To keep your air conditioning units properly protected throughout the winter months, it is important that you follow your manufacturer’s instructions year-round. When you take the necessary precautions that your manual provides, your family will have a comfortably warm winter at home and you can expect to pay less on overall HVAC maintenance. If you aren’t sure how to protect your HVAC system in winter, be sure to contact a local A/C professional for help.
One of the most important is prepping your air conditioner for winter. To get things started, here are some great tips that can assist you with your efforts:
Tip #1 Covering Your A/C Unit
Should I cover my Air conditioner during the winter? Unfortunately, the answer to this question can vary from one professional HVAC contractor to the next. Because there are both pros and cons to covering your up AC, you need to know what they are before you can make your decision. Here are some distinct differences between both.
Pros of air conditioner covers
- Keeps out leaves, dirt, and debris
- Protects the internal electrical components
Cons of air conditioner covers
- Traps moisture; may cause corrosion, rust damage or mold growth
- Mice and other small animals may seek shelter under the A/C covering
Even though you may discover that there are pros and cons to covering your air conditioners in Texas winters, the ultimate decisions should be based on what most manufacturers recommend and what your AC professional suggests. These systems are built to withstand the outdoors and the harshest elements, but it can be helpful to take extra precautions.
Tip #2 Do Not Run Your AC in the Winter
When you live in a climate that has frequent, quick changes in temperature, you may need the cool air from your air conditioners in Texas winters at some point in time. Because nothing really stops you from flipping on the switch, you may be tempted to turn it on briefly to cool down your home. However, before you elect to turn your air on full force, the question that you should ask is Do I Need to Run My AC in Winter?
As a general rule of thumb, you should know that it is best to leave the unit off. This is because most HVAC technicians generally advise leaving your AC off in the winter. Also, to support this train of thought, manufacturers have built-in low ambient controls (operating unit in temperatures within set temp parameters) to prevent you from causing damage to the unit. If you have covered your A/C unit to protect it from the elements, you should not run the unit while the cover is on.
Tip #3 Contact a Professional HVAC Technician for Inspection, Repairs, and Maintenance
When the winter approaches, one of the best things that you can do for you and your family is to contact an HVAC technician to help you with prepping your units. These are the experts that can answer a variety of important question like:
- Can I run a central air conditioner in the winter?
- Will an Air Conditioner Work if It Is Cold Outside?
- Should I Cover My Air Conditioner After Summer?
- Air Conditioners and Winter: Are You Letting Cold Air In To Your Home?
By contacting these professionals and securing the best recommendations, your A/C units will last longer and everyone in the home can remain cool when the temperature on the outside is hot again.
