to sweep the outside off, brushing away any debris like leaves, dirt, grass, that has collected. Then, rinse it down with a water hose to loosen grime that may have gotten into tough spots like the fan blade, the grill, or the air-intake elements.
It’s the best time of year also for gardening. This is when you can trim bushes, pull weeds or transplant plants that are too close, and cut the grass back away from the unit.
5. Close Inspection
Typically, the experts would come to service the system this time of the year, but it’s also wise when cleaning to pay attention to any deterioration of the condenser like visible corrosion, cracks, or damages, anything new or irregular that you can point out to the service professional.Read to learn AC troubleshooting tips.
6. Winter Coat
There are insulated covers specifically made for AC systems or you can use a tarp made with either vinyl or plastic (waterproof) that you secure with cords. Covering is a matter of preference for homeowners. Not all experts recommend doing this step because it has the potential to trap moisture leading to damages.
The suggestion is to keep the wiring and pipes that run from the unit covered because these are exposed. Using foam covers provides insulation, preventing freezing and cracking in extreme temperatures.
Employing seasonal upkeep into your household maintenance routine will help to extend the life of your AC system and make sure that it functions at peak performance when it comes time to use it again come summer.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
