Preparing Your Air Conditioner for Winter in Bandon: A Comprehensive Guide

With winter in full swing, now is the perfect time to focus on winterizing your air conditioning system. Proper maintenance is essential to keep your air conditioner in peak condition, even during the colder months. By taking the right steps to prepare your system for winter, you can ensure optimal performance, protect your equipment, and maintain energy efficiency year-round.

Preparing Your Air Conditioner for Winter: A Complete Guide for Bandon Homeowners

Although Bandon doesn’t have exceptionally cold or snowy winters, winter weather can still damage your air conditioning unit. Getting Bandon’s winter AC checkup will help you prevent mold growth, unexpected breakdowns, and rust. By taking a moment to learn how to winterize air conditioner units, you can protect your AC from changes in weather.

Why Winterizing Your AC Is Essential in Bandon

When temperatures start to fall, it can increase the odds of moisture and damp conditions causing rust or mold growth. At the very least, wintertime rain can cause mold growth on your sensitive components. To avoid having expensive, unexpected repairs, you need the high-quality AC winterization in Bandon.

If your AC is exposed to the elements for long, it can develop some of the following issues.

• Mold and mildew growth
• Rust development
• Debris and dust inside the unit
• Rodents and vermin nests
• Leaves and other plant matter inside the unit

Wintry weather can cause damage to your AC. When moisture and debris get into your AC, it causes mold and can attract pests. By using the best Bandon air conditioner maintenance tips, you can prevent long-term damage and protect your AC before frigid temperatures arrive.

Top Steps To Winterize Your Air Conditioner in Bandon

If you’re struggling to figure out how to winterize air conditioner systems, we can help. In addition to offering the best AC maintenance in Bandon, Alpha Heating & Air can winterize your AC unit before cold weather sets in. We can recommend the best covers and show you routine maintenance tasks you can perform throughout the year. 

Step 1: Clean and Clear the Area Around Your AC

Before you can cover and winterize AC units in Bandon, you first need to clean the outside of the unit. Remove any dirt, dust, or insects. If your air conditioner is especially dirty, you can use a water hose in a gentle setting to wash the fins. 

Once you’re done cleaning, the AC must be completely dried out before you cover it. Because of this, cleaning your AC is best done on a warm, dry day. 

As a part of cleaning and preparing your AC, regularly clear any weeds and debris around the unit. Weeds, plant matter, and dirt can clog the air conditioner. To prevent this from happening, you should periodically clear out a 2- to 3-foot space around the unit throughout the year.

Step 2: Protect Your Unit With the Right Cover

Air conditioner covers are a good way to keep falling leaves, sticks, snow, and rain out of your air conditioner. However, you should be careful about the type of cover you use. Because of how humid Bandon is, you need an AC cover that is breathable and designed for wet weather. 

Step 3: Adjust and Test Your Thermostat for Winter

With winter arriving, you no longer need to have your air conditioner on. While some ACs need to be turned off at the circuit panel, many can be switched off through the thermostat. By switching to heating mode, you can prevent your AC from inadvertently turning on during warm winter days. 

When you change your thermostat, take a moment to double-check its accuracy. This can be done by using a reliable thermometer to verify the temperature. If it turns out that there is an issue with the thermostat, one of our team members can discuss the best repair or replacement options for your home.

Step 4: Complete Any Necessary Repairs Before Winter

One of the most important parts of air conditioner winter preparation is to diagnose and fix AC issues. You don’t want to wait until spring because it’s easy to forget about repairs after a few months have gone by. If you aren’t certain whether your AC is in need of professional repairs or not, look out for the following symptoms.

• Your home has hot and cold spots in different rooms or zones. 
• There are unusual sounds coming from your AC. 
• Your energy bill has increased, but you haven’t been using more power.
• The AC cycles on and off frequently. 
• There are strange scents that seem to be coming from your air conditioning unit.

Step 5: Insulate Your AC Pipes Against Freezing

During your seasonal AC maintenance, you should make sure to insulate your refrigerant lines. These copper pipes go from your air conditioning unit to your home. If the weather gets cold enough, they can end up becoming damaged. 

To prevent issues, wrap the copper lines in insulation. Then, you can use zip ties to secure them in place so that they don’t get blown away or knocked off.

Step 6: Replace Air Filters for Improved Efficiency

Depending on your air conditioner, you must change or clean your filter every 30 to 90 days. Otherwise, the filter will become clogged and unable to filter contaminants out of your AC. In the short run, a clogged filter can cause higher energy bills. It may impact your comfort level because the AC will take longer to reach the appropriate temperature. Over the long term, a clogged filter can lead to significant repairs. 

Step 7: Schedule a Winterization Maintenance Inspection 

Seasonal AC maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heating and cooling system. During a maintenance inspection, a team member from Alpha Heating & Air will look at your parts to see if there are worn or faulty components. We will also check to see if anything needs to be cleaned or lubricated. 

