Final Fall AC Maintenance to Shut Down Your System Right

Now that the weather has begun to shift, the long days of summer will come to an end for the year. The leaves have already begun to change colors and before you know it, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the end of year holidays will be here. 

With the weather getting colder, you may have already begun to turn down your air conditioning for the year. But don’t just flip the switch and expect it to be off now and ready for next year. When you are ready to shut off your AC, open your windows, and enjoy the crisp fall air, follow our guide below to perform your final AC maintenance the right way. 

Step 1: Turn Off Your Air Conditioning

To turn off your unit, switch the thermostat setting to “Off” (we can get to the heat later). Then head outside and find the circuit box near your outdoor AC condenser. Switch this box off as well. 

Step 2: Change Your Filter

Give your cooling system its due - it worked hard during the sweaty months to keep you cool. But now it needs to recover. Your heating and cooling systems both use the same filter. Because the filter gets used for both warming things up and cooling them off, now is an important time to change it. You should be replacing your filter every month if you can, and at least every season. The more sensitive you are to dust, the more often you should change it. 

Step 3: Circulate Fresh Air Throughout Your System

Now is a great time to ease off on your system before the temperature drops off. Save on your utility bills by leaving your system off while you can. Try to keep windows open to air out the house with fresh breezes. 

Step 4: Clean Your AC Unit

Take a broom and get rid of all the debris on top of your AC unit. Rinse the unit down to get rid of grime or dirt that collected here. Try to do this cleaning earlier in the day so it can get plenty of time in the sun to dry. Go on a pruning spree and trim any branches or bushes near your AC unit.

Step 5: Cover Your AC Unit

Make sure to get a special cover made specifically for wrapping up an AC unit. If you get any old cover, you run the risk of trapping moisture. This trapped moisture can end up leading to mold or rusting your unit. Look for a waterproof vinyl or plastic tarp to do the job. 

The team at Heaney Plumbing & Heating has been helping businesses and homeowners get the most out of their heating and cooling systems since 1969. We can help you go through and do the final fall maintenance check-ups to properly close down your unit.

Give us a call today at (586) 649-6300 to schedule your maintenance.