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Cleaning Your Exterior AC to Prep it for Winter

websitebuilder • May 26, 2022

We are still feeling the heat of summer. July was mild this year, but August tends to bring the heat. Escaping the heat by getting into a nice, cool, air-conditioned home makes everything seem a bit more manageable.

Even before it starts to cool off outside, it is good to have a plan for shutting down your air conditioner. Prepping or winterizing your AC unit and system can help your home transition to fall then winter and then get into next season more easily. Keeping your AC unit protected from the elements means fewer repairs and saving you money.

Keep reading for our tips on how to clean and protect your outdoor AC unit before winter.

1. Shut Down the Power to Your AC Unit

Your first step is to shut down the power to your unit. You should find a small box on the side of your home, possibly near your AC unit. Most units will be as easy as flipping the switch to off. Making sure the power is off will keep you safe from electrical concerns while cleaning your unit. This shutdown will also keep your unit from turning on accidentally on the randomly warm days and costing you money.

2. Clean Your AC Exterior Unit

Start with the big stuff. Sweep off leaves, small branches, or anything else on or around your air conditioner. Hose off any bird poop, dirt, or stains. Make sure any and everything is out of your unit to avoid future clogs.

3. Check out Your AC Unit

Give your unit a thorough inspection. Be on the lookout for cracks, rust, or broken lines. Any leaks are a bad sign, as are cracks in any seals. Look for the big stuff, but also consider having a heating and cooling expert like the technicians at Heaney Plumbing & Heating take a look stop by for an end of the season inspection.

4. Support Your AC Unit with Extra Insulation

Pipes don’t do well in the winter. Add foam pipe covers to any exposed piping or wiring on your outdoor AC unit. Duct tape is your friend in holding together the foam. Taking this step will help you stop your pipes from cracking, requiring a new AC unit.

5. Cover Your AC Unit

Cleaning is good, but don’t forget to cover your unit. This cover will protect your unit from any damage from the elements during the winter. Choose a vinyl or plastic cover that is waterproof so your unit will have greater safety from cracks and other damage.

Trust the Heating and Cooling Experts to Protect Your AC Unit

Follow the steps above to help keep your AC unit from being damaged in the offseason. By running through these maintenance steps, you can start your AC unit next year with peace of mind knowing everything is in order. When you are ready for further protection, consider Heaney Plumbing & Heating to inspect and maintain your AC system. Our techs have the experience and training to keep your home comfortable year-round!

Outdoor Home Maintenance Checklist for the Fall

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
The return to school has begun and the days of summer are starting to become shorter. Fall is in the air and that means it's time for some chores around the house. Fall maintenance can help you reset after the summer and get your property prepped for the cold season to come. Some homeowners get overwhelmed with this maintenance and don’t know where to start. Keep reading for our checklist guide on fall home maintenance tips to get your home ready to end the season.

5 Steps to Optimize your Furnace for Energy Efficiency

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
Raise your hand if you like to throw money away. Crickets...Yeah, that’s what we thought. Running an efficient household helps keep money in your pocket by stopping you from spending what you don’t need to spend. Energy-efficient practices keep your heating and cooling costs down while reducing your impact on the environment. It is great to save money and help the environment, but who has the time for completely changing their lifestyle to go off the electrical grid or make other enormous changes? Instead, steps that point you in the right direction without remodeling your home can make a big impact on your bank account. Keep reading to learn Heaney’s five steps to make your furnace run with more energy-efficiency.

What is Radiant Heating and the Top Reasons to Choose this Heating System

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
Imagine a warm sunny day. Sitting beside the pool, you feel the warm rays of the sun shining down on you, heating your skin. You take off your slippers and take a dip in the pool. After, you go for a walk on the asphalt pavement and can feel the heat not shining down but lifting off the ground. What you feel is known as radiant heat. There are many ways to heat your home. Radiant heat is one method that starts from under your feet and rises with the air. Keep reading to learn more about how a radiant heating system works and why this system may be best for your home.

Benefits of Installing a Programmable Thermostat

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
Do you want things in your life to be easier? We thought so. Finding the tips and tricks around your house to make things more efficient can save you time, money, and the headache of forgetting things. You should also be comfortable in your home. Efficiency and better comfort both come from a programmable thermostat. These handy devices can end up making your life easier. This article is all about the benefits of a programmable thermostat in your home.

4 Steps to Maintain Your Hot Tub During the Winter

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
With the last few snowfalls, winter is in full swing in Michigan for the season. Not only has the winter weather come, but we still have many months to go. Finding ways to keep warm seems to be a constant struggle during the winter months. If you use a hot tub to enjoy the outdoors while staying warm, first - we envy you, and second - you have some work ahead of you. Keep reading to learn more about our winter hot tub maintenance tips to keep your warm water flowing no matter if it is snowing.

Importance of Cleaning Your Sewer Line Before Spring

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
Although it may be cold outside at the moment, it won’t be long until the spring is upon us. When seasons change, we also need to adapt our approach to cleaning and maintenance. One thing that you need to do ahead of the spring is to carry out a sewer drain line inspection to ensure that everything is in good working order. With that being said, read on to discover clean sewers are so important.

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Whole-House Humidifier with Your New Furnace

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
Winter has a tendency to turn your home into a desert. The cold season outside demands you to turn the heat on inside and all that heated air means dryer air. It can be difficult to balance between the heat and the humidity in your home. No one wants the mold or mildew that comes with moist, warm places or the chapped lips, papery skin, and other health impacts of dry air. Consider a whole-house humidifier to solve these problems. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of having a whole-house humidifier in your new furnace installation.

How to Prepare Your AC Unit for the Summer

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
The summer has arrived in full force. If you haven't performed any preventative maintenance on your air conditioner, the time to do so is now. Don't let this machine intimidate you; armed with some knowledge and willpower, you will be able to perform preventative air conditioner maintenance that gets your air conditioner ready for the dog days of summer. This article is all about what basic steps you can take to maintain your AC unit.

5 Warning Signs You May Need To Replace Your Hot Water Heater

By websitebuilder • 26 May, 2022
Water is a vital resource in any home. You use it for countless things ranging from cooking and cleaning to taking showers and using the toilet. Sometimes, you need hot water to do certain activities. These include: Washing dishes Taking baths With time, however, your water heater may not function as well as you want. So how do you know it’s time to make hot water heater repairs? The following are some warning signs that you may need to replace your hot water heater.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air?

By websitebuilder • 25 May, 2022
Getting caught in the heat is like being trapped with no escape. What's worse is when you think you can escape to the cool, air-conditioned indoors of your home only to find it is not cool at all. One of the most dreadful experiences for homeowners is when they discover that their air conditioner is blowing warm air. Homeowners who find their air conditioner malfunctioning quickly become uncomfortable as temperatures rise inside the home and because they know that the repair could be costly. There are several reasons why air conditioners will blow warm air. In this article, we will go through some of the reasons your air conditioner might be blowing hot air.
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