Preparing Your Air Conditioner for Winter in Grants Pass: A Comprehensive Guide

With cooler weather in full swing, it’s the perfect time to winterize AC units in Grants Pass. At Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we’re here to guide you through the process of winterizing your air conditioner. From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, we’re ready to assist with all your air conditioner winter preparation needs.

Preparing Your Air Conditioner for Winter: A Complete Guide for Grants Pass Homeowners

While Grants Pass is known for its mild climate, it can still get fairly cold in the wintertime. Unfortunately, winter weather can end up damaging your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system if you aren’t careful. Through Grants Pass’s winter AC checkup, you can ensure your air conditioner is protected from sudden changes in the weather.

Why Winterizing Your AC Is Essential in Grants Pass

Whether you have a central air conditioner or a ductless AC, there are a few important reasons why you should winterize AC units in Grants Pass.

Prevent Moisture Damage and Rust

While rust can form on untreated iron in just a few hours, air conditioners have been specially treated to prevent the formation of rust. However, even the best ACs can succumb to rust if they are kept wet for extended periods of time. By properly covering and protecting your AC, you can prevent rust from developing.

Stop Mildew and Mold Growth 

Similarly, moisture can end up causing mildew and mold to grow. Covering up your AC can prevent snow and rain from getting inside. However, you also need to make sure that the cover is breathable. Otherwise, it will end up trapping moisture and humidity inside the AC.

Avoid Costly Repairs

Through your seasonal AC maintenance, you can prevent costly repairs and complicated AC problems. Maintenance prevents dust, moisture, and other factors from damaging your air conditioner. In addition, proper maintenance can improve your energy efficiency. 

Increase the Longevity of Your System

By learning how to winterize air conditioner systems, you can help your AC last longer. A well-maintained AC can last 15 to 20 years.

Boost Your Comfort and Air Quality 

When your AC is working correctly, it can efficiently maintain the air temperature in your rooms. Additionally, proper maintenance ensures dust and contaminants don’t get into your AC, which improves the air quality inside your home.

Top Steps To Winterize Your Air Conditioner in Grants Pass

To protect your HVAC system, make sure to use these AC winter care tips before winter begins.

Step 1: Clean and Clear the Area Around Your AC

As a part of your seasonal AC maintenance, inspect the area around your outdoor unit. You should remove any dirt or insects that are on the unit. Then, remove weeds and plants for about 2 to 3 feet around the AC. 

Ideally, you should remove weeds every few weeks. These plants can eventually end up getting into the AC and causing issues, so it’s important to clear them away during your routine maintenance.

During the winter, snow and ice may accumulate on top of your AC. When this happens, you can simply brush them off. Avoid removing any ice from the fins because these components are sharp and can easily cut your skin.

Step 2: Protect Your Unit With the Right Cover

One way to keep rain and snow off of your AC is by investing in a cover. However, you need to buy a cover that is explicitly designed for your air conditioner. Otherwise, it may inadvertently trap moisture inside your AC. The best covers are made out of breathable material that keeps moisture out while still allowing airflow around your unit. 

Step 3: Adjust and Test Your Thermostat for Winter

Once the winter weather sets in, you don’t want the AC to accidentally switch on during a warm day. After the AC has been covered and shut off, you want it to stay off. To prevent this from happening, you should switch your thermostat from cooling mode to heating mode.

Step 4: Complete Any Necessary Repairs Before Winter

Learning how to winterize AC units in Grants Pass is essential if you want your AC to be ready to use next summer. One of the most important parts of any winterization plan is to get your repairs completed before wintertime arrives. You may need HVAC repairs if you notice any of the following problems. 

• Odd smells
• Short cycling
• Sudden increases in your energy bills 
• Unusual sounds
• Hot and cold spots in your home

Step 5: Insulate Your AC Pipes Against Freezing

As a part of AC winterization in Grants Pass, you should invest in pipe insulation. Your AC’s copper pipes are responsible for carrying refrigerant to and from your house. However, cold weather can cause them to become damaged.

