When the summer months end, home owners quickly begin to prepare for winter. It is a time to get the home sealed up and the heating unit ready for operation. However, this is also the time to begin to prepare your cooling unit for the winter months. Depending on the type of unit you have, certain steps must be taken to prepare your unit for the colder months ahead. These preparations will allow your unit to continue to function when summer rolls around again.
Window Unit
If you have a window air conditioning unit, you most likely remove the unit when it is not in operation. If you do, be sure to seal the window properly and store your window unit in a secure area. You will need to clean the unit when you remove it from the window and pack it for the next summer season. Be sure the unit is completely clean and dry before packing it away in storage to ensure that no molding or mildewing occurs.
Wall Unit
Wall units will most likely stay in place during the winter season so you want to be sure that the unit is prepared for the colder temperatures. To prepare this unit, you can clean the outdoor and indoor portion. The unit needs to be free of dust and particles as well as dirt and grime that may have occurred during use. Once you have cleaned the unit. You can choose to leave it be on the outside portion of you can chose to try and cover it with heavy plastic or a covering to keep the unit free from the harsh elements of the winter season.
Other Units
Other air conditioning units that are used in the home include: Central AC, Heat Pump and Geothermal Heat Pumps. These units are usually used for heating as well. To prepare these units for winter you will need to have the unit inspected and cleaned. This way, the unit is ready to work for the winter months. Once you have this process completed you will be ready for heating. Then, once the heating season is complete, you can have the unit inspected and cleaned again for the summer months.
With basic cleaning and storage techniques, you can have your air conditioning system ready for winter storage or a cooling break. Taking the time to care for your unit will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in cooling costs!
