As summer turns to fall, it’s time to start prepping your house for cooler temperatures. While there’s sure to be a lot on your plate, it’s critical that you shut down your AC in the appropriate manner. Neglecting to do so can leave you with a big mess (and a costly one) when you return in the spring to once again cool your home.
There are some important things to do when shutting your AC down at the end of summer. Here’s a good place to start:
1. Take Care of Any Repairs
If you’re aware of anything that requires your attention, take care of it now. It’s easy to put this off until next year, since you won’t be using your AC during the cold winter months, but you’ll regret this decision when the time comes.
Tip: even if you think everything is in good working order, call in a professional HVAC company to inspect your HVAC system. They may find something that you didn’t notice.
2. Turn if Off
Many people think this is nothing more than switching their thermostat from “cool” to “off” or “heat.” That’s not good enough.
Find the AC breaker switch outside your home and move it to the “off” position. This is the only way to ensure that your unit doesn’t kick back on until you’re ready for it to do so.
3. Clean the Condenser
The outdoor unit can collect a lot of debris during the summer and fall months. This includes everything from leaves to twigs to garbage (and that’s just the start).
Start by removing all loose debris from the unit. From there, use a lower pressure hose to wash the outside.
Once you’re done, clean up around the area so the debris doesn’t once again end up against your condenser.
4. Cover the Condenser
The final step in the process is covering your condenser. This keeps debris, snow, and water off your unit during the colder months. As long as it’s waterproof, it’ll do the job.
Tip: you don’t necessarily have to purchase an AC cover. You can also use a tarp, as long as there are no holes and it fully covers the unit.
What Now?
If you take these steps, you can forget about your AC for the time being. Now, it’s time to turn your attention to firing up your furnace for the winter season.
Should you run into any issues when shutting down your AC at the end of summer, contact us for help. We can visit your home, explain what’s happening, and make suggestions on how to make things right.
Remember, you don’t want to put off any necessary AC repairs. Doing so can result in additional damage, and that’s not a risk you want to take.
Categories:
DIY Air Conditioning