To prevent freezing, wrap the copper pipes in insulation. Then, you can use zip ties to firmly attach the insulation so that it doesn’t fall off.

Step 6: Replace Air Filters for Improved Efficiency

As a general rule, most manufacturers recommend replacing or cleaning your air filter every 30 to 90 days. This is one of the most important AC maintenance tasks to perform. The filter is the first line of defense against dirt, dust, and other contaminants that might get into your HVAC system. If the filter is clogged, these contaminants can bypass the protective barrier and damage your evaporator coils. 

Step 7: Inspect Your Ductwork

During your air conditioner winter preparation, you should spend some time inspecting your entire HVAC system. Over time, pinholes and gaps can develop in your ducts. In particular, cracks will commonly develop along joints. 

These cracks can severely decrease your energy efficiency by allowing hot or cold air to escape. As a result, your HVAC system has to work extra hard to condition air. This can lead to higher energy bills and more frequent repairs. 

Fortunately, this problem is readily fixed by simply looking for gaps and holes. Then, these holes can be sealed up by one of our HVAC technicians. We can also use our state-of-the-art technology to detect and repair minute pinholes.

Step 8: Schedule a Winterization Maintenance Inspection 

We recommend scheduling two maintenance appointments each year. Normally, we inspect heating systems in the fall and ACs in the spring so that your unit is ready for the upcoming season. During this inspection, we’ll look for signs of wear and any faulty parts. 

If there are faulty components, we can discuss the best way to fix your AC problems. For instance, we can replace blower fans and recharge refrigerant levels if these components are causing an issue. We’ll also lubricate your AC parts to prevent unnecessary wear. With professional AC maintenance in Grants Pass, you can ensure your system is well-prepared for the seasonal transition and ready for winter conditions.

Choosing a Maintenance Plan for Grants Pass’s Cold Season

If you need help with air conditioner maintenance tips, one of the best things you can do is sign up for a maintenance plan. At Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical, our Greenshield Maintenance Plan gives you VIP treatment.

The right maintenance plan and schedule can vary based on your unique needs. For example, an older HVAC system will need to be repaired and maintained on a more frequent basis. 

At Rogue Valley, we typically recommend that customers get a spring and fall maintenance inspection. This timing ensures that your heater will be ready for winter, and your AC will be in top shape for summertime heat waves.

During our maintenance inspection, we can discuss our best tips for seasonal AC maintenance and winterization. Once you have enrolled in our maintenance plan, you can enjoy some of the following membership benefits.

• Certified technicians 
• 24/7 emergency service
• 100% satisfaction guarantee for your repairs and maintenance work
• 10% discount on repairs
• Exclusive promotions 
• No overtime fees

The right maintenance plan can greatly simplify your life. By partnering with Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical, you can ensure your AC is ready and winterized before colder temperatures arrive. Our team will handle all of your air conditioner winter preparation, so you can relax and enjoy your winter.

How Does Grants Pass’s Winter Impact My AC’s Maintenance Needs?

In Grants Pass, the winters are often cold and wet. During the coldest month of the year, the average low is 36°F. Meanwhile, the average highs are around 48°F. 

While Grants Pass might not get as cold as the Midwest and other parts of the country, it still gets cold enough to damage your air conditioner. If you want to avoid hefty repair costs, it’s important to learn how to winterize AC units in Grants Pass.

Prepare for Colder Temperatures

Although the temperatures don’t drop significantly, the average lows in December, January, and February are between 36°F. and 38°F. On the coldest days, your AC will need insulation to protect the refrigerant lines.

Watch Out for Wet Weather

December is the wettest month of the year, and Grants Pass typically receives 5.6 inches of rain or snow on average in December. Most of the area’s precipitation arrives in the winter, so you’ll need to invest in a good AC cover. The right cover can keep snow and rain out of your air conditioner, so you don’t have to deal with any mold, mildew, or rust issues. 

