Seven End-of-season Air Conditioning Tips

As the air turns cooler and the leaves start changing

, it's time to think about shutting your air conditioning unit down for the winter. A little maintenance now will ensure that your AC will be ready to crank it up again when hot temperatures roll back around next season. Even the least mechanically-inclined homeowners can handle this job, and simply following these seven easy tips will go a long way toward protecting your investment.

1.Clear away the shrubbery: If you don't do it now, you'll just have to do it in the springtime! Chances are that the shrubs or trees growing near your condenser unit have been growing like crazy this summer. Now is the perfect time to prune them away from your air conditioner to ensure that leaves, twigs and branches will not become a problem this winter.

2.Give it a bath: All you need is a garden hose and maybe a soft-bristled scrub brush to do this job. You want to make sure your outside condenser unit is as clean as possible before putting a cover on it. Remove all dirt, debris, grass clippings, leaves, etc.

3.Towel it dry: Either allow your unit to air dry before covering or give it a good once-over with an old towel. If you cover it while it still has a puddle of water on top, you may end up with a rusty appliance come spring. Once it's dry, wipe or brush off any remaining dirt and you're ready to "put it to bed."

4.Cover: Cover your unit with an appropriately-sized weather-resistant tarp or with a plastic air conditioner cover. You don't necessarily HAVE to cover the condenser for it to keep working, but using this kind of protection is always a wise idea. It will keep water, sleet, ice and snow out of the unit and will go a long way toward preventing rust.

5.Tie it down: Use ties or bungee cords to make sure the cover is absolutely secure all season long. You can also stack your outdoor patio furniture near the condenser for extra security.

6.Check on it periodically during the winter: Make a sweep of your back yard every now and again and make sure the tarp or cover is remaining securely in place. If necessary, be sure to tighten the bungee cords.

7.Call a pro: Before putting your air conditioner to bed, be sure to call your local trusted air conditioning contractor if your unit has been showing signs of trouble. It's a lot easier to get problems fixed now when you don't need your air conditioner's services than it is to wait until the hot weather hits and your family is suffering.

A little common-sense maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment will go a long way toward preserving this most essential of home comfort systems.

by: Art Gib

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