As fall ushers in cooler temperatures and lower humidity, AC use little by little declines. Before you turn off your air conditioner for winter, make sure to protect the outside condenser from the elements. The following are five easy ways to make sure that your air conditioner’s condenser unit is ready when summer arrives.
1. Clear the Perimeter of Your AC
Year-round, your outdoor condenser unit must have at least 24 inches of clearance on all sides. In summer, when your AC is in use, this clearance ensures airflow. When refrigerant travels back to the condenser unit as a hot, high-pressure gas, the airflow helps it shed heat.
In fall and winter, removing leaves, twigs, and debris keeps your condenser less attractive to outdoor pests. It also makes it less accessible. If necessary, you should trim back any nearby grass, shrubs, and trees.
2. Limb Overhanging Trees
Heavy snow loads and ice can cause weak, dying, or diseased tree branches and limbs to come crashing down. Falling branches can cause serious damage to a condenser unit. They’re also major safety hazards that place you at risk for premises liability claims. Trim the tree limbs that overhang your outdoor AC unit to make sure the condenser unit is safe.
3. Clean Your Gutter and Maintain Your Roof
Take the time to clean your gutters before winter arrives. This way, you won’t have runoff spilling over the sides of your gutters and falling into your condenser unit. Clean your gutters before the temperatures drop. This helps stop ice dams and heavy buildups. If you don’t, your gutters might detach and fall. Pre-season gutter cleaning will also limit the formation of large icicles that could fall onto the condenser unit.
4. Explore Your Options in Condenser Unit Protection
AC condensers are durable and weather-resistant in their own right. Covering the condenser unit can shield it from outside elements. But it can also trap moisture inside. Covering your condenser unit from fall until spring could lead to mold, mildew, and rust formation. It can also shorten the lifespan of your condenser and compressor.
You might need a mesh covering or a sturdy, open-sided overhang for this unit. This is important if your condenser is at high risk of damage from heavy falling objects. Falling icicles, pine cones, and snow loads will have far less of an impact if your AC condenser has the right protection. The best way to choose and install this protection is to work with a licensed HVAC company. They know how to shield your AC from winter elements.
You can get recommendations for off-season condenser maintenance from a local HVAC company. For expert advice, contact Blaze Air in North Carolina for AC repair today.