Your central air conditioner takes care of you throughout the summer, so winterize the unit to keep it in top-notch shape during the cold weather. You’ll need foam pipe covers, a plastic cover large enough to drape over the unit, bungee cords, a hose, and duct tape. Here’s how to keep the AC safe in the winter.

How to Prepare the Central Air Conditioner for Cold Weather

1. Find the Circuit Box

This is mounted on the outside of your house, right next to the air conditioning unit itself. It should have a plastic or metal cover. Open the lid and flip to switch to cut the power supply, preventing the air conditioner from turning on when you hit an unusually warm winter day. It also keeps water out of the unit that could potentially freeze.

2. Clean the Unit

If the weather’s warm enough, use the garden hose to gently wash the unit. Remove any dirt, dust, dead bugs, bird droppings, grass clippings, leaves, and branches. Don’t use a hard-bristled brush; it could damage the unit.

3. Prevent Freezing

Cover the exposed exterior pipes with foam covers. To do so, cut the foam to fit the length and diameter of the pipes. Use duct tape to hold the foam in place.

4. Cover the Unit

Use a piece of plastic or vinyl or purchase a waterproof AC cover. If you don’t use a cover made to fit your unit, use bungee cords to secure the plastic or vinyl so that it doesn’t blow away during months of inclement weather.

5. Watch Throughout Winter

Once you’ve taken care of the central air conditioning unit, check it periodically to keep the top clear of snow, ice, and any other debris. Remove small branches and dead leaves from around the unit, and rearrange the protective plastic cover if it’s shifted. That way, the unit is protected until it’s summer again.

If you need heating maintenance this winter, contact the professionals at Reading Heating & Air Conditioning. They are experts in AC and heating installation and repair and work on boilers, furnaces, geothermal systems, air handlers, ductless units, heat pumps, and more. Call (513) 821-1633 to schedule an appointment, and visit them online to see all their products and services.