In the cold of winter, your air conditioner is probably the last thing on your mind. But come summertime, you’ll want to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Taking care of your AC unit when it’s cold out can help ensure that you’ll be able to use it when it gets hot—here are a few tips that can help you keep your AC in good condition throughout the winter. First of all, make sure that you keep the area surrounding the unit clear of twigs, weeds, clutter, branches, or debris. This prevents the AC unit from getting clogged or scratched. More importantly, it means that creatures such as mice and birds will be less tempted to nest in and around your air conditioner. A surprising amount of seasonal damage comes from animals looking for a place to spend the winter. You’ll probably also want to clear off the unit after a snowstorm. Brushing away snow and ice can help prevent most of it from getting inside your AC. Although most units are capable of handling some moisture, you can run into trouble if too much water gets inside and then refreezes.

Thawing and freezing ice can end up damaging your coils. Is it necessary to cover your AC unit? Actually, wrapping it in a tarp of special cover can sometimes do more harm than good, since this can trap moisture inside and provide an attractive home for pests. Plus, your AC is built to withstand winter weather. Air conditioner manufacturers know that the units will be located outside and design them accordingly. You might want to cover it temporarily if you know that a hailstorm or blizzard will be coming, but for the most part your AC can handle November frost and January snow. Keeping your air conditioner safe through the winter is easy with a little preparation. Contact HRC Climate Services today to learn more about how to protect your home’s HVAC systems.The window air conditioner is used by many homeowners to keep cool during the summer. The window air conditioner is just one of a number of AC unites that are used by people, the other common type being the central air conditioner.

During the winter, when window air conditioners are not being used, the winter weather can affect both the units and the home. Winterizing air conditioners is one way to increase their durability and extend their life. Protecting your window air conditioners against damage during the long winter months is an important part of preparing your home for the winter. The window air conditioner will need to be removed from the window for this process; take off the seals from the window units, and remove any fixing devices used to keep the air conditioner in place. Ensure that the window air conditioner is clean of leaves, dirt, and debris. It may be an idea to use your garden hose to rinse off the unit, or you may wish to place the unit in a sink filled with soap and water, and apply a scrubbing brush to the unit, particularly on the outside. Regular cleaning of the window air conditioner discourages mold growth, so an occasional bath is good for the unit. Ensure that the unit is completely free of leaf litter, insects, and other debris, as these can become stuck in the workings of the window air conditioner, preventing it from working properly when it is used again in the summer.

Check that there are no obvious signs of foreign objects on the motor.central air conditioner parts store Allow the unit to dry thoroughly. air handling unit service lifeEnsure that all moisture is gone from the unit before the next stages in winterizing are performed. used air conditioner unit for saleThis prevents the motor in the air conditioner from rusting. Drain water from the window air conditioner, particularly if it is evaporative, and ensure that the weep hole is not blocked. Any water left in the cooler will freeze, and can easily damage parts of the air conditioner. Place the air conditioner on the ground, and wrap them in newspaper or other wrapping material before placing in a warm, dry area off of the ground.

Storing them in a high place will also help to prevent condensation and rusting in the unit. Should you have permanently fixed the window air conditioner to the window, clean with the garden hose, and do a spot-check to ensure that there is no debris in the unit. Leave to dry, and when you return, cover the window air conditioner with burlap or tarp. Alternatively, you can purchase an air conditioner cover. This cover helps to keep the window air conditioner dry and insulated during months of heavy rain and snow. Ensure that your window air conditioner is properly secured by tying with bungee rope to prevent shifting during snow drifts and heavy winds. Keep a close eye on your cover during the winter months: check that it is not ripped or damaged. RV & Auto Safety The snow has arrived in many parts of the country and before you know it Christmas will be here and then another New Year. What does this mean to RVers? Well, besides shoveling sidewalks and last minute Christmas shopping it means parking the RV until next spring.

