How To Prepare Your AC for the Winter

Seasonal AC maintenance may be on the list of things you need to get around to but haven’t had the time to do so. 

No worries, friend. We have compiled a comprehensive list of things you can do to prepare your AC unit for the cold weather (although, be warned, seasonal AC maintenance is one of the steps).

Turn off the power to your AC unit.

You can do this either on the outdoor unit itself or by turning off your breaker, but the important part is that no electricity is flowing to the AC unit before the next step. You don’t want to get electrocuted or risk blowing a fuse in your AC unit. 

Change the filters indoors.

This is especially important if you have pets and if you smoke in your home. Contaminants from the outside world already get trapped in your air ducts, which can cause asthma and other respiratory issues. We recommend changing the filters every one to two months when you’re using your AC unit every day and then again at the end of the season. 

Clean your outdoor AC unit.

Take a garden hose or a power washer to your outdoor unit, ensuring you remove all the debris that may have been collected from the summer season of grass clippings and the fall season of falling leaves. 

Insulate your exposed pipes.

There’s nothing worse than a pipe bursting because you forgot to insulate it. If there are any exposed (above-ground) pipes connecting your outside unit to the inside, it’s definitely worth insulating them. Unlike the insulation in your walls, pipe insulation comes in easy-to-apply kits and typically has an adhesive backing. 

Call Parker’s Heating & Cooling for your maintenance check.

We promise it won’t take long, and the peace of mind that you’ll get from knowing your AC maintenance is up to date is priceless. We recommend regular checks, which can catch small issues before they become ones. This will help you elongate the life span of your AC unit. While we’re there, ask us about checking your condensate pipes to see if they need to be emptied before the next big freeze.  

Cover your outdoor AC unit.

There are many specialty outdoor AC unit covers on the market, and a quick Google search will find one that fits your exact model. If you find yourself in a last-minute pinch, you can cover it with a tarp and weigh it down on all sides with bricks. 

Plan when snow or ice piles up on your outdoor AC unit.

Whatever you do, don’t use a snow shovel on your AC unit. You can seriously damage the unit, even if it’s covered. Instead, we recommend investing in a snow brush and scraper combo. These are commonly sold for cars, so you may need to look in the auto department or order one online, but it’s worth it. Try to go out and remove snow or ice as it falls, preventing a snowdrift from covering your unit. 

If you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule your AC maintenance visit, give us a call at 615-355-9137.