Prepare Your AC For Hibernation

Many of the appliances in your home work for you year-round. Dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators operate 365 days a year. Your air conditioner is a little unique, because it only works for a few months of the year, then sits dormant for several months while no cooling is needed. In this article, we’ll talk about how to best prepare your AC for the winter months so that when it’s time for cooling again, your system is ready to go. 

How to Prep Your Air Conditioner for Winter

Here in Los Angeles, the winter months are pretty mild. So, some of the advice you may find on the web are simply not applicable to Southern California. We don’t have to worry about protecting air conditioners from snow or sub-zero temperatures. For this reason, we don’t recommend that you cover your HVAC unit with a tarp or covering. It’s simply unnecessary, and will cause problems if you turn on your AC without remembering to remove the cover!

The best thing you can do for your air conditioner before the winter months is to give it a good cleaning. Cleaning your outdoor unit is a good preventive maintenance measure. Before starting, disconnect power to the AC unit. You can usually do this via your circuit breaker box. Then, use a broom to sweep off any twigs, leaves, debris, or anything else that may have collected on or around the AC. Use a hose to wash off dirt or dust which has accumulated.

Also, don’t forget about what’s inside! Make sure to change your filters at least quarterly, even during winter months. Replace filters more often if you have family members which are elderly or with allergies, or if you have pets. Another reason to replace filters frequently is due to wildfires or other air quality problems. A clean filter is not just good for healthy air, it also helps your AC move airflow more freely throughout the system. This improves energy efficiency and performance year-round.

Schedule Maintenance in the Spring for your AC

Homeowners should have a reputable HVAC contractor perform seasonal maintenance on all heating and cooling units in your home. We recommend maintenance just before you expect your system to turn back on for regular operation.That means you should schedule heater maintenance in the fall, and air conditioner maintenance in the spring. 

A licensed professional will inspect your complete home comfort system, preparing it for the months ahead. During AC maintenance, our technicians complete a 26-point air conditioner checklist. Tuneups keep your AC running smoothly. And don’t forget, regular maintenance is required to maintain your equipment warranty. 

In our 75+ years of experience serving the Los Angeles market, we’ve found that many homeowners don’t have time to remember to schedule maintenance. That’s why we started the Brody Comfort Club – a convenient, time-saving preventative maintenance program. Members get automatic scheduling of tune ups, priority service, and professional service from our award-winning team. It’s the easiest way to make certain all your HVAC needs are covered.

Here For You. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

We’ve been serving this area since 1945. There is no other HVAC contractor in Los Angeles that can say that! We’ve stayed open for 75+ years for a reason: “old school” customer service, fully-trained technicians, and 100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you have any questions at all about your HVAC system, don’t call anyone else but Brody Pennell!