Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is responsible for keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Maintaining and safeguarding your exterior unit from the weather will extend its life and give you and your family more pleasant interior temperatures throughout the year.
You can place the internal unit in a utility closet, but the outdoor unit is not as lucky. It’s always exposed to the elements as well as your neighbors. Here are some pointers on keeping your outdoor unit in good working order.
1. Cover Your HVAC Unit
You might wonder if you should cover your outside air conditioner before a downpour, and the answer is yes, as long as you provide the right ventilation and space. Outdoor equipment is designed to survive extreme weather, including the most brutal snowfall. Your outdoor air conditioner is no exception, and it should have a slew of tiny holes to allow air to pass through and dry it off. Furthermore, covers can exacerbate or induce other issues when not maintained properly.
Animals, mainly rats, may take shelter beneath the cover during the winter. You can trap the moisture inside the lid if proper ventilation is not provided. It can encourage mold growth, and you don’t want mold spores to spread throughout your house. Additionally, the additional moisture may damage the AC unit’s components. If you live in an area where hurricanes and tornadoes are frequent, you can discover more here.
2. Keep A Sanitary Environment
Airflow through your condenser might be restricted by dust, weeds, and other obstructions, lowering its cooling performance. Keeping your outdoor unit clear of encroaching plants can help it perform better and promote greater energy efficiency, especially through the brutal parts of summer and winter.
You may improve airflow by removing debris surrounding your external cooling unit and pruning weeds and other plants. This may result in reduced wear and tear on your air conditioner and more comfortable indoor temperatures.
3. Choose A Suitable Location
Check to make sure your exterior unit isn’t always in direct sunlight. It should be placed far enough away from any landscaping or other impediments that could hinder airflow. Allow at least two feet of clearance on all sides of the unit and a minimum of five feet of clearance above it. It will enable your unit to dissipate heat properly, allowing you to be comfortable indoors without worrying about rising energy expenses.
It is vital to keep enough space around the outdoor unit for various reasons. To begin with, it allows a professional HVAC specialist easy access to the area during an AC or furnace repair appointment. In addition, it will enable the device to breathe. Keep a minimum of two feet between your house and any garden plants and five feet between any overhanging trees.
4. Maintain Vigilance At All Times
It’s a good idea to regularly keep an eye on the area around the unit. But, you must be cautious when approaching it. To avoid damaging the outdoor HVAC component, use additional caution when mowing your lawn or caring for your landscaping. Remove any debris from the gadget with a blower or a hacksaw.
Errant branches or stones, for example, could harm coolant lines and coil fins. Dislodging an object that has become stuck inside can be difficult. As a result, it is advisable to hire a professional with the appropriate tools and knowledge to clear debris thoroughly and properly.
5. Keep Your Yard In Good Shape
Planting a hedge or erecting a trellis, believe it or not, is a wonderful way to blend your outdoor unit into its surroundings. You don’t want it to blend in too much, though; as long as there’s enough space between the unit and any plantings, you’ll be fine. You can also build a gravel ring around the unit to keep weeds from growing too close to it.
Mow with caution since your lawnmower may rupture the coolant supply line to your outside unit or kick up a rock that may harm your coil fins. As a result, mow away from your exterior unit if you want to keep it in good shape.
6. Take A Look At The Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause not only water damage to the exterior components of your home but also affect your outdoor HVAC unit. Keep gutters clean by removing any leaves, twigs, dirt, or other organic matter accumulated inside. Alternatively, invest in a gutter protection system that directs rainwater away from your home, keeping your outdoor unit dry and secure.
Takeaway
While cleaning an external air conditioner is not difficult, the time and work you put in will pay off in terms of better energy efficiency and comfort for your family, no matter what season it is. Your outdoor HVAC equipment will last a long time if you take good care of it.