How to Prepare Your AC for Its Winter Break

It’s hard to believe it, but 2020 is almost over. We’ve reached the winter months! You won’t use your air conditioning system during the winter, so there isn’t anything you need to do to prepare it for the season you may assume. Think again! Here at Coffey Ref, we recommend all of our commercial customers schedule a maintenance inspection and tune-up for their air conditioning system. 

The truth is that there are a few steps you can take to ensure the air conditioning system at your business is protected and in good shape during this period of inactivity. This will help make life easier when spring comes around and it needs to be turned back on. Below are steps to take to help your AC get through its winter hibernation:

#1 Get any needed repairs completed. If you’ve been hearing odd noises or smelling strange odors, now is the time to get it checked out and repaired. Don’t ignore one just because the unit is about to shut off for a while. Letting a problem linger over the winter can lead to bigger problems! For example, a refrigerant leak will continue to drain refrigerant through the season. Your future self will thank you!

#2 Shut the unit off. When the cold weather arrives for good, don’t simply stop using it by adjusting the thermostat to warmer temperatures. Actually turn it off by flipping the switch. The air conditioner has its own dedicated power switch. This will stop the AC from accidentally turning on during a brief rise in temperature, which can damage it and cost you money unnecessarily.

#3 Clean the condenser. Your condenser is outdoors. Take off as much dirt and debris as possible from the condenser now before these items become frozen to it. Pick up leaves and other debris, then use a hose on low pressure to wash off the exterior. 

#4 Cover it. After you have cleaned off the condenser, give it time to dry. Once a bit of time has passed, place a waterproof covering over the exterior portion of your HVAC unit’s condenser and secure it. This is the best way to prevent winter weather from damaging it. You may want to use bungee cords or rope to tie down the tarp or covering so strong winds won’t rip it away.

And with that, your air conditioner will be in great shape for its winter vacation and you can focus on your home heating. For any and all commercial HVAC needs in the Kennewick, WA area, contact us here at Coffey Ref. You can call us at (509) 586-1519 or send us an email using the simple form right on our website. We’ll be out to your restaurant, office building, school, or other commercial building very soon. When the springtime comes and the temperatures rise again, you’ll be so happy with yourself that you planned ahead and your HVAC is in working order.