Your air conditioner has worked hard all summer, and now it can relax. How do you look after your unit in the winter? During the off-season, there are a few things you should do to maintain the AC unit. 

Why is it important to winterize your AC unit? 

During hot, humid months, your HVAC system keeps your home dry and cool. As the bright summer days give way to cooler temperatures, it’s time to winterize the HVAC system to protect it from snow and ice. During the winter, water, snow, and debris can accumulate around your AC unit, clogging, rusting, and deteriorating the mechanical parts from the inside. Furthermore, insects can build a nest inside the air conditioner. 

Tips to prepare your air conditioner for winter 

Clean Your Unit

Your device has most likely accumulated a significant amount of dust and filth over the course of the year. As a result, the first thing you need to do is clean out all of the accumulated filth. Using a damp towel, wipe the unit down. You’ll need to make sure your air conditioner is totally dry before continuing with the winterizing process, so do it on a warmer day if possible.

Remove any debris you discover around the unit after wiping it down. Any sticks or leaves found at the base should be removed because these encourage small animals to burrow in the units over the winter. During the off-season, the last thing you want is for furry families to nibble on your cables. Alternatively, you can contact a company that can effectively clean your air conditioning unit. 

Turn the Air Conditioning Unit Off

Make sure your air conditioner is turned off before you do anything. By heading over to the outdoor system and finding the on/off switch, you can turn off the power. The switch is usually hidden beneath a metal or plastic lid. Remove the switch from the on position and place it in the off position.

• Warning: Despite how tempting it may be, do not turn off your air conditioner using the thermostat. When an air conditioner is turned off at the thermostat, it has a habit of turning back on when the room becomes too hot. If your air conditioner is turned on in the middle of the winter, water may be drawn into the coils and freeze, causing your air conditioner to corrode or rust.

Cover Your Air Conditioning Unit

Make sure your air conditioner is completely dry before wrapping it for the winter. After that, you can cover the unit with a tarp or a plastic or vinyl cover developed specifically for safeguarding outside air conditioners. If you do use a tarp, make sure it’s large enough to cover the entire unit.

To ensure that the cover can resist heavy winds, make sure it is securely fastened. It’s recommended that you use bungee cords or vinyl rope to secure the cover, but you can alternatively use a piece of plywood and a block if you like.

Insulate the Air Conditioning Pipes

It’s critical that you protect both your pipes and your unit. When the weather becomes cold, your pipes can freeze and explode if you don’t have enough insulation. So, make sure you don’t omit this step by accident. Foam pipe covers can be used to protect your pipes. Install readymade elbow-shaped foam covers on the corners of your pipes first. Because certain elbow-shaped foam covers are adhesive, you only need to remove the backing strip and squeeze the cover over the pipe.

Once the corners are covered, measure the exposed pipe and cut the foam to suit the length of the pipe with a sharp knife. The foam cover should wrap around the pipe snugly. If the foam becomes loose, cover it with duct tape to keep it in place. It’s quite safe to keep the foam coverings on your pipes all year. You won’t have to repeat this process if your pipes are still adequately protected next year.

Monitor the Air Conditioning Unit Through Winter

Your job is over once you’ve covered your pipes. Nonetheless, you’ll need to keep an eye on your unit during the winter. Inspect your air conditioner every couple of weeks and if there is a change in the weather. 

Brush off any snow, ice, or water that has accumulated on top of the cover each time you check on it. Also, make sure there is no debris in the area and that all animals are kept away from it. If you notice that your cover has shifted in any way, make sure to adjust it so that your air conditioner is still protected.

What should my air conditioner be set on in the winter?

Why is it important to find the right temperature?

When winter arrives, it can be tough to stay warm, especially if you live in an older Canadian home. Buying an air conditioner with reverse cycle heating and cooling is a good start, but how do you locate the ‘sweet spot’ temperature? The ideal temperature on the thermostat that improves your comfort without driving up your electricity bill.

The environment we live in has a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. Here are some of the reasons why it’s important to set the right temperature:

• Virus susceptibility – Lowering your temperature too low might irritate your mucous membranes, making you more prone to colds and other infections.
• Sleep quality – A room that is overly hot or cold can make it difficult to fall and remain asleep, upsetting our sleep cycle and leaving us tired the next day.
• Muscle soreness and weariness – Cold temperatures can cause muscle soreness and exhaustion since the body can’t rest if it’s constantly tight.
• Overeating – As temperatures drop, our appetites may increase, leading us to overeat in an attempt to stay warm.
• Focus – When our bodies are occupied with the cold, our ability to concentrate may suffer. Maintaining a balanced temperature in the home can help people who work from home and students focus on duties.

The Verdict?

In the winter and throughout the year, most experts recommend setting your air conditioner’s thermostat around 18-20°C. In terms of energy efficiency, this is the best temperature. However, everyone’s ideal temperature is different. A warmer climate is excellent for babies, the elderly, and those who are ill. Have an open conversation with the people who reside in the same house in order to reach a happy medium.

Air conditioning cleaning services 

For more than 50 years, Groupe Rousso has been a leader in microbiological cleaning of air conditioners, ventilation, dryer ducts, and decontamination. Rousseau Réfrigération changed its name to Distribution Rousso International Ltée in 2013 in order to maintain its expansion, and now serves Eastern Canada with a microbiological cleaning approach that is unique in the market. 

When the winter rolls in, it is important to have your AC unit air filters cleaned to ensure your indoor air quality is improved, reduce health risks and make sure performance issues don’t occur. Rousso is known for its expertise in the installation and maintenance of air conditioners and heat pumps throughout Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. If you are looking to get ahead before the cold season then contact Rousso for all your air conditioning cleaning services and heat-pump products!