Common Off-Season A/C Maintenance Tips for Winter

Winter may seem like the time to forget about your A/C, but a little off-season care can go a long way. Taking these steps ensures your air conditioning system remains efficient and ready for next summer. Barker’s Cooling, Heating & Plumbing, serving College Station, shares essential maintenance tips to help you protect your A/C during the colder months.

Off-Season A/C Maintenance Tips for Winter

1. Clean the Outdoor Unit

Leaves, dirt, and debris often collect around your outdoor unit during fall and winter, which can block airflow and potentially cause damage. Regularly cleaning the area around your unit ensures it stays in top condition.

Expert Tip: Use a gentle hose spray to rinse off dirt, avