Your air conditioner was designed to be able to withstand rain and the elements without any issues. That being said, snow and ice are completely different and can potentially cause major damage. For this reason, it is important that you take a few steps to get your air conditioner ready for winter and ensure it is protected. The best way to do this is to schedule a professional for a maintenance visit. Here is what a professional will do:
Power Down Your AC
Once the temperature begins to cool down and you no longer need to rely on your air conditioning, you should always shut the power off to the outdoor unit. Most systems will have a power switch located outside the home on a wall near the AC unit. In this case, all you have to do is open the panel and flip the switch to the OFF position. If your home doesn't have an outdoor switch, you will need to go to your main electrical panel and flip the circuit breaker that controls the AC unit instead. Shutting off the power is important for two reasons. The first is that it prevents accidental electrocution while performing the other necessary maintenance tasks. The bigger reason is that it ensures that your AC can't turn on during the winter. Even if you accidentally switch your thermostat to cooling mode, the AC won't turn on since the unit has no power. Running your air conditioning in cold weather can be extremely damaging and potentially ruin the unit. If the temperature outside is cold, the AC unit can freeze up within a few minutes of turning on. If it continues to run when frozen, the compressor motor will eventually overheat and may burn out. Turning the power ensures that this won't ever happen. Please note that if your air conditioner is actually a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling, this step will not be necessary.
Clean the Outdoor AC unit
Leaves, dirt, sticks, pine needles and other debris will always collect in and around your outdoor AC unit during the summer, and this can create issues with overheating and a variety of other problems. If you have your AC professionally maintained every spring, the HVAC technician will fully clean out the entire outside unit to prevent these issues. However, it is always a good idea to also have this done in the fall once you're done using your AC for the year. This way you can ensure that your AC system is ready to go next year in case the weather suddenly heats up before you can have it maintained again. An HVAC technician will first remove any debris from within the unit and also anything that is stuck to its side panels. This is also something you can do yourself. However, what you can't do is properly clean the unit's condenser coil to make sure it isn't coated with dirt and dust. If the coil is dirty, it can prevent the unit from being able to properly release heat and may cause overheating, higher energy costs and numerous other problems. For this reason, it is always a good idea to have your AC professionally cleaned and maintained at the same time as you get your heating system ready for the winter.
Inspect for Any Issues
During the maintenance appointment, the technician will also fully inspect the outdoor unit as well as all of your indoor HVAC components. This is important as it enables the technician to identify any issues that could hamper the system's effectiveness or energy efficiency. Air conditioners can often experience fairly minor problems that are simple to fix. However, these small problems can quickly turn into a much more serious issue if not taken care of promptly. This is another reason why we always recommend having your entire HVAC system professionally inspected and maintained every spring and every fall. By doing so, you can also eliminate any problems with your ductwork or blower fan, which is important as these will also affect your heating system.
Use a Cover to Protect Your AC From Snow and Ice
Too much snow and ice can cause major issues when you turn your AC back on in the spring. This is why it is always a good idea to cover your AC unit during the winter to prevent snow and ice from accumulating inside the unit. Many people simply use a tarp to cover their AC for the winter, but this is never recommended. Instead, you should always use a cover that is specifically designed for air conditioners. The issue with using tarps or any type of plastic cover is that they won't allow the AC unit to breathe, and this can lead to moisture accumulating inside the unit and damaging its wiring, motors and components. Excessive moisture can also cause the compressor and fan motors to begin to rust or the condenser coil to crack. AC covers are designed to be waterproof while still allowing enough airflow that moisture can't build up. If you do decide to use a tarp, you should only cover the top few inches of the unit so that there is still sufficient airflow. The other option is to put a piece of plywood over the top of the unit to ensure snow and ice can't get inside. Again, if your AC is actually a heat pump, you will not cover it because it will limit airflow and strain the machine.
Make Sure the Refrigerant Lines Are Well Insulated
The refrigerant inside of your AC system is extremely good at capturing both heat and cold from the air. This is usually a good thing since this property is what allows your air conditioning to effectively remove latent heat from the home. However, this same property can cause serious issues during the winter if your AC unit and refrigerant lines aren't well insulated. Insulation helps to protect the refrigerant from being exposed to extreme cold. Since the refrigerant is so effective at capturing cold, it can easily freeze inside the refrigerant lines or condenser coil during the winter. When this happens, the refrigerant will expand and can cause the coil to crack or the copper refrigerant line to rupture. This problem can be prevented by making sure that the exposed refrigerant lines are fully covered in foam insulation and that the insulation is tightly secured. An AC cover will also help to prevent the condenser coil from becoming too cold and cracking.
Continue to Check on Your AC Throughout the Winter
Once winter sets in, you should make sure to regularly check your AC unit every week or two and especially after a major snowstorm. Even if you have a cover on the unit, it is still a good idea to clear the snow off of it. You should also clear any deep snow from around the sides of the unit and remove any debris.
Expert HVAC Maintenance Services
At McCrea Plumbing, Heating and Air, we specialize in HVAC maintenance and can help you ensure that both your AC and your heating system are ready for winter. We service, repair and maintain all models of furnaces, AC units, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits for residents in the Payette area, and we also work on commercial HVAC systems. Our team also specializes in indoor air quality as well as duct cleaning and sealing. We also have licensed plumbers that install and repair any plumbing fixtures as well as water heaters, filtration systems and well pumps. If you need HVAC maintenance or any other service, contact us today.