Fall is a glorious time of year in Michigan. The crisp breezes and colorful leaves can make it so you want to spend all the time outdoors that you can. But don’t forget—once autumn arrives, it’s only a matter of time before winter will follow. And you need to be prepared.
One of the most important things to pay attention to during the seasonal transition is your HVAC system. You need to make sure your air conditioner ends the season properly and your heating system is ready for the cold weather to hit. How can you make a smooth switch from cooling to heating for your HVAC system this fall? We’ve got a quick and easy checklist for you.
1: Shut Down Your Air Conditioner
At some point, your thermostat will simply stop calling for cooling, and your air conditioner won’t run anymore. You can set your thermostat to “heat” rather than “cool” quite easily. But is that all you need to do? No, because your air conditioner will still be on.
To protect your air conditioner, and to eliminate the risk of it causing electrical issues, you need to shut it off completely. The switch for this is outside, near the outdoor AC unit, in a box. Simply switch it to the off position.
2: Clean Your Outdoor Unit
Another way to protect your AC so it will be in good shape next spring is to clean it and the area around it. Rake away any leaves and debris. Gently wash the outdoor unit down with a hose. Make sure you don’t spray the coils or fins forcefully. Then make sure it’s completely dry before you move on to step three.
3: Cover Your Outdoor Unit
If you don’t have a cover for your air conditioner’s outdoor unit, you have two options. You can purchase one—they’re easy to find this time of year at home supply stores. Or you can use a tarp or heavy plastic sheeting, wrap the unit, and secure it in place with bungee cords.
4: Schedule Heating Maintenance
Before you need your heating system to work, you should make sure it’s ready for another cold Michigan winter. This means getting maintenance done by a qualified technician. This has many benefits. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing your heat will come on and run well when you need it, but there’s so much more.
Maintenance prevents up to 85% of repair needs, so you’ll be much, much less likely to need your heating system fixed this winter. Maintenance improves efficiency, so your heat won’t have to spend as much time running, and your utility bills won’t go up. And maintenance helps your heating system last for as many years as possible. A heating system that never gets maintained will only survive half as long.
We would love to hear from you if you’re ready to schedule that maintenance appointment or if you have any other questions about heating and cooling in Lansing, MI.
Contact A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling for HVAC services in Lansing, MI. Comfort and Character You Can Depend On.