As you get ready to head into fall and for the cold days to come, it is easy to forget about your air conditioner and the things you will need to do to prepare your air conditioner for the fall. Don’t worry it is not too much — just a few simple steps will help your air conditioner stay ready to go through the cold months of fall and winter. After all, when spring and summer roll around, you will want that air conditioner ready to go.
There are a few other reasons to prepare an air conditioner for fall too. For example, it is a good time to check the health of the system, and the process it takes to prepare your air conditioner for fall will give you the opportunity to make sure everything is working. If you do find something wrong, fall also happens to be the best time to have major heating & air conditioning projects taken care of, so you will be in good shape there too.
The Simple Stuff Relating to Preparing Your Air Conditioner for the Fall
In short, taking the time to prepare your air conditioner for fall is all about thinking about the future. What state do you want to find your air conditioner in when you go to use it? That is the state you should try to leave it in when it is time to turn it off for the season.
When it comes time to prepare your air conditioner for fall, you should start by cleaning and clearing the space around your outdoor unit. That means removing debris, yard furniture, and other stuff that might be in the way. Make special care to remove any leaves, lawn or grass clippings, and dirt around the unit that is likely to get caked in under winter snow and be more difficult to deal with come spring. Good airflow is central to a well-functioning air conditioner, so keeping your unit clean of debris goes a long way towards increasing its cost-effectiveness and longevity.
In the same vein, checking and potentially replacing the air filter is a good idea. Not only will this save you a step in the spring, most furnaces use the same air filters as the air conditioner, so when you prepare your air conditioner for fall in this way, you’re also preparing your furnace to function well throughout the winter.
Should I Prepare My Air Conditioner for Fall or Replace it Entirely?
Finally, as you prepare your air conditioner for the fall, it is a good time to ask whether the unit needs to be repaired in any way or even replaced. The last step on you fall preparation checklist should be to call in you local HVAC maintenance expert and have them do an assessment on your system. From there, you can get any needed preventative maintenance done and get started planning a replacement if that’s deemed necessary.
Not only does this put you well ahead of any potential problems come spring, but the fall is a great time for big HVAC projects such as air conditioner replacement. Most HVAC professionals are less busy during this time, so it is easier to schedule work and you are likely to get better deals than if you try to have major repairs or replacements done in the spring.
Learn More About Preparing Your Air Conditioner for the Fall
If you have more questions about air conditioner preparation for the fall or are interested in learning if replacement is right for you, give Galmiche & Sons a call today. In the greater St. Louis area, we are eager to help with any heating & air conditioning issues you may have!
