Winterizing Your Air Conditioner

September may seem like an odd time to talk about winterizing, but there’s a reason we’re addressing this now and not waiting until later in the season. In addition to explaining how you can winterize your air conditioner to keep it safe and sound over the colder months, we’ll also address why it’s a good idea to think ahead.

Why Winterize?

For lots of homeowners, winterizing means shutting the AC off and sticking a cover over the unit. That’s not nearly enough, as you’re about to see. An AC unit that isn’t well-maintained performs poorly. That leads to energy inefficiency, but can also make you less safe. A bit of time and money spent on home HVAC maintenance now will be much less spent on HVAC repairs later.

How to Winterize Your Air Conditioner

There are a few steps that will keep your air conditioner safe and sound.

• Check your thermostat, since your furnace will be relying on it before long. Remember to change settings for the season, and consider a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one.
• Inspect for worn or damaged parts
• Lubricate moving parts
• Check coolant, recharging if needed
• Inspect wiring and controls
• Keep the areas around the outdoor unit, ducts, and indoor returns clear of obstruction
• Inspect the compressor and clean the coils
• Clean blower and ducting as needed
• Change filters

Not sure what some of these things are, or how they’re done? That’s what we’re here for. Ace Plumbing takes care of homeowners’ seasonal air conditioner maintenance. While we’re there, we’ll answer any questions you have.

Winterize Your Home

While winterizing your air conditioner is important, it’s not enough on its own. Before too long, you’ll be transitioning from air conditioning to heating, and you should take some additional steps to smooth that process.

• Check for drafts around doors and windows.
• Pay attention to passive heating from sunlight. Take advantage, but be sure it’s not interfering with your thermostat.
• Check your insulation – especially in your attic and basement/crawlspace – making repairs or replacements as needed.
• Ask us about a humidifier, since forced air systems run dry and the added moisture helps even cooler air feel a bit warmer.

So there you have it; a simple checklist to keep your air conditioner safe and sound while it hibernates for the winter. In case you were curious why we’re bringing it up now, it’s simple; Ace Plumbing is in high demand among homeowners in Sacramento, Fair Oaks, and El Dorado Hills when the time comes for HVAC maintenance, air conditioning repairs, and other services. Wait too long and you’ll have to… well, wait even longer, since there’ll be a lot of people on line behind you. Call us now to schedule AC winterizing and we’ll be able to schedule air conditioner maintenance for an optimal time!