“Baby, it’s cold outside.” Well, yes, it is – and these dark winter months mean that the car’s plenty cold enough for most people without the use of the air conditioning. But using air conditioning in the winter isn’t just about keeping cool. Many experts recommend it, in fact, among them our very own agony uncle Honest John. So what benefits does it have? Yes, you absolutely should. Even if you don’t want your car to be any cooler than it is, you should run your air conditioning system at least every couple of weeks for a short spell on full-cold (10 minutes should be fine), which will allow the coolant to circulate through the system. This is because the coolant actually contains a lubricant that helps to keep all the rubber seals and pipework in good condition. Failing to use your air conditioning for a long period means the coolant won’t move around, and the lubricant won’t act on the rubber parts. That can lead to leaky seals, which can cause your coolant to ebb away, resulting in more frequent re-gasses or, in particularly bad instances, systems which won’t hold gas at all and need to have their seals changed.

Without frequent use, moisture can build up within the air vent ducts that the system uses to pipe cold air to the air vents. This moisture can cause mould and bacteria to form, which are then blown into the car when you start the system again after weeks or months of inactivity. Air conditioning is also an important tool to help you maintain your visibility through the winter months. It doesn’t just cool the air in your car – it dries it too.cost of new outdoor ac unit That means using the air conditioning removes moisture in the air, which is particularly useful in the winter. outdoor ac unit turns on and offIt helps to keep your windscreen and windows clear – so if you’re steaming up, turning the air conditioning on will help enormously, and it can help clear mist from the glass sooner, enabling you to set off with clear screens earlier than you otherwise would.how much are heating and air conditioning units

Not if you leave it on and turn the heater to warm. Doing this means the air conditioning system still runs, so you can keep it lubricated and benefit from the drying effect it gives, but you get warm air into the car. If you’ve had your air conditioning turned off for a while, the moisture that’s collected in the ducts will be blown out into the car at first, which is why you always get a misting effect if you turn on a system that’s been off for a period of time. This is why, if you’re running your air conditioning intermittently, it’s always sensible to do so while the car is stopped. If the mist persists for longer than a minute or so, it could be for one of two reasons. If you’re using your air conditioning in conjunction with the “recirculate” feature – the one that closes off the outside air to prevent fumes from entering the car – your windows will still steam up, because air moist with your breath is being recirculated faster than it can be dried by the system.

Turning the “recirculate” function off again will usually solve the problem. If it doesn’t, you could have a problem with your air conditioning or cooling system, so you should get your garage checked over at a garage. It’s true that your air conditioning system uses more fuel when it’s turned on. But then, if you don’t have it turned on, you might need to crack a window open to help clear the mist from your screen – and the damaging effect this has on your car’s aerodynamics will cause you to use up around the same amount of fuel. And if you want to avoid using your air conditioning altogether for the whole of the winter, remember that not keeping it good condition by running it every couple of weeks could lead to a bigger bill for a re-gas or repair later on, making it a false economy. Remember that that an air conditioning system contains moving parts, so you might find that those parts wear out sooner with constant use than if you turn the system on and off as and when it’s needed.

But if you’re prepared to live with that, and the extra cost of the fuel, there’s no reason you can’t simply leave the switch in the “on” position.Knowing how to insulate a window AC unit for the winter is one of best things one can do to keep heating costs under control once the thermometer starts to dip. With this type of air conditioning unit, there are two options when it comes to weatherizing the home: cover and insulate around the unit or remove the unit entirely and seal the window for the winter. If you're unable to remove the window AC unit entirely from the window, you will need to insulate the unit to help keep the warm air from escaping the home. Weatherizing the window AC unit will also help extend the life of the appliance by protecting it from the damaging effects of the elements. Cut lengths of firm foam insulation sized according the height and width of the window unit. Use a putty knife to push the strips of insulation down into the tiny gap between the unit body and the window frame.

Spray foam insulation can also be used; use it sparingly as the foam insulation expands tremendously. Remove the outside cover from the window AC unit so that the inside components are exposed. Place a thick plastic garbage bag over the unit so it covers it completely and tuck the excess parts of the bag inside so it is fully sealed. Use duct tape to hold the bag in place if necessary. Once this is finished, reinstall the outside cover. Most hardware stores sell heavy fabric covers made specifically to fit window AC units. These covers slide right over the outside portion of the unit and help protect it from seasonal elements like heavy snow, rain, ice or hail. Pick one up and cover your air conditioning unit to keep it safe and insulated all winter long. These covers are also good to have in the event of a very strong thunderstorm regardless of the time of year, just be mindful not to run the unit with the cover in place. While taking the time to learn how to insulate a window air conditioning unit for the winter is a great way to help control your winter heating bills, nothing works as effectively as removing the unit outright.

This allows you to close the window and seal it properly against winter's icy-cold touch. The problem is that the job usually requires an additional pair of hands and handling a heavy air conditioner on a ladder can prove to be difficult and dangerous. Proper storage techniques are also important when removing and storing a window AC unit. If you want to ensure that your window AC unit is in operational shape come next summer, make sure you store it properly over the winter, not simply setting it down in an unused corner of the basement. The unit should be wrapped in a breathable fabric or covering and set someplace where it will not come in contact with the floor. The cooler fins and condenser lines are soft and can easily become bent if care isn't taken when storing the unit. Place the covered unit in a spot where nobody will accidentally pile anything on top of it.By learning how to insulate a window AC unit for the winter properly, you'll not only save on your heating and cooling bills;