If you live in Ontario, you know that winter can come without warning. That’s why it’s important to winterize your air conditioning unit before the first snowfall. By taking some simple steps to protect your AC, you can avoid damage from harsh weather, ice, and rust.
When winterizing your AC unit, the first thing you should do is shut off the power to the unit. This way, even if there’s a warm day during the fall or spring, the unit won’t turn on. Next, remove any debris that’s stuck in the unit. It’s common for the fins of the condenser to collect leaves, grass clippings, trash, and other materials throughout the summer.
Winterizing Your AC Short Checklist
Here is a checklist to get you prepare for the winter months when they arrive
1. Drain the unit: Remove any water that could freeze and cause damage.
2. Clean the unit: Remove any dirt or leaves that could clog the system.
3. Check for damage: Inspect the unit for any signs of wear and tear.
4. Turn off power to the AC Unit.
This is just a simple checklist, we often hear many questions so here is a list of the most frequently asked questions we get asked around this subject.
Winterizing your AC for the cooler season? Definitely DO NOT do this one thing!
If you’re thinking about winterizing your air conditioner, don’t make the mistake of wrapping the condenser in plastic.
Do Not Wrap your AC unit in Plastic.
This can actually do more harm than good, leading to rusting and other deterioration due to trapped moisture. You’re also creating a safe space where small animals could start warm and dry. So save yourself the trouble and leave the plastic wrap off your AC unit this winter.
What happens if you don’t winterize your AC unit?
If you don’t winterize your AC unit, it could be damaged by the cold weather, snow, and ice. This damage could include rusting, freezing, and clogging. All of these problems can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of your unit, and may even cause it to break down completely.
What is the best way to winterize my AC unit?
There are a few different ways to winterize your AC unit, but the most important thing is to cover it and drain it before the cold weather hits. You can also clean the unit and check for any damage that may have occurred over the course of the year. By taking these simple steps, you can protect your AC unit from the winter weather and keep it in top working condition.
If your winter cover for your AC has become lost or damaged, Canadian Tire has a couple of good deals on products. Here is one cover they offer. They have a couple of different sizes to choose from, so be sure to measure your AC before you go to pick one up.
We hope this article helps to answer some questions, if you still have more questions by all means give us a call, and if you’re getting ready for the cooler season, check out our page on furnace maintenance.