As we move into December, you may think you can forget about your air conditioner for the next several months. But ignorance isn’t always bliss when it comes to this important home comfort system. Your air conditioner needs to be prepped for the winter and periodically checked through the coldest months to ensure that it’s ready to do its cool job when the warm weather returns. Heating Specialties of South Jersey is your A/C and heating experts. We’ll walk you through the steps you can take to put your air conditioner into hibernation for the cold season. Otherwise, you risk uncovering an expensive mess next summer when you’re looking for chilly relief.
Clean it up
Fall has finished its outdoor show. Dead leaves and branches can accumulate around your outdoor unit, along with dirt, dust, or even dead bugs. Clear all the debris from the unit before the snow arrives. If you still have your outdoor water turned on, take a day to hose down the unit while we’re still enjoying temperatures that are above freezing.
Turn it off
Did you know you can turn off the A/C unit in the winter? You can usually find a power switch in the box or panel near your unit. Otherwise, you risk the A/C kicking on during that one crazy warm spell we seem to get each winter. Sure, you want to be comfortable in your own home. But you don’t want to risk water seeping into the A/C coils and freezing when the temperatures drop back to normal New Jersey winter levels.
Wax on, wax off
Your A/C unit appreciates an extra barrier against the elements. Something as simple as a coating of car wax can protect the metal from an ornery Mother Nature.
Protect your pipes
Your local hardware store sells foam insulation to wrap around the pipes and maximize energy savings. Wrap some foam around the pipes leading to your unit, and don’t worry about unwrapping them in the spring. You can keep the insulation in place all year round.
Remove the ice and snow
Yes, the last thing you want to do after a winter storm is venture outside. Your unit will appreciate a quick brushing after the storm so it’s not stuck under a waterfall when the elements begin to thaw.
Call in the HVAC experts IN SOUTH JERSEY
Ideally, you’ll follow the above steps to keep the A/C in good shape over the long winter. But that doesn’t mean you should skip your annual A/C maintenance. Our trained technicians at Heating Specialties will thoroughly inspect your system, tightening any loose connections and catching problems early before they have a chance to become major headaches. Call us at (866) 923-2653 or reach out online. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding service to our customers.