How To Winterize Your Central Air Conditioner

As summer humidity turns into cool fall breezes throughout Ohio, you’re probably running your central air conditioner less and less each day. This means it’s a great time to winterize your air conditioner. “Winterizing” may sound intimidating, but don’t worry! Our team of certified professionals has put together this guide to help you winterize your AC. Every summer, we see significant damage to air conditioners that could have been prevented by winterizing the unit or implementing a regular maintenance plan. Following these steps will help keep your central air conditioner running efficiently after you turn it back on next summer.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Wet cloth
• Cover (Check with your manufacturer. You might not need a cover.)
• Foam pipe covers (available at home improvement stores)
• Duct tape

Turn Off Unit Outside

It’s imperative to shut off your central air conditioning unit outside — not just inside on your thermostat. This will help you avoid corrosion or mold in the coils if there’s another warm day in Ohio and your thermostat starts automatically. Outside, you will see a box attached to your home’s exterior. Your central air conditioner will have a switch to flip or a key to turn over to cut the circuit and prevent it from starting automatically.

Clear Debris & Wipe Down Unit

Pick a dry day to complete this step. First, clear away any debris such as sticks or bugs. Then, take your wet cloth and wipe the unit until it’s free of dust, dirt, and bird droppings. Wait until the unit is completely dry before moving on to step three.

Cover Unit

After your central air conditioner is dry, place the cover over your unit. Many manufacturers do not recommend a cover because AC units are made to endure even the harshest Ohio winter weather. In that case, you can place a plywood board over your unit to protect the top from falling ice and hold it down with bricks. Whichever method you choose, covering the unit will help you get the most value out of your central air conditioner for its total life expectancy.

Cover Exposed Pipes

Slip exposed pipes into your foam pipe covers and seal the seams with duct tape. During harsh freezes and snowy days, your pipes will stay insulated, which will help prevent them from bursting.

Check Your Furnace

Since you’re already winterizing your AC, check on your furnace, too. If you would like Blind & Sons to take a look, we’re happy to help! Give us a call at (330) 753-7711, and we’ll send a certified expert to make sure your furnace will keep you comfortable all season long.     

Briefly Inspect Your AC Each Month

Do a brief visual inspection once a month throughout the winter. Look for any holes in the cover and brush away heavy snow or ice collecting on the top.

Trust Blind & Sons To Keep Your Home Comfortable in Any Season

Blind & Sons has been a trusted Northeast Ohio heating, cooling, plumbing, and electric provider since 1937. We’re proud to serve Ohio residents with our 100% satisfaction guarantees and provide the best service possible with our Trust Certification. We also update our coupons and specials frequently with discounts for top-rated, energy-efficient products to keep your bills low. 

Do you have questions about your central air conditioning unit? The certified professionals at Blind & Sons can answer them! Call us at (330) 753-7711 or schedule an appointment online today.