Most of us have already winterized our RVers so we won’t have any problems with it next spring, but did you really prepare your RV for several months of storage? Many of us don't think about it, but the storing portion is just as important as winterizing the water system. Actually winterizing your RV encompasses much more than protecting the water system from freezing temperatures. It’s just that we’re under the impression that winterizing means to put that pink non-toxic antifreeze through our water system and everything will be okay. When I produced our winterizing video I included an entire section on properly storing the RV. It’s important that we consider things like batteries, ventilation, the condition of sealants, mice, and fuel system protection just to mention a few. So, let’s look at some things we should do in addition to winterizing our RV water system. The storage procedures are divided into two sections, the coach storage and the chassis storage. Follow the steps below that apply to your RV:

Store your unit under a covered area if possible. If not, avoid parking under trees or in areas where grass and weeds will grow. If you choose to buy a cover for the RV, be sure it is made of a breathable material. This will help in preventing mold and mildew. Chock the wheels front and rear. Leave the parking brake off. If you’re storing a Pop Up angle the tongue downward to assist in snow and water run off. Inflate the tires to the manufacturer’s recommended max cold pressure. Cover the tires to protect them from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Place something between the tires and the ground. Make sure whatever you use is larger than the actual foot print of the tire. If you do not remove the tires for long-term storage periodically move the vehicle to prevent flat spots on the tires. Close all of the window blinds to avoid sun exposure to the carpet, drapes and upholstery. Wash the exterior of the unit and clean the interior thoroughly. Make sure the awning fabric is clean and dry before storing.

On a Pop Up make absolutely sure the fabric is clean and dry before storing. This is a good time to check for tears, and repair the fabric. Inspect all roof seams, body seams and window sealant for cracks and openings. Water can get in the smallest openings so really inspect all sealants. Consult your dealer for sealants compatible with these materials. Service all locks with a graphite spray lubricant. Lubricate all hinges and moving parts with WD 40. Turn all LP gas appliances off. Turn the main LP gas supply valve off. If you're storing a Pop Up or Travel Trailer make sure the LP gas regulator is covered. Remove the fuse for the LP gas leak detector while the unit is in storage. This will prevent the batteries from discharging. Don’t forget to replace it next spring. Insects are attracted to the odorant that is added to LP gas. To prevent mud daubers and wasps from building nests in and around your gas appliances, cover the refrigerator vent, the furnace vent and the water heater vent.

Inspect the underside of the unit thoroughly. Look for anywhere that mice or other rodents can get it, and seal as necessary. Strategically place mouse and ant traps in and around the unit. Avoid using mouse poison inside the RV. Many RVers recommend using dryer sheets like Bounce to keep mice out. Remove all perishables and anything that can freeze. Leave doors, drawers and cabinets open. Remove all consumables that would attract mice and other rodents. Defrost the freezer compartment and clean the refrigerator. Leave the refrigerator doors open and place some baking soda inside to absorb odors. Clean the air conditioner filters, and cover the air conditioner. Turn off the main breaker and unplug all appliances. Remove dry cell batteries in clocks, flashlights and other items. The use of Maxx Air products will provide the airflow and ventilation required during storage while keeping the elements out. To start with if you put your RV in storage it’s a good idea to remove the batteries and put them in storage too.

This is quite simple to do. When you’re removing the batteries always remember to remove the negative terminal first. Clean the batteries with a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and water if necessary. Store the batteries in a cool dry place but not where they could freeze. Batteries in storage will loose their charge. Check the state of charge every month and charge batteries that are at or below 80% state of charge. Check and fill the water levels in all batteries that are not maintenance free. Check the electrolyte level and add distilled water if necessary. Charge all batteries as required. A discharged or partially charged battery will freeze much faster than a charged battery. Remove and clean all battery terminals and posts. Spray the terminals with terminal dressing to protect against corrosion. If you plan to start the unit while in storage, and to periodically plug the unit into shore power leave the batteries in the unit. Plugging it into shore power once a month for about eight hours will keep the coach batteries topped off.

If you put the unit in long-term storage; remove and store the batteries where they will not freeze. In either case keep the batteries charged. During short-term storage, start the unit monthly and run it with the dash air on for at least 30 minutes. If you don’t plan on starting the unit, or won't be able to start it, buy some fogging oil from a marine supply store to protect the cylinder walls. When the unit is parked where it will be stored, spray the fogging oil into the engine intake downstream from the air filter with the engine at an idle. Complete the same steps on the generator. Follow the manufacturer’s directions. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IN A DIESEL ENGINE. Fill the fuel tank prior to storage and add a fuel stabilizer. Run the engine and the generator long enough for the stabilizer to get through the system. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.   If the unit is not in long-term storage exercise the generator at least 2 hours each month. Run the generator at 3/4 rated load.