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Winter Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips From Your Air Conditioning Service | Plano, TX

Winter Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips From Your Air Conditioning Service | Plano, TX

Photo By JJ Gouin at istock

During the hot season, your air conditioning system is the darling of your home; you can’t do without it when those Texas temperatures soar. But in the winter, do you ever give your AC system much thought? Actually, you should. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas specializes in air conditioning service for Plano, TX, customers. We routinely advise our customers to consider winter AC maintenance to ensure that when they turn their units back on during the hot season, they function optimally. Here are a few things you should do to maintain your AC unit over the winter to make sure it’s ready to get back to work when summer arrives.

Remove the AC Cover

Many Plano, TX residents routinely place a cover over their air conditioning units after the summertime in order to protect them during the winter. While it may seem like a good idea to protect your unit from weather and debris when it’s not in use, covering it is actually not a good plan. When you place a cover over your outdoor AC unit, you can actually cause moisture to build up beneath the cover and cause your system to rust. You definitely don’t want to promote internal rust problems for your unit. That can lead to the need for repairs and frequent calls to your Plano air conditioning service.

Modern air conditioning systems are designed for life outdoors. In fact, they’re typically designed to hold up to temperatures that much colder than what we experience in Plano. Moreover, they don’t have to contend with heavy snowfalls either. Your AC unit features a finish that can withstand sun, rain, snow, and freezing temperatures. Therefore, you can safely refrain from covering your AC unit during the cold season.

Inspect Your Unit Periodically

During the winter, you should inspect your AC unit from time to time to remove any debris that may be building up. Yes, a cover could protect your unit from branches and leaves, but the risk for rust, as we mentioned, isn’t worth taking. Instead, just sweep off any build-up of leaves or pine needles and inspect the unit to make sure that no critters have built a nest in or under it. A heavy buildup of debris can impact the proper functioning of your AC system. However, a simple inspection and periodic sweep from you or your air conditioning service will help you keep your AC system safe over the cold season.

Clean the AC Unit

If your unit is especially dirty, hose it down after removing debris buildup on a mild day. Keeping your unit free of dirt, grime, and bird droppings is all part of good routine maintenance and something you should do in every season. An air conditioning service can help you know exactly what to do.

Schedule Early Spring AC Maintenance

The spring season is prime time for scheduling air conditioning service and inspections. During the winter, make a point to get your appointment on the calendar. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas can schedule your AC unit’s air conditioning service. With annual maintenance, you can keep your AC unit in tip-top condition.

During our spring inspection and tuneup, our skilled AC service techs will carefully assess each aspect of your AC system to make sure everything is functioning optimally. We’ll keep a lookout for signs of wearing parts that could lead to expensive breakdowns if ignored. Replacing a part before it can fail can prevent damage to your system. Then, we’ll tune-up your AC system and ensure that it’s ready to cool your home all summer long.

Turning Your AC System Back On

The first time you use your AC system in the late spring or summer, you’ll want to pay close attention to its operation, especially if you turn it on without a spring tuneup and inspection. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you turn your AC system on after winter:

Check for Heat

When you turn on the AC system, check your outdoor unit. The heat coming from it should feel warmer than the outdoor temperature. This is a signal that the unit is removing heat from the house. That’s a good sign that your unit is working as it should.

Trim Foliage Away from Unit

When you’re ready to turn your AC system on for the warm season, trim grass and foliage around the unit. Foliage should be at least 12 inches away from your unit to ensure that it doesn’t impede it in any way such as blocking its airflow. Be sure that the condenser coil is clean and hose off the unit to ensure all debris is removed before turning it back on to cool your home.

Pay Attention to Spot Signs of Disrepair

When you first turn on your AC unit after the long winter, be sure to pay close attention to its operation. For instance, is your outdoor unit wobbling? This could indicate that blades are out of balance or that your motor shaft needs air conditioning service. Also, are you hearing excess noise? Some noise is acceptable, but if the noise is louder than is typical for your unit, contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas to check out your AC system. We’ll troubleshoot the noise problem and provide the ideal solution.

If you need air conditioning service for your Plano, TX home’s AC unit, you can rely on the highly trained and certified HVAC technicians of One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We have a reputation for our outstanding workmanship and friendly customer service. In most cases, we’ll be able to provide you with upfront repair costs after inspecting your unit. By letting us maintain your AC system, we can often reduce the risk for breakdowns and enhance the longevity of your AC system. Contact us to learn more about our HVAC solutions.