What Happens to Your AC When It’s Turned Off for Months?

Most types of electrical and electronic equipment tend to develop problems when they haven’t been used for some time. Some homeowners may be concerned whether the same applies to their air conditioning system, and in today’s post, your local air conditioning installation contractor answers this question and more. 

What Happens to Your Air Conditioner When It’s Turned Off for Months?

The short answer is — nothing. Most homeowners turn on their air conditioner to combat warm spring weather and hot summer heat, then turn it off for the rest of the year, which is something that HVAC system manufacturers take into account. As long as you follow proper shutdown procedures and make sure it’s properly maintained, you shouldn’t need to worry about not using it for several months. You can, of course, take precautionary steps to protect your air conditioner. For example, you can cover the outdoor unit with a tarpaulin or specially-made cover to protect it from dust, leaves and small animals.

Turning the Air Conditioner Back On for the Season

In addition to sticking to your air conditioning maintenance schedule, doing the following can help reduce the risk of potential damage to your AC:

Clean the outdoor unit — Take the time to inspect the outdoor unit and make sure the outer casing is free of obstructions. The grilles protect the coils and aluminum fins that expel heat from the outdoor unit. Keeping them clean will make them more efficient.

Check the outdoor unit for leaks — Look for signs of leaking refrigerant and condensate lines in and around your air conditioner’s outdoor unit. If you find any, don’t turn on your air conditioner until your HVAC technician has fixed the leaks.

Run it in fan mode — Run the air conditioner in fan mode anywhere from 10 minutes up to an hour. This will create airflow in the ductwork and push dust and odors out into the air filter.

If your home is equipped with a traditional furnace and your air conditioner is up for replacement, consider buying a heat pump. It’s basically a reverse air conditioner, using the refrigeration process to collect and pump heat found in the outdoors into the house. Many air conditioner models double as a heat pump, and switching between the two modes is as easy as flipping a switch.

Superior Air is your leading provider of air conditioning repair and installation services. Give us a call at (559) 734-2002. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Visalia, CA, and the surrounding communities.