Tips for Storing Your Air Conditioner for the Winter

Air conditioners that are mounted in a window during the spring and summer  should be removed and stored in a safe location when the winter comes. Some  people do leave air conditioners in the window during the winter. This tends to  increase heating costs and can shorten the lifespan of the unit if ice damages  the internal components. The unit should be carefully removed from the window during the fall before the cold weather starts. A few basic steps will ensure  that the air conditioner is stored properly for the winter.

Clean The Unit

Air conditioners collect dust throughout the summer. It is important to clean  the outside and inside of the unit when it is removed from the window for the  winter. An air conditioning service that is called for maintenance will often do  a very good job of cleaning the inside and outside of the unit. People who are  cleaning the unit at home should wipe down every exterior surface. The front of  the air conditioner should be removed and all visible dust should be removed  from the inside. Some care should be taken to prevent damage to the compressor  or other parts inside of the unit. The filter should be cleaned as well or  replaced depending on the model. The unit should be reassembled once it is  clean.

Do Not Invert The Air Conditioner

The air conditioner should always be kept with the correct side facing  upwards. The unit should not be placed on the back or side for any length of  time. This is because of the compressor. The movement of oil, pressure on  connections and loose components can all cause damage to the compressor if the  unit is stored in any position that causes unexpected movement of the parts. Air  conditioners can be tilted temporarily when being moved. Long-term storage on  the back or side could actually cause some pieces to settle permanently in a  location that will make the air conditioner less effective or  non-functional.

Use A Cover Or Box

It should not be stored without some type of protection.Their service might  sell specialized covers for winter storage. The protection that is used for the  air conditioner should be able to keep all dust, dirt and debris out of the  unit. This includes stopping breezes and drafts that could carry large particles  inside it. A simple way to protect an air conditioner is to wrap the unit in  thick plastic and then wrap a thick blanket or comforter around that. Some tape  wrapped around the whole unit will help to keep the blanket in place. A better  method is to use a thermal cover or the box that originally held this  equipment.

Store In A Safe Location

The storage location that is chosen for this device should be as sheltered as  possible. This means choosing an area that does not receive a large amount of  foot traffic. There should also be some protection from the elements. A good  location would be a basement that is not overly humid and that receives some  heat throughout the winter. A garage is a good location if the door remains  closed for most of the winter. The location that is chosen should be far from  drafts and should not experience extreme temperature changes. Severe cold could  damage the compressor or coils over time.

Cool Zone Services Inc. – London Ontario’s HVAC/R sales &  service leader. Visit us today at http://www.coolzoneservicesinc.com/ for all  your commercial refrigeration needs.

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