What to Do if Your AC Hasn’t Been Used in Months
It’s common knowledge that appliances can malfunction if they haven’t been used in a while. But does this apply to air conditioners as well? In general, if you haven’t used your air conditioning unit for three or four months, it should still work just fine when you turn it on for the first time since the previous season.
Keep in mind that there are a few precautions you need to take before turning it on for the first time in months. Countryside Plumbing & Heating, your trusted radiant heat expert, lists these below:
- Inspect the compressor unit – Check if there are any weeds growing near your air conditioner’s outdoor compressor unit. Remove any weeds or debris that could block the blower unit.
Important note: Don’t attempt to open the compressor unit. If you suspect there’s something wrong with it, you should have a professional AC technician inspect it.
- Check your air conditioner’s maintenance records – Your AC should be fine even if it hasn’t been used for three or four months, provided it’s undergone routine maintenance. If it hasn’t, you should have a technician inspect it. As a rule, your AC unit should be inspected at least once a year (or twice a year if you live in a temperate climate). The same rule applies to electric heaters.
- Let the AC run in fan mode for roughly ten minutes – This should get rid of any residue in the unit.
Precautions to Take if You Won’t Be Using the Air Conditioner for Several Months
Here’s what you need to do if you won’t be using your AC unit for several months:
- Let the AC run in fan mode for an hour.
- Have a technician conduct a routine inspection. Pre-existing AC issues can get worse over time, so it’s vital that they’re fixed before your AC enters a prolonged dormancy period.
Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. offers a wide range of professional heating and plumbing services. We offer some of the best furnace prices on the local market. To schedule an appointment, call us at (715) 246-2660 or fill out this form.
