The warm days of summer have just begun, and your AC is ready for it. You’ve had it checked out by your HVAC technician, and it’s working to keep your home deliciously cool. However, it will soon be time to prepare your AC for the offseason. Here are some simple ways to do that.
Shut the Power Off
This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s a bit surprising how many people don’t know where the switch that powers their outdoor condenser is. There’s a little box near the condenser that holds the switch. Just open it and flip it to the off position.
Once your condenser is switched off, find your circuit box and turn off the juice to your AC. This will prevent cold water from being drawn into your compressor and ruining it if there is an unusual warm spell during the winter. The compressor is part of the AC that pressurizes and distributes heat-absorbing refrigerant around the system. If it’s destroyed, you won’t have the cool AC you need next summer.
Clean the Condenser and Clear the Area Around It
Trash like twigs, dead leaves, dead bugs, and seeds inevitably accumulate around an outdoor condenser. You should be diligent about clearing them out of the way as part of regular maintenance. Clear it away again before you put the AC system to bed. There should be about two feet of clear space around the condenser. You can also use your garden hose to spray the fins gently. Fins are delicate, so you should never use anything like a power washer to clean your condenser.
Make Sure the Refrigerant Pipes Are Insulated
The outdoor refrigerant pipes are usually made of copper and insulated with foam. If the insulation is ratty, replace it with new insulation. If you’re nervous about touching anything related to your AC’s refrigerant lines, have an HVAC pro handle it.
Cover the Condenser Unit
You should also cover the unit for the season, but make sure you use only a breathable cover. Airtight covers hold in moisture, and moisture leads to rust, mold, and other issues you don’t want to deal with. Indeed, you might not want to cover the entire unit anyway since they’re built to be weather-resistant. You can just put a cover over the top to make sure that snow, ice, or debris doesn’t get into the condenser.
Preparing your AC for the cooler months is simple with these tips. Being proactive can help the system be in tip-top shape when the warm weather returns next year. If you live in Durham, NC or a surrounding area and need AC maintenance services, make your first call to JD Service Now.