Updated at: 19-04-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

During the fall season, have you ever wondered, “How can I winterize my air conditioner?” Going outside in the first few days of fall is a treat for everyone who has been waiting all summer to see the leaves turn orange and feel the crisp breeze.

This time of year is also an excellent time for people to make meaningful memories and reminisce about their favorite autumnal customs. The fall is a wonderful time of year. However, we could not ignore the fact that this season is a transition to the cold and brutal winter.

As a result, this time of year isn’t just a good time to visit Starbucks and grab a pumpkin spice latte. Preparing your air conditioner for winter is also a good idea at this time of year.

Here, we’ll look at a few methods for winterizing an air conditioner to keep out ice, snow, and other winter debris. As autumn begins, let’s get our air conditioners ready for the upcoming winter season.

Why Is There A Need To Winterize An Air Conditioner?

Imagine a sweltering hot day in the middle of the summer as you transition from winter to summer. Everything will be fine, of course, because you have a cooling system to keep you relaxed and stress-free. In the event your air conditioner malfunctions at this time of year and you are unable to chill your room, what options do you have? Considering how sweltering it is in your chamber, this is akin to visiting the depths of hell.

Prepping Your Air Conditioner for Winter

Because of their sensitivity, air conditioners can break down if their owners don’t take proper care of them. A machine conditioned outside can nevertheless be damaged by snow and debris brought on by the hard winter season. Winterizing an air conditioner is therefore necessary in order to keep it running. In addition, it is a simple chore, so why not do it yourself rather than face the consequences of having to pay for repairs?

Why it’s important to winterize your AC Unit?

You can keep your home dry and cool during the sweltering summer months thanks to your HVAC unit. It’s time to winterize the HVAC system now that the sunny summer days are giving way to the frigid ones. During the winter, water, snow, and other debris can accumulate around your AC unit, causing mechanical parts to clog, rust, and deteriorate. Critters can also build a nest within the air conditioner. Every year, you must winterize your AC unit to keep it safe from the weather.

Tips To Winterize Your AC Unit

Because they can be rather pricey, air conditioners, you want to make sure they last as long as possible. Your AC unit may need costly repairs or perhaps a complete replacement if you don’t pay attention to it throughout the winter months. If you want to keep your AC unit safe from the cold, take these precautions now.

The first thing you need to do with your air conditioner is to turn it off. Shut down your device by turning off the power switch. The switch is usually hidden by a metal or plastic cover. Turn the power off by flipping the switch. As a result, your AC unit will not switch on during the hottest days of the year, preventing water from freezing overnight and causing harm to your system.

Your unit accumulates dirt and dust during the summer months, so it’s important to keep it clean at all times. With a moist, clean towel, remove all of the muck. If you notice sticks or leaves near your AC unit, remove them since they can attract tiny animals to winter in your AC unit. Off-season infestations of bugs, birds, and other small creatures are the last thing you want.

A watertight (plastic or vinyl) cover should be placed over the HVAC unit. The AC unit should be entirely dry before you wrap it. You can also cover your HVAC unit with a tarp. Consider how much space you’ll need for the tarp. To withstand heavy gusts, tie down the cover using bungee cords or vinyl rope.

Insulating the pipes isn’t adequate to protect the AC unit. Covering the AC unit’s pipes is also a need. When the temperature drops, pipes might freeze and explode if they aren’t properly protected. Please don’t forget about this step. Foam pipe covers can be used to protect the AC unit’s pipes. The foam cover should also fit snugly around the pipe, so keep that in mind as well. Duct tape can be used to keep the foam cover in position. The foam covers surrounding your pipes are safe to leave on all year long. You’ll save yourself the trouble of having to do this every year.

Make sure to keep a look out for the unit all winter long – It doesn’t mean you’re done here if you’ve covered the pipes and the AC unit. In the winter, you’ll still need to monitor your air conditioning device. Every time the weather is terrible, check your air conditioner for any problems.

