If you’re like me (and thousands of other homeowners), you have a set list of chores you do around the house depending on the season. Now that fall is in full swing, I’ve started working on prepping my house for the winter before I’m buried neck-deep in snow and seasonal affective disorder. One of the first things I make sure I do is winterize my central air conditioner. I’m not joking when I tell you how horrible it is to start your air conditioner on that first hot day of spring, and nothing but hot air blows out. Anything over 72 degrees makes me start to twitch, and once we’re up in the 80s, it’s game over. So you can imagine how important it is for me to make sure my air conditioner is well taken care of. Conventional wisdom tells us it’s important to cover and wrap your outdoor unit like it’s a Christmas present for a nosy relative. I remember my dad taking a tarp to his, and wrapping it tight with bungee cords like it was his job. And if you do an online search about how to winterize your air conditioner, most sites will tell you to do the same.

In order to make sure I can have my precious, precious air conditioning in the summer, I’ve researched the heck out of this idea. And I’ll have you know, just because this method is popular, that doesn’t mean it’s right. According to my research and to the HVAC professionals I’ve spoken with, here’s the right way to winterize your air conditioner.how long do ac units last in arizona Step 1 – Clean out the area surrounding your unit. blue box ac unitsMake sure there aren’t any leaves, sticks, branches, bushes, clutter or debris in the two-to-three foot radius around your air conditioner. ac unit motor priceThis will help prevent clogging, rust and damage to your unit. Plus, it discourages any animals from taking up a cozy residence in your system.