How to Properly Turn Off Your AC for the Winter

November 18, 2020

How to Turn Off Your AC Unit!

It’s about that time to start preparing your air conditioning for the winter. The last few days of 70 degree weather are right around the corner, which means everyone in Arkansas will be getting their homes ready for the next bout of weather! Many homeowners look forward to the satisfaction of turning their AC off, which probably ran non-stop during the summer, but without taking the proper precautions, you pose a risk of severe damage to the system and yourself.   

For instance, there is always a chance that a warm front will move through unexpectedly during the winter. If your air conditioning turns on to adjust the temperature, any ice or water idling around the outdoor unit might be sucked into the interior components, which is why homeowners can’t simply turn their AC off with their thermostat.

When you prepare your system for the winter, it’s important to clean any dirt, debris, and any droppings that have settled in the unit. This way your system will be ready to kick back on when the weather starts to warm. Plus, by turning off your AC completely, you reduce the chance of electrocution when you do go into clean your system.

Getting Started

You can begin to prepare your air conditioner for the winter once you’ve cut the power to the unit. Go outside to your unit and locate the electrical center for your AC. It will look like a covered panel near the condenser unit. Open the cover and flip the switch to the off position. Then, you can start to clean the system!

Cleaning Your Outdoor AC Unit

The condenser coil around the unit might be cluttered with leaves, dirt, sticks, dust, and more, especially if it worked hard for your home this past summer. You can prevent these obstructions from causing long term damage to the system by clearing everything out on calm day, when dust is less likely to get back into the unit while you clean.

If the amount of dirt and grime is excessive, you can hose off the unit, but just be sure to let it dry completely before moving on to the next step. Finally, clear the surrounding area of leaves and debris regularly to prevent further wear and tear on your system.

Protecting Your AC

While your air conditioning system dries for a few hours, you can decide which type of cover you want to choose so the outdoor unit is protected all season long. The most important criteria for your cover is whether or not it is waterproof. Truly protecting your unit means preventing any moisture from entering the system while it isn’t operating.

If your unit is already under the cover of a structure attached to your home, then make sure it the roof extends past three feet of the system. Alternatively, a waterproof plastic or AC specific cover will work fine to keep everything dry come winter. You might need some bungee cords or string to keep it secure, though!

When it’s time to hunker down for a long, cold winter, Mohr AC is here to help! Call our skilled technicians for all of your HVAC needs.