Winter HVAC protection involves a series of steps designed to protect your air conditioner through the winter. Tips include scheduling maintenance, changing your filters, and even covering your condenser. These tips and tricks will extend the life of your system and keep your family comfortable all year long.
Change the Filter
The beginning of winter also marks the end of the cooling season for most Floridians. This means open windows and cool ocean air. When cooling season has slowed significantly, be sure to change your air filter. This will simply save you a step the next time you need to use your air conditioner, and it will also extend the life of your system significantly. Remember – a dirty air filter affects efficiency, longevity, and energy costs.
Clean the Ductwork
Another excellent winter HVAC protection tip involves cleaning out your ductwork while the air conditioner is not in use. There’s no better time to do it since the system will be off. You can do it yourself using a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner, but you can also schedule professional duct cleaning, if you prefer. The latter is more thorough since HVAC technicians will use commercial-grade tools.
Schedule Maintenance
The most important part of winter HVAC protection is scheduled annual maintenance, and there’s no better time to do it. You won’t need your air conditioner to keep you cool, and because it is the off season, most HVAC companies have plenty of openings to fit your individual schedule. These inspections allow technicians to catch potential issues before they turn into expensive repairs, and they also help keep your system more efficient, which saves money on your energy bills.
Consider an Energy Audit
Finally, now that the sweltering heat has made its way out, consider hiring a professional for an energy audit. These individuals will check your windows, doors, floors, and more for air leaks, which could be raising your energy bills and putting undue strain on your HVAC system. By finding and resolving these issues, you will likely save money during the next cooling system, which makes your audit more like an investment.
Should You Cover Your Condenser for Winter HVAC Protection?
There is some debate as to whether it is really necessary to cover your condenser during the winter months. For some, it’s routine winter HVAC protection. For others, it may cause more problems. Simply put, by covering the condenser, you may trap moisture inside, which can rust components. Trapped moisture can even cause the coils to bend. However, if there are trees just above your condenser, the cover can protect the unit from falling leaves and debris during storms. If you do cover your condenser, leave about a foot of coil exposed so moist air can escape, and cover it with breathable material like linen instead of a plastic tarp.
Winter HVAC protection can extend the life of your unit, keep your family more comfortable, and even save you money on your electric bills. Remember to call today to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance if you haven’t done so already, because this is the most important step.
