If you happen to live in a climate that enjoys all four seasons, you should consider yourself lucky. There’s nothing like feeling the heat in the summer, enjoying the flowers that bloom in the spring, and watching the colorful leaves that drop in the fall. You’ll also be having fun in the snow during the winter, especially if you ski.

But winter also means that you won’t be needing your central AC unit all year round. Since snow and ice build-up can present serious problems for a free-standing unit that’s not properly protected, you need to educate yourself on how to maintain your investment even during the cold months when you need it least.

One answer is to enter into a maintenance contract with a certified ac repair professional. Says a representative if Natal Air Conditioning USA, it’s of paramount importance to recognize the warning signs that are coming from your AC unit and to know when repairs need to be undertaken. In fact, it’s essential that you be proactive when it comes to tackling central AC unit issues so that the problems don’t get worse.

Even if you live as far south as Florida, you can expect to require some kind of winter protection for your central AC unit. With that in mind, what are some important tips on winterizing your unit? According to a recent report by eLocal, when you take your first cold breath of the year, your central AC unit might be the last thing you’re considering. But the experts say it should not be. When it starts getting cool, it’s the season telling you the time has come to prepare your AC unit for cold days ahead.

If your home or business is equipped with central air, the condenser unit that feeds it sits outside where it is exposed to the natural elements including debris. This is why it’s of great importance to winterize your AC prior to the first frost or snow.

Necessary Items

Prior to getting started, it helps to gather all the necessary items you’ll need for the winterizing project. That is, you’ve decided to go about the process on your own. These items include the following:

–AC unit cover (a new one if necessary)

–Air filter replacement

–Common garden hose

–Heavy-duty cleaning brush

–Flat-head screwdriver

–Powerful flashlight

–Some bungee cord or cords

–Several common bricks

–A thermostat or a thermostat app on your smartphone

Adjust the Stat

Just prior to the cold season arriving, make sure your thermostat is off cooling mode. If your home comes equipped with a traditional thermostat, you just need to flip a switch. But if you have invested in a smart thermostat, you will need to utilize your mobile app.

Change the Air Filter

If you discover that your AC unit’s air filter is clogged with dirt, you need to swap it out for a new one. If you do this prior to the winter season, you won’t need to remember the task come next summer.

Shut Down the Power

Prior to continuing the process of winterization, make sure to turn off the power. Many AC units have a power shutoff box located very near the unit. If you don’t see this box, then simply kill the home or office’s main circuit breaker.

Remove all Debris

Grass, leaves, twigs, bird feathers, and other varieties of debris will naturally accumulate on AC components. Cleaning requires you to manually remove the larger pieces of debris such as the leaves and twigs. Using your garden hose, wash away the rest of the detritus.

It might be necessary to utilize a screwdriver or a brush to dislodge the stubborn dirt that’s caked onto the grill. Be sure to conduct your washing of the unit on a sunny, warm day when the temperature is well above the freezing mark so that ice doesn’t form. Allow the unit to dry completely before turning the power back on.

Search for Damage

Now that your AC unit is clean, it will be easier to search for any damaged or broken places. Also look for signs of normal wear and tear like rust or cracks in the superstructure. Use your powerful flashlight to check dark corners, and to check on the conditions of the pipes leading into your home.

Cover Up

When your unit is cleaned and inspected it’s time to cover it up for the winter season. Once this is accomplished, your work is done until it gets hot again. Keep in mind, while you can save some immediate cash by winterizing your central AC unit on your own, it’s always a best practice to allow a professional to handle the job. They are trained to look for problems you might never notice, thus saving you unnecessary hassle and money in the long run.