During the routine inspection, we will look for problems that may need to be repaired. Afterward, our technicians can recommend the best AC repairs.

Timely maintenance is important because it can prevent the majority of repairs. More importantly, routine maintenance helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Things To Avoid When Winterizing Your AC

Through the best AC winter care tips, you can protect your air conditioner from changes in the weather. However, there are a few major pitfalls you should be wary of.

1. Never Wrap an AC in Plastic 

When you add a cover to your air conditioner, it should be specially designed for your unit. You never want to wrap your AC in plastic or a basic garbage bag. These types of products will trap moisture inside. By the time spring arrives, you’ll have an AC that is full of mold, mildew, and rust.

2. Clean Your AC on a Dry Day

Similarly, it’s a good idea to perform your seasonal AC maintenance when the weather is nice. You want your AC to have a chance to dry before you add the cover. 

3. Attempt Complex Maintenance Tasks on Your Own

When you winterize AC units in Bandon, you should only handle the basic maintenance tasks on your own. For complex tasks, call one of our professional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians. Our HVAC professionals have years of experience with complex repairs and maintenance work. 

To ensure your safety, you should generally avoid anything that is mechanical or electrical. Additionally, refrigerants must legally be handled by someone who has the right certification. Because of this, you should never handle refrigerants on your own. 

Choosing a Maintenance Plan for Bandon’s Cold Season

With the Greenshield Maintenance Plan, you get VIP treatment whenever you need HVAC maintenance or repair help. Even with the best AC winterization in Bandon, you’ll need the right maintenance plan to protect your HVAC system throughout the year. 

Ideally, you should have your HVAC system inspected twice a year. The fall inspection prepares your heater for wintertime. Then, an HVAC technician can return in spring to get your air conditioner ready for the summer. 

While each home is unique, there are a few things you should look for in a maintenance plan. At Alpha Heating & Air, we ensure all of our clients can enjoy the following benefits. 

• 24/7 emergency services
• Certified technicians 
• 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of your maintenance and repairs
• Fall heating precision maintenance 
• Spring AC precision maintenance
• Exclusive promotions
• 10% discount when you need repairs

During our maintenance appointment, we can check out your HVAC system and determine the right maintenance schedule for your needs. For example, older HVAC systems may need more frequent maintenance and repairs. Additionally, we can recommend the best options to winterize AC units in Bandon.

An AC maintenance plan can save you a significant amount of money on your repairs and maintenance. Plus, our team can give you better peace of mind, so you don’t have to stress about your AC winterization.

How Does Bandon’s Winter Impact Your AC’s Maintenance Needs?

During the coldest month of the year, you can expect average lows of 42°F and average highs of 53°F. Meanwhile, the hottest month of the summer reaches average highs of 69°F and lows of 54°F.

Expect Long, Wet Winters

Bandon’s summers might be fairly dry, but the winters tend to be long, wet, and relatively mild. As a result, you need the top techniques for air conditioner winter preparation. If you don’t pick the right cover and dry out your AC, Bandon’s climate can affect the AC performance.

Why You Should Sign Up for an AC Maintenance Plan 

By learning how to winterize air conditioner units, you can protect your AC from wind and rain. One of the best ways to keep your AC functioning its best is through a maintenance plan. By signing up for an HVAC maintenance plan, you can enjoy better convenience, improved energy efficiency, and fewer hassles.

Fewer Hassles and Stress

Life is already challenging enough. The last thing you need is to spend your time worrying about your AC breaking down or becoming rusty. By investing in the best AC maintenance in Bandon, you can take one responsibility off of your plate. We’ll handle the maintenance work, so you can focus on the things you really care about.

Scheduling Convenience

With an AC maintenance plan, you don’t have to remember to make an appointment. We’ll arrange the appointment and send you a follow-up message. As a member of our maintenance plan, you can enjoy having priority access to all of our maintenance and repair services. This means that you’ll automatically go to the front of the line when you need help.

Better Performance

By maintaining your AC, you can ensure it’s operating at its best performance level. Over time, clogged filters, low refrigerant, and other maintenance problems can end up causing damage to your AC. Because of the clogged filters and damage, your AC has to work harder in order to reach the same temperature. When you prevent this damage and maintain your AC correctly, it works better. 

Fewer Repairs

One of the most important things you can do to prevent unexpected breakdowns is to perform routine maintenance. Since repairs can cost hundreds of dollars to perform, your maintenance plan can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. It can also help you avoid the inconvenience of unexpected breakdowns. 

Increased Longevity

As long as it is cared for properly, a central air conditioner can last for up to 20 years. However, the AC will only achieve this longevity if it is taken care of. By getting an AC maintenance plan, you can avoid premature AC replacements. 

Why You Should Hire a Certified Technician for AC Service 

For the top air conditioner winter preparation, you need to work with a certified HVAC technician. Air conditioners are highly complex machines, so you don’t want just anyone to repair them. When you work with a certified technician, you can enjoy the following benefits.

