Temperatures are starting to cool down around here, which means it is time to switch your thermostat from heating to cooling. As you begin setting up your furnace for the winter, you may also be thinking about how you’re going to protect your AC for the winter. Your A/C includes an indoor unit and an outdoor condenser that both need to be shut down and protected before the colder season appears. When knowing how to properly shut down your AC before winter guarantees a properly operating AC for the following spring and summer to come. At Upper Arlington Heating & Air, we can show you how to shut down and protect your A/C from the unpredictable weather Ohio brings during the winter seasons.

Here are a couple of steps to help you better prepare your home for the winter season:

Repair Pre-Existing Damages 

Before your AC gets shut off for the summer season, you should inspect your equipment for any maintenance issues or damages. Especially check for damages on your outdoor condenser and indoor unit. Leaving your AC’s equipment unmaintained for the winter could leave your AC susceptible to damage and the possibility of not turning on next season. 

Shutting down Your Condenser

Oftentimes, folks think that all of your equipment will be shut down by just switching your thermostat inside to “off” or “heat.” However, this is not exactly true. If a warm spell happens to come through, your A/C has the possibility of still switching on. In this case, your outdoor condenser may start sucking in ice and snow, which can lead to inevitable damages. To shut down your indoor unit and outdoor condenser, find your AC’s breaker and switch it off. Generally, you can locate it under a lid near the outdoor condenser or on the side of your house. Make sure not to forget to switch that switch back on when spring rolls around.

Clean and Coverup

Lastly, make sure to clean up around and on the outdoor condenser and cover it up. Start by sweeping your unit; this will help by removing dirt, leaves, branches, and debris from around the area of the outdoor condenser. Then take a gardening hose and moderately spray down your equipment and give it time to dry. While your equipment is drying, run another inspection on your unit to ensure there are no loose seals or if you need to replace a dirty air filter. When you know your equipment is dry and in no need of repairs, cover your equipment. Typically, you can find waterproof covers for your outdoor condenser at hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowes. You can also use bungee cords and a waterproof tarp to cover your outdoor condenser as well.

Remember: shutting down and protecting your equipment before the colder season is very important!
If you still have questions or are looking to schedule maintenance or a repair, give us a call at Upper Arlington Heating & Air today at (614) 490-7507, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!