Protect your Air Conditioning System from Winter Rain | Bay Area HVAC

Make sure the cover is clear of any snow, ice, water, or other debris. Animals should be kept away from the area whenever possible. Keep an eye out for any movement in your air conditioner cover, and adjust it accordingly if it’s out of place.

Best time to winterize your AC units

The greatest time to prepare your heating and air conditioning system is in the early fall, when the windows are closed and the heat is turned on. Winterizing your air conditioner is best done on a sunny day.

We always recommend following these measures to winterize your air conditioner. When it comes to HVAC upkeep, we suggest that you follow the instructions provided by the HVAC manufacturer. If your appliance breaks down due to normal wear and tear and you followed the manufacturer’s instructions, your home warranty should cover the cost of repairs or a replacement.

Contact or schedule an appointment with us immediately if your HVAC system is creating a lot of noise or isn’t working properly, and you’re in need of prompt and dependable HVAC maintenance in Southern New Jersey.

Steps To Winterize An Air Conditioner

How to winterize an air conditioner is something you’ll be thinking about all autumn long. It’s possible that you’re wondering just how difficult or time-consuming the process is. Even so, the steps of winterizing an air conditioner are as simple as counting from one to five. To put it another way, what are the procedures to winterizing an air conditioner?

Step #1. Shut down the power

To avoid any danger, the first step in winterizing an air conditioner is to turn off the power. The switch for your air conditioner’s exterior system is usually located near its lid.

Step #2. Remove any dust particles on your AC

Throughout the year, your air conditioner has been there for you. As a result, your air conditioner is likely to become clogged with dust and other debris. Therefore, when preparing your air conditioner for the winter, one of your primary steps is to clean it. However, you must first clear all of the dust that has formed on your air conditioner.

Dampen a rag and carefully wipe the air conditioner’s cover with it. After you’ve done this, take up any leaves or dead insects that you can discover on your air conditioner. You’ll have to wait for the device to dry after cleaning it. Small animals will gnaw on your AC, so be sure to check for them if you see any around it.

Step #3. Put a wrap on your AC

After you’ve cleaned and dried your air conditioner, it’s time to wrap it up. Make sure you get an AC system wrap while shopping for a wrap. Tarps, as well as plastic and vinyl, are acceptable materials.

Tarps should be the proper size for the job so that you don’t have to worry about covering the entire structure with too few tarps. When you’re done wrapping your air conditioner, be sure to do it tightly. To keep it in place, you can use cords and ropes. Brick or plywood can be used instead if none are available.

Step #4. Protect the pipes

Your air conditioner’s pipes must also be protected throughout the winter months. The pipes of an air conditioner might freeze or burst during the winter if they are not protected.

Foam can be used to cover your pipes to prevent this from happening. The first step is to put elbow-shaped foam covers on the margins of the pipes, as shown in the diagram.

After you’ve foam-covered all of the pipes’ edges, you’ll need to measure the remaining length of the pipes and trim the foam. Make certain that the pipe cover can completely encircle the pipe for a secure fit. Duct tape can then be used to keep the foam in place.

Step #5. Check your air conditioner from time to time during the winter

Stage 5 is the final step, which is to examine your air conditioner in the winter. You don’t have to check it every week; you can do it every two weeks instead. Make sure to clean your air conditioner’s cover if you see snow or other debris. Also, be sure to keep an eye on your wrappings and make any necessary alterations.

How to Winterize an Air Conditioner | Blain's Farm & Fleet Blog

Is it Okay to Leave an Air Conditioner in the Window During Winter?

Even though it’s tempting, you should avoid leaving your air conditioner running in your window all winter. The easiest approach to keep your air conditioner safe from the elements is to remove it and store it. It will also aid in the sealing of your room, preventing the entry of any chilly air.

Wrapping Up!

In the winter, it’s especially important to look after your air conditioner because of the high humidity. Prepare your air conditioner for the cold and harsh evenings by learning how to winterize it. Check out the rest of the site for more intriguing content. I’ll see you in the next post.