• Craftsmanship: A certified technician can deliver the results you need. They have the training, knowledge, and ability to deliver high-quality work every time.
• State-of-the-Art Equipment and Technology: At Alpha Heating & Air, our technicians are trained on all of the latest technology. We know about new products and industry developments, so we can deliver the high-tech products and services you need.
• Warranties: Your HVAC manufacturer likely requires you to use certified HVAC technicians to maintain your warranty. Besides protecting your current warranty, a certified technician typically offers their own warranties. For instance, we guarantee all of our services and products.
• Efficiency: When a technician is certified and knows what they are doing, they can work fast and efficiently. As a result, you don’t have to wait forever to get your repairs completed.
• Expertise: Certifications exist for a reason. They demonstrate that the individual has achieved a certain level of knowledge. When you work with our certified technicians, you can expect a superior level of expertise.
• Reliability: At Alpha Heating & Air, we strive to provide reliable, punctual services for every client. Our technicians show up on time and are ready to work as soon as your maintenance appointment is scheduled to begin.
• Peace of Mind: By partnering with an experienced HVAC provider, you can discover better peace of mind. You don’t have to worry about the quality of your results, the professionalism of our team, or the timeliness of your repairs. Our certified technicians provide world-class services you can count on.

What To Do When Your Air Conditioner Breaks Down

By learning how to winterize air conditioner units, you can prevent unexpected breakdowns from taking place. However, even the best Bandon winter AC checkup can’t stop every breakdown from happening. If your AC isn’t working correctly, there are a few tips you can use to troubleshoot the problem. 

Check the Breakers

When there is a power surge or fluctuation in the wiring, it triggers a breaker to trip. This fail-safe shuts off the power supply to the wiring that caused the surge. Normally, you can flip the switch to turn the power back on. 

However, you should keep in mind that breakers trip for a reason. If you have this problem frequently or the breaker trips as soon as you turn it on again, there’s an underlying electrical problem that has to be addressed right away. Schedule an HVAC appointment and get help before you try using your AC again.

Replace Your Air Filter 

A clogged filter can cause your evaporator coil to freeze. It can also cause other parts of your AC to become dirty. Because it reduces airflow, the filter will also make your AC work harder to cool your home. 

If you’ve noticed a decline in your AC performance, try cleaning or changing your filter. Then, check the manufacturer’s instructions about filter changes. Normally, filters need to be changed every 30 to 90 days.

Inspect Your Thermostat

Sometimes, a family member will turn off the AC and forget to tell anyone. To troubleshoot this problem, check to see if your thermostat has the right mode setting on. Then, adjust the temperature. 

Schedule an HVAC Appointment

Whether you want to winterize AC units in Bandon or are struggling with an AC repair, our HVAC technicians can help. Many HVAC components, like refrigerant and electrical wires, are potentially hazardous to try to repair on your own. Because of this, you should always schedule a professional appointment for complex repairs.

What Does Our Air Conditioner Maintenance Include? 

When you reach out to Alpha Heating & Air for AC maintenance, we’ll quickly schedule your maintenance appointment. Besides offering the best air conditioner maintenance in Bandon, we’ll lubricate your AC, tighten loose connections, and recharge your refrigerant. If any repairs are needed, we can handle the follow-up appointment as well.

• Air Filter Replacements: First, we’ll make sure your AC filter has been recently cleaned or replaced.
• Thermostat Changes: If your thermostat isn’t sensing the temperature properly, your AC won’t switch on. We’ll inspect your thermostat to make sure it’s functioning the way it is supposed to.
• Part Lubrication: To prevent friction from causing unnecessary wear, our HVAC technician will lubricate moving parts in your HVAC system.
• Electrical Connections: Since electrical connections can become loose over months and years of use, we will check the connections and tighten them as needed.
• Refrigerant Recharging: Our HVAC technicians can look at your refrigerant levels and recharge your refrigerant if it is low.
• Component Inspections: Next, our HVAC technician will check the condenser unit, air handler, and other components to see if they’re in working order.
• Condenser Coils: Often, condenser coils will become dusty and dirty over time. Before you winterize an AC unit in Bandon, it’s important to thoroughly clean and dry your condenser coils.
• Final Tests: Before our technician leaves, we’ll run a final test to see if any other changes are necessary. 

By working with our team, you can access the best AC winter care tips. We take care of the maintenance work, so your loved ones can enjoy a more comfortable, energy-efficient home.

Get Expert Help Winterizing Your AC in Bandon and Surrounding Areas

With winter weather already here, it’s time to begin your air conditioner winter preparation. If you are uncertain about what to do, we can show you how to winterize air conditioner units.

Besides showing you how to winterize air conditioner systems, we can take care of all your seasonal maintenance. With the right inspections and repairs, you can ensure your AC is ready to be switched on as soon as warmer weather arrives next summer. 

Learn more about winterizing your AC by filling out our online form.