A Homeowner’s Guide to Winterizing Your Outdoor HVAC Unit

With winter weather already in full swing, it’s likely been a while since you switched off your air conditioner for the season.

And if you’re like many homeowners, you likely turned it off, cranked up the heat, and forgot about it entirely.

But people don’t always realize is how important it is to winterize air conditioning units. The Department of Energy advises that regular cleaning and maintenance like winterizing can help keep your unit running smoothly and efficiently, longer.

Before you crank up the heat, take the time to show your HVAC unit some care. Keep reading to learn how to winterize your outdoor HVAC unit. 

Clean the Unit

The first step in preparing your HVAC unit for winter is to clean it.

Switch off your unit, then check it for any damage.

HVAC units offer a warm, safe spot for small animals to the shelter. Look under your unit for any signs that one may have built a nest inside. Another good indicator that rodents are sheltering in your unit is chewed wires.

If you find these, you’ll need to have your unit professionally serviced.

Clear away any dead bugs and debris from the unit, and wash it down with a damp cloth.

Make sure that you do this on a day when your unit can dry. Do this when it’s too cold out and you could cause ice to form within your unit, which could lead to damage. 

Replace the Filters

Once your unit is clean, it’s a good idea to go ahead and replace your filters if you didn’t do so at the end of winter last year.

Filters in your furnace need to be changed at least every six weeks. If you’re running your heat daily, you may want to change it closer to every four weeks to ensure your air is fresh and clean.

Cover the Unit and Exposed Pipes

Once your unit is clean and furnace filters replaced, cover your unit. A tarp or furnace cover works best.

Covering your ac unit in winter will help keep ice, snow, and debris from damaging your unit during the winter.

To keep your unit’s pipes from freezing, expanding, and cracking, cover those as well. Foam pipe covers are quick and easy to add to any exposed pipes.

Check in on Your Unit Regularly

Even after you’ve cleaned and covered your unit, your job isn’t quite done.

Besides replacing your filters every few weeks, you should also check in on your unit regularly.

Check for debris on your unit, ice forming around your pipes that could damage them, and to see if rodents or birds might be nesting in your unit.

Keeping Your Outdoor HVAC Unit Running Smoothly

To make sure that your outdoor HVAC unit is ready for turning on the air conditioner after winter, you need to winterize it. Besides keeping it running smoothly, regular care will also keep your unit as energy efficient as possible.