Your HVAC system is built to be sturdy, but that doesn’t mean that weather elements can’t cause any damage. As the winter starts to set in, protecting your HVAC system becomes all the more important since ice and snow can creep into the condensing unit, causing serious damage. Wondering how to protect HVAC in winter? This article will tell you everything you need to know about using your HVAC unit safely in winter.
To learn more about protecting your HVAC system in winter and to schedule an appointment for annual HVAC maintenance in St. Louis, contact the experts at Galmiche & Sons today. As leading heating and air conditioning experts, we can help ensure your system is protected and ready for any winter weather.
Why Should You Protect Your HVAC Unit In Winter?
Before we get into some methods of protecting your HVAC unit, it is important to know why your outdoor HVAC unit needs protection in the first place.
- During winter, snow can accumulate around your unit. A thin layer of snow will not be much of a problem. But if the unit gets encased in a thick layer of snow and ice, the coil fins and fan blades can get seriously damaged.
- Besides snow, falling ice can also be a problem for your HVAC unit. If the ice hits your outdoor unit hard enough, it can damage the sensitive coil fins.
- Any water dripping from the gutters and trees can also get into the unit and turn into ice when the temperature drops. This again damages the HVAC fins.
- Besides these weather elements, flying debris, and dried leaves can also get caught in your HVAC system’s fins. This will reduce your system’s efficiency since it will not be able to release heat.
How to Protect Your HVAC in Winter?
To protect your HVAC unit from the weather elements in winter, here are some steps you can take:
- Clean the HVAC unit: Before the onset of winter, it is highly likely that your outdoor HVAC unit was covered in leaves and debris. The longer you let this debris sit on your HVAC unit, the more likely it is to cause a malfunction. Make sure that you remove twigs, leaves, bird droppings, grass clippings, dust, and dirt before the winter comes in. Also, clean your outdoor unit frequently, even after the winter.
- Cut off the power supply: A common mistake made by many people is that they just flip their thermostat switches to heat when the winter comes in. The problem with this is that the system sometimes switches on the AC if it senses any warm temperatures outside. As a result, moisture and snow can be drawn inside the system, which can lead to corrosion. It is better to cut off the power supply to the AC unit from the electrical circuit.
- Adding insulation: Protect your outdoor pipes from freezing in winter by installing tubular or rubber foam insulation. Make sure that you use insulation with tees and elbows so that it can bend with the pipes to provide a snug fit. It is also a good idea to check your insulation from time to time to make sure that it hasn’t come out loose.
- Cover your external unit: HVAC units are built to withstand snow, sleet, and rain, and they can also keep the leaves, nuts, and seeds out. But it is better to keep your unit covered in winter with an old tarp if you want to ensure that it functions efficiently for a longer time.
- Schedule seasonal maintenance: Before the cold winter weather sets in, another important step when considering how to protect your HVAC in winter is to schedule seasonal HVAC maintenance. During this appointment, your HVAC expert will check and clean your entire HVAC system, including the furnace and AC, looking for any problems or concerns. Regular HVAC maintenance will prolong the life of your system and help prevent breakdowns in winter.
Get Your HVAC Unit Inspected with St. Louis’ Galmiche and Sons
With all these steps, you can protect your HVAC unit, even in winter. If you are having problems with your unit or need to schedule professional maintenance or service, Galmiche and Sons is here to help you. St. Louis clients can call today at 314-993-1110 to get their HVAC unit checked.
