What Can I Do to Protect My Air Conditioner This Winter?

When the Indiana summer sun is blazing down on your home, you rely on your air conditioner, but when those temperatures drop, and everything freezes over, that’s where attentive AC winter maintenance in Lafayette, IN, comes in.

Don’t let your AC fall victim to harsh winter weather; use these tips to protect your air conditioner and ensure it’s ready to roll next summer:

Cover Your AC Unit When the Weather Gets Cold

Snow and ice can easily build up on your AC unit during the coldest months of the year, so it makes sense to cover your air conditioner as soon as the weather turns frigid so as to prevent any operational issues next year.

It’s important to use the right type of cover, though; only use breathable covers that are intended for covering AC units. Doing so will prevent moisture buildup that often leads to rust and mildew.

Remove Debris From Your Outdoor Unit

Similarly to inches of snow or ice, leaves, twigs, seeds, and other such fall-season debris can build up on your outdoor AC unit during the winter. As such, it’s a good idea to regularly remove these things and keep the unit clear — you may be surprised how much buildup can accumulate over an entire winter. If you leave your AC dirty and full of debris, it can cause problems when summer time arrives.

Turn Your Unit Off Completely

If you simply turn on your heat without powering down your AC at the onset of colder weather, power will still flow to your AC unit, and the last thing you want is for the AC to be triggered by warm or sunny winter weather.

If your AC gets turned on by accident in the winter, it can suck in moisture and cause major problems, not to mention discomfort, so it’s essential to cut the power supply to your unit when the colder weather arrives.

Freeze-Proof the Pipes

One last tip for AC winter maintenance in Lafayette, IN, is to use foam insulation to protect your unit’s pipes from freezing during the winter; just make sure the insulation you choose to use is flexible and able to conform to the shape of the pipes.