Just because you don't need your air conditioner the rest of this season doesn't mean you should just turn it off and leave it. This is the best time to perform maintenance on your system. You've used it all season long, and there's a good chance your system is in need of a good cleaning. Read on for some end-of-season maintenance you should be doing.
Remove Weeds/Tall Grass
Remove brush from around your air conditioning unit. You may have some over-growing weeds or trimming that you haven't been able to get to in a while -- all of this needs to be removed. Also remove anything that could damage your unit, such as bushes growing too close to your unit. Clip back these bushes to prevent damage.
Clean The Exterior
The fins on the unit most likely have a lot of debris coating the exterior. If it looks like your air conditioner is wearing a wool blanket, it's time to get your unit clean. Use a shop vacuum with a brush extension to clean the fins. Be sure not to press too hard on the vacuum head to prevent bending the fins. If you bend the fins, you may need to replace the entire unit. Bent fins can cause an issue with airflow. If you still have your outside spigot turned on, you can spray down your unit with the garden hose as well. Clean it until you no longer see any debris clogging the fins.
Remove Debris From The Inside
Debris can also fall into the unit throughout the summer and in the beginning of the fall season. Open up the lid to the unit and remove anything inside that fell in, such as leaves, dirt, and tree branches. You may even have some pests inside the unit, so be cautious when you get close in case any pests such as wasps or bees are still alive.
Cover The Unit
Once the unit is completely clean, use a cover or a tarp to protect the unit throughout the winter months. Using a cover over the top can prevent other debris from falling inside the unit and can also help prevent any pests from getting inside as well. Keep it covered until you need it next spring.
Just because it's the end of the season doesn't mean you can turn off the air conditioner and forget about it. Perform end-of-season maintenance to ensure it runs properly next year when you need it again. Talk to a professional HVAC company about more end-of-season tips for your unit.
Share29 October 2018
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