Your AC is going to be resting for six to seven months. Here’s some key things you can do to make sure it’s in the best possible position:
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CLEAR DEBRIS
Clear all the debris out of the air conditioner that’s collected over the summer, and make sure that there’s no leaves stuck up against it. Whether it’s dirt, rotten leaves, or fertilizer that’s gotten into the coil, clear anything that’s touching the air conditioner as this can potentially cause corrosion. And give it a good rinse off with the garden hose!
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COVER THE TOP
Cover the top of the air conditioner. We recommend an AC cover that doesn’t have sides or a cover that is three or four inches short to allow air in at the bottom – leaving room for the AC to breathe. This prevents moisture from getting trapped inside during those last rainy days or heat waves of summer.
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CHECK FOR BUGS
Make sure there are no signs of bugs coming in or going out of your air conditioner. To prevent any bugs entering, squirt a little bug spray around the air conditioner, particularly where the electrical connections go in and out.
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TURN OFF THE BREAKER
Turn your breaker off. Most of us have a breaker on the outside of the house beside the AC, attached to the wall. It’s a heavy grey plastic casing or box where the wire enters, which is also known as an external disconnect. This disables or disarms the breaker in the event of an emergency. Pull the door of the box up and pull out the T-handle or switch off the breaker. Store this in a freezer bag and keep it somewhere handy so it’s ready for spring.
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
Maintaining your HVAC equipment ensures it’ll run smoothly when you need it. Investing your time and money in this seasonal maintenance will go a long way towards protecting your home and your investment.
Usually, as part of your scheduled maintenance, an HVAC technician will come in and do maintenance on your AC and furnace for the next year. We recommend semi-annual inspections, once in the spring and another in the fall before wintry weather arrives.
Here’s what they do:
- Clean the AC coil and furnace coil
- Clean the furnace fan
- Check safety controls on the equipment
- Change the dampers on your humidifier and dehumidifier if you have one
- Check pad or plates or wicking mechanisms are clean
- Test for functionality
- Take the thermostat from auto and turn to the heating position to ensure the thermostat won’t call for cooling and energize the AC (which has already been put to bed for winter)
Regular annual HVAC maintenance is highly recommended to ensure your system is running optimally and to help avoid breakdowns. Call your local ClimateCare today to learn more.
