It is not a secret that all types of devices develop some issues when left unused for some time, including your lawnmower that gathers dust in the garage or your car that you only use every now and then. How about your air conditioner, though? What happens if AC is not used for a long time? Will there be issues with the unit?
There is nothing wrong with being concerned about your AC. After all, caring for your unit gives you the assurance that it will function properly at all times. Failure to do so will make its performance decline sooner than necessary.
This is why more and more homeowners cannot help but worry if their AC will degrade if they don’t use it for several months.
Most ACs are fine even if you don’t use it for several months
To ease away your worries, modern air conditioners have been built for longevity and endurance. These units can run several hours a day and sometimes even for a few days with no break or rest at all.
How about those months when there is really no need to use your AC? The good news is that modern ACs have also been made to be durable that can run for several years.
This is why it is important to take care of your AC if it is not being used during those chilly months of winter or for those instances when you are not at home for a long time. For this reason, there are several precautions you need to take to keep your device in tiptop condition.
Important precautions you should take if your AC doesn’t run for several months
Similar to how you still need to maintain and care for your car even if it is sitting idly in your garage, the same thing goes for your air conditioner. The good news is that as long as you practice the following precautions if you are not using your AC, you can be sure that you won’t be facing more serious problems down the road.
Make sure your air conditioner is always clean
Grime and dirt will always accumulate on all types of items. These unwanted particles may end getting into your appliances with openings where these will end up settling on the different parts inside.
The main issue with dust is the fact that it can form a layer and continuous build-up that can interfere with the smooth functioning of your AC. This is why even if you are not using your AC for several months, you have to make sure that you keep it clean and remove any dust on the unit on a regular basis.
Doing so will keep the appliance clean and dust and dirt won’t accumulate. You also have to be more diligent and careful when cleaning your outdoor unit. Make sure that there are no piles of leaves and grass or other scraps around the outdoor unit.
The surrounding trees and bushes must also be regularly trimmed to ensure that they don’t pose any threat to the safety of the system. Your house must also be kept clean. Don’t forget that your AC is an important part of your home so you need to keep this clean all the time.
Stick to the maintenance schedule
Your air conditioner’s maintenance plan considers the period when you will not be using it. Never make the mistake of thinking that the technician didn’t consider this period. You will only be asking for trouble if you delay the maintenance and following the schedule as closely as you can give you more chances of making the most out of this significant investment.
It is necessary to maintain your unit as this will ensure that everything will work optimally. The maintenance period will also be the perfect time for you to notice any potential problems that might not have yet become an ugly and expensive reality. This is the reason why it is recommended for all homeowners to schedule your aircon servicing deals before you switch the AC on after several months.
You should run the fan of the AC if you will switch it off after several months
When the AC runs, the air flows through the unit. There are times when the air gets filled with dust as well as other particles. The particles can then settle inside the unit, making it dirty. If you will switch off your AC for a few months, you should only run the fan with no cooling for one hour. It will help clear out the unit first. Just so you know, a properly shut down machine won’t develop any issue if it sits idle for several months.
Run the air conditioner’s fan when turning it on following a gap
Aside from running the fan of your unused AC as mentioned above, you also need to know the right way to switch on your AC following a long gap. Once again, be sure to run the fan for 20 to 30 minutes. As you do so, make sure you don’t turn on cooling.
When you run the fan, this will burn off the dust that is gathered inside the unit. You might also notice a burning smell but it is only the dirt that accumulated inside. This smell will fade away automatically in 10 to 15 minutes. The moment the dust has all been burned and no smells linger anymore, that is when you can switch the cooling on and take advantage of the perks that your AC has to offer.
The Bottom Line
As long as you take the necessary precautions and you shut down your AC properly, you don’t have to worry that there will be an issue once you use it again after several months. Before you restart the unit, make sure you complete the preventive maintenance as well. Through this, you can catch any potential issue right in a time way before it starts building.
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