5 dos – and 1 absolute don’t

FOR many homeowners, prepping their central air conditioning setups for inactivity during the cooler seasons is as simple as switching settings from AC to heat.

While it may seem unnecessary to winterize your actual AC unit itself, there are many benefits to doing so which will not only maximize your condenser’s lifespan, but also its performance when you need it.

However, there are some very specific steps to take when winterizing an outside condenser, including one that homeowners must avoid at all costs.

The first and arguably most important step is to kill the power to the condenser itself. This will prevent it from automatically turning back on during a warm day in the fall or spring.

While turning off the condenser’s power itself, homeowners have the opportunity to get deeper into the unit and clear out any debris within.

This can include leaves, grass clippings, trash, and other items caught up in the condenser’s fins while it was active during the summer.

To prevent more debris from falling in after doing so, homeowners can cover the fins and exposed top of the unit with a piece of plywood cut to be slightly larger than the condenser itself.

After setting up the plywood, place weights on each of its four corners to hold it down in place throughout the colder months. This will not only prevent debris from getting in the unit, but also moisture generated by wet winter weather.

To further protect the unit from inclement weather, homeowners can apply a coat of car wax to its metal exterior. This will prevent damage, including rust, from rain, snow, sleet, and other forms of winter precipitation.

While wrapping your unit in plastic may seem like a similarly good idea along the same lines, it’s arguably the single biggest act to avoid when winterizing your unit.

Doing so will remove the unit’s breathability, ensuring whatever moisture is inside stays, leading to rust, general deterioration, and possibly even damage to electrical systems.

This will also create a dry and welcoming environment for animals and insects looking to escape winter’s chill, which could lead to further damage to the unit in turn.

The final step homeowners should take in winterizing their condensers is to be vigilant in clearing snow and ice from it throughout the season.

Combined with the above steps, this will minimize the risk of rust and deterioration, ensuring your unit is performing as well as it possibly can come the next dog days of summer.

Cleaning hacks and tips

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