Even though the temperatures in the Lake Charles, Louisiana, area don’t drop too low during the winter months (relatively speaking), residents will still see lows in the 40s during November through February. These temperatures can put a hefty toll on an unmaintained system, but with a little love and attention, you can avoid a lot of heartache and hassle. Follow these steps to prepare your HVAC system through winterization.
Tackle Some Light Cleaning
Start the process of winterizing your unit by cleaning the area around the outdoor AC unit. As the leaves change and fall off the trees, they tend to build up in and around the unit outside, leading to decreased airflow and poor efficiency. Leaves, branches, and other debris can also make your unit look more inviting to animals, especially since it won’t be as running much during the winter. When the area around it is clean, you’re less likely to have a raccoon or other wild critter make its home in or around the unit.
Change the Filters
If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, it’s smart to change your filters at least once a month. In fact, from an energy efficiency standpoint, it’s recommended to change them monthly anyway. But for many homeowners, it’s hard to remember, especially if you’re not experiencing any health problems. When you’re prepping your unit for the winter, be sure to swap out the filters as part of the job.
Schedule a Tuneup
When it’s cold outside, you definitely don’t want to experience a problem with your furnace. Before the temperatures drop, bring in a professional for a tuneup. During this process, your HVAC technician will examine all components of the system to make sure they’re in good working order and able to handle another colder season. If there are any problems, this is the perfect time to repair them so that your furnace will keep you and your family warm throughout the upcoming winter months.
With a few simple tasks, you can easily prepare your HVAC system so that it will continue to work efficiently when you need it most. If you have any questions about the process of winterizing an HVAC unit or you would like to schedule a tuneup in the Lake Charles area, give our technicians a call at Bryans United Air Conditioning at 504-208-2071.
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