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For some of us in Southern Florida, our air conditioners run year-round. Even with cooler temperatures, an HVAC system has benefits to help with humidity and air quality around the home. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do to help during the winter. Whether you plan to turn off your AC or let it run, you can follow these steps to winterize your AC unit to help protect it from cooler temperatures and help it run its best.
Winterize the AC with These Steps
If you do plan to keep your air conditioner running during the Florida winter, that’s great! It’s even recommended in many cases because of high humidity levels and sunny, warm days letting in the heat. By following these steps to winterize your AC, you can eliminate the need for repair or replacement in many instances. No matter what type of system you use, you can do these things to improve the use of your air conditioner during the winter months.
Clean Your Ductwork
Think about how often you see dust building on different surfaces around your home. Now, imagine how much dirt, dust, and debris piles up inside your ducts. Cleaning all that buildup out of your duct system during the winter has several benefits. First, it will remove all of that debris to help your HVAC system run efficiently. Having a professional duct cleaning service clean your ducts will remove allergens like pollen and dander, which will also improve the air quality around your home, especially for those with allergies. While they clean, the professionals can also perform your yearly inspection to detect any leaks or other issues with the ducts. Then, by the time summer rolls around, your duct system is clean and ready to go.
Clean the AC Unit
If you have an HVAC system, it’s probably hidden away somewhere that you don’t see up close every day. Even outdoor units are typically hidden away and don’t get much attention. That means that dust, debris, leaves, or branches can gather on or around the unit without you noticing. If you plan to switch over to heat or turn off your AC during the winter, now is the best time to clean the outside of the AC before covering it to protect it for the winter. To winterize an AC indoors, the cleaning process can be as simple as wiping down the exterior and any other areas you can reach safely. A professional technician can do a more thorough cleaning in the areas that aren’t easily accessible. If outside, you should turn off the unit before clearing debris. Then, it’s time to cover the outdoor AC to keep it clean while it’s not in use.
Change the Filter
One step that many AC owners forget is changing the air filter on their AC unit. It might seem unnecessary, but failing to change your AC filter can have negative consequences. Like dirty ducts, an old filter makes your AC work harder to push air through, which can cause your system to fail sooner. But like a clean duct system, a clean filter will also improve your air quality throughout the home. It’s also one of the most cost-effective methods of maintaining your AC unit. Suppose you want to further improve the quality of the air. In that case, you can take the opportunity to install a polarized air cleaner that works more efficiently to keep allergens and particles out of your duct system. In addition to cleaner air, a filter can also reduce odors throughout your home from pet dander, smoke, and other smells.
Adjust Your Thermostat
This step might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s one of the best ways to winterize your AC. The most efficient way to adjust your thermostat that’s also easy on the system is to do it slowly. As the weather slowly changes, adjust the indoor temperature by one or two degrees at a time. Or, you can install a Wi-Fi thermostat that allows you to control the temperature remotely. You can set a program from wherever you are to adjust to unexpected weather changes, which can save you money and strain on your AC. They can also help you monitor the energy use and efficiency of your air conditioning unit to track its use over time.
Winterize Your AC with Chill Squad
At Chill Squad, we’re experienced at winterizing AC units in the Fort Myers area. In addition to AC winterization, we also perform a variety of residential and commercial AC services and repairs. This time of year is an ideal time to inspect your air conditioner so there are no surprises when you need it most in a few months. Contact us today for personalized service and more information about what we do to help winterize your AC.
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