We are all aware that many devices, from cars to lawnmowers kept in garages, may begin to malfunction if they are not used for an extended period.
While this is the case, you might be wondering, what about an air conditioner, right? If you leave your air conditioner off for more than three or four months, does anything negative happen?
According to AC repair services, most of the modern air conditioners are made to last. Many are designed to survive for decades and are intended to run continuously for months at a time.
Due to this, your air conditioner shouldn’t have any issues if it hasn’t been used for a few months as long as it receives the necessary maintenance and is in general excellent working condition.
Actually, this downtime is expected for regular air conditioner operation because only a small number of people need air conditioning throughout the year.
There are three to six months when air conditioning isn’t necessary, even in the hottest places, and many areas have significantly longer winters.
A good rule of thumb is to have your air conditioner sit for a maximum of six months. After this time, issues might start to arise the next time you turn it on.
Things to do before you run an AC that has been sitting for a long time
You should take the following actions before turning on your air conditioner if it hasn’t been used in a few months:
Examine your compressor unit (the large outside unit) by going outdoors: Do weeds grow in it or on top of it? Is there an accumulation of debris nearby? Or is there anything else that might be obstructing it, such as bird or squirrel nests?
Before continuing, clear away the debris. Don’t open your device. Contact a professional air conditioning expert if you need the internal components checked. This is because you can easily damage the parts.
Keep up with the maintenance of your equipment: Professional maintenance for air conditioners is recommended at least once a year and twice a year in harsh climates.
Before you start it up, schedule any maintenance that wasn’t completed throughout the previous season. As a rule of thumb, let an experienced professional handle the maintenance tasks as they will do a better job.
Set your thermostat to fan mode and let it run for at least ten minutes before turning the air conditioning on. By doing this, you can be sure that the system is free of dust and particles before turning it on “cool.” Remember that an accumulation of dust might impede the airflow of your air conditioner, and you don’t want this.
If your air conditioner is indoors, either clean and dry the filters or replace them. Your AC may have issues if you let your filters get dirty, and your compressor or fan may last less time than expected.
Check for refrigerant leaks, as they might negatively affect your air conditioner’s performance. These can occur in several areas, such as the evaporator and compressor coils. You should fix the refrigerant leaks as soon as possible since they have the potential to get worse with time.
How to prepare your AC for storage
When you conclude the cooling season, a few simple chores will help guarantee that your HVAC system is properly prepared for use in the next season.
When it comes time to shut down your air conditioner for the year, think about doing it during a weekend day when you have time to complete the following tasks:
Turn off your air conditioner by finding the power switch, which is usually located next to the condensing unit, after lifting the safety cover and switching the switch from “on” to “off,” shut it.
As you get your air conditioner ready for winter, make sure you turn off the electrical supply to protect yourself from harm. Additionally, you avoid the AC accidentally coming on when you don’t want it to.
Clear the system: Your air conditioner will operate on its own for up to an hour if you turn it on. This helps in system cleanup.
Conduct maintenance checks: This is an excellent opportunity to take care of any neglected AC maintenance. Examine the outside of your air conditioner and take note of any problems, such as rust, leaks, cracks, or other difficulties.
Check for seals and confirm whether they are loose, fractured, or deteriorating. You also should get in touch with HVAC specialists if you notice any problems that need more attention.
As much as you would want to shut the system and fix it in the coming season, it’s not wise to do it as you might forget the problem. There is also the risk of the problem getting worse, and you have to deal with a more complicated issue in the coming season.
Don’t do this. Fix the problem before you store the unit.
Clean your air conditioner: In the summer, dead insects, bird droppings, dust, and debris are all present in your air conditioner. Use a hose to wash the dirt off the unit’s outside on a windless day, then give it time to fully dry.
Use a cover to shield your condenser unit from the weather so that your air conditioner is protected from the outside elements.
Waterproof AC covers are available at most home improvement stores, so you won’t have a problem finding one. Use bungee cords to keep the AC out of the wind, but leave it loose enough to prevent moisture buildup.
Another option is to use a piece of plywood. To keep it from shifting, cut it with a 12-inch overhang on all sides and place a big stone or brick on top.
Parting shot
If you have been wondering how long you can safely leave your unit unused, you can do so for months without any issues. While this is the case, you need to know that you need to ensure that your unit is in perfect shape by the time you are shutting it for the winter season.
As mentioned, the problems get worse with time, so you should always have your air conditioner repair services Stony Brook provider fix any problems before you shut the unit.