Get Ready for Comfortable Humidity

Fortunately, the area has a low humidity level during the winter. This means you don’t have to worry as much about humidity seeping through your AC cover and leading to mold issues. However, you will still need to make sure that rain and snow are kept off of your HVAC equipment.

What Happens If I Don’t Winterize My AC? 

If you don’t perform seasonal AC maintenance before winter sets in, it may cause lasting damage to your AC. Not covering your AC or using a faulty cover can lead to moisture inside your unit. In turn, this moisture can cause mold, mildew, and rust to develop.

Thanks to the moisture, mold, and rust, your AC will be more likely to break down. This can lead to expensive repairs and inconvenient outages. Plus, it can cause higher power bills because the damage will impact your AC’s energy efficiency.

Why You Should Sign Up for an AC Maintenance Plan 

No matter how wet or chilly the weather gets, your AC doesn’t have to be affected. By learning how to winterize air conditioner units, you can protect your HVAC system. To ensure your AC doesn’t break down unexpectedly, you can invest in an AC maintenance plan. With AC maintenance in Grants Pass, residents can prevent their air conditioning units from breaking down and diagnose small problems before they spiral out of control. 

With our maintenance plan, you can enjoy the following benefits.

Convenient Scheduling

Your life is already hectic enough. You don’t want your HVAC maintenance to be complicated. When you get an HVAC maintenance plan, you can enjoy a more convenient experience. We’ll keep track of your maintenance needs and let you know when you need another appointment. Once the appointment has been scheduled, we’ll send out reminders before the day arrives.

Better Performance 

When an air conditioner has faulty components, it can’t function at its best. Clogged filters, low refrigerant, and similar issues will make your AC work harder to achieve the same temperature. Fortunately, your routine AC maintenance can prevent these issues and lead to optimal performance.

Increased Lifespan 

You can expect a well-maintained air conditioning unit to last for up to 15 – 20 years. However, this increased longevity is only true if your system is taken care of. If it isn’t maintained on a regular basis, it is more likely to break down prematurely. 

Fewer Repairs 

Getting Grant Pass’s winter AC checkup can help you prevent future repairs and breakdowns. Many minor issues produce telltale signs before they cause your entire system to shut down. When you arrange for routine maintenance, you can avoid future repairs. Plus, any repairs that do occur will be less difficult to deal with. 

Better Energy Efficiency 

A clogged air filter can decrease your home’s energy efficiency by 5% to 15%, and the air filter is just a single component in your AC. If multiple components are damaged, dirty, or clogged, it will greatly impact your energy efficiency when you start using it again for the next season. 

Lower Costs

By improving your energy efficiency, a maintenance plan can lower your energy bill. Plus, it saves you money on repairs and replacement costs. Thanks to these cost savings, your maintenance plan can help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars over several years.

Enhanced Comfort

If your air conditioner has low airflow or another mechanical issue, it will take longer for your rooms to cool off. Additionally, duct leaks and other issues can cause hot and cold zones to appear in your home. By maintaining your AC, you can ensure that your family has a better level of comfort.

Why You Should Hire a Certified Technician for AC Service 

From warranty protection to craftsmanship, there are a number of reasons why you need a certified technician to handle your air conditioner winter preparation. An experienced technician knows how to perform necessary repairs and maintenance work, so you don’t have to worry about the same problem recurring later on. HVAC systems can cost thousands of dollars to replace, so you need to be confident about the quality of your services. 

• Craftsmanship: When you hire a certified technician, you can be assured that you will get high-quality work. At Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we strive to achieve the best results every time. 
• Warranty Protection: Your HVAC manufacturer likely requires a certified technician to perform repairs. If you don’t hire a certified technician, it likely voids your warranty. Additionally, our work comes with a satisfaction guarantee. If your results aren’t perfect the first time, we’ll keep working until they are.
• Experience: Your air conditioner is a finely tuned machine, so you don’t want to trust it to just anyone. When it comes to AC winterization in Grants Pass, our team knows what the winters are like and what to watch out for. Thanks to our exceptional experience, your home can enjoy a heightened level of protection.
• High-Tech Tools and Equipment: Our certified technicians use state-of-the-art technology. We stay up to date on all of the latest trends, so you can enjoy the latest developments in heating and cooling systems.
• Reliability: By working with a certified technician, you can be confident about the quality of the results. Once we make a commitment, we always honor it. Our team is known for providing punctual, courteous services. 
• Efficiency: A certified technician has experience handling a range of different HVAC problems, so they don’t have to waste time trying to figure out what the problem is. Instead, we can quickly diagnose and fix the problem. 
• Peace of Mind: One of the most important reasons why you should hire a certified technician is for superior peace of mind. Our technicians know how to winterize air conditioner units, repair faulty components, and replace old ACs. Once our work is done, you can relax with the knowledge that your HVAC system is in good hands.

What To Do When Your Air Conditioner Breaks Down

On a hot day, the last thing you want is a faulty air conditioner. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get your AC running again if it stops working. 

Change Your Filter

If your AC’s performance seems subpar, you may need to change or clean the filter. While each HVAC manufacturer is different, they typically recommend replacing your filter every one to three months.

Check for Tripped Breakers

When electrical currents fluctuate significantly, it can lead to a tripped breaker. Often, the solution is as easy as flipping the breaker back to its original position.

However, pay attention to how frequently your breaker trips. If this happens a lot or it immediately trips again after you turn it on, there is an underlying electrical problem that requires professional help.

Look at Your Settings

Sometimes, a loved one will turn off your AC without telling you. If your AC doesn’t seem to be running properly, try checking the mode and temperature on your thermostat. 

Hopefully, these Grants Pass air conditioner maintenance tips will fix your AC. If they don’t work, you may need to arrange for a professional to check out your HVAC system. One of our technicians can inspect your system and tell you what type of AC repairs are necessary.

What Is Air Conditioner Maintenance and What Does It Include? 

After you reach out to Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we can discuss our recommendations for AC winterization in Grants Pass. During our maintenance appointment, you can expect the following maintenance tasks to be performed.

• Check Refrigerant Levels: Because of how hazardous refrigerant is to the environment and your health, it has to be handled by a certified professional. During our maintenance inspection, we will check your refrigerant levels. Then, we will recharge them as needed. 
• Change Your Thermostat: One of our HVAC technicians will check your thermostat to make sure it is set properly. We can also look at the thermostat’s calibration and clean off its sensors. 
• Replace Air Filters: For your AC to perform its best, you need to have clean air filters. 
• Tighten Electrical Connections: As we inspect your AC, we will tighten any electrical connections that have become loose over time.
• Lubricate Parts: Some of the AC parts rub against each other during normal operation. To prevent friction and wear, our technician will lubricate moving parts inside your HVAC system.
• Clean Condenser Coils: Before you cover your AC for the winter, we’ll clean the condenser coils. Once they’ve had a chance to dry out completely, you can finish winterizing your AC.
• Inspect Components: To prevent breakdowns, our HVAC technician will inspect the air handler, condenser coil, and other components to see if they’re fully functional.
• Test the AC: Once we have finished the rest of your maintenance inspection, we will test your AC to make sure it’s working properly. 

Get Expert Help Winterizing Your AC in Grants Pass and Surrounding Areas

Fortunately, learning how to winterize air conditioner systems isn’t challenging. At Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we can discuss the air conditioner winter preparation that works best in humid, cold weather. From installing the right cover to recharging your refrigerant levels, our team can help with all of your wintertime maintenance needs.

Learn more about how to winterize AC units in Grants Pass by filling out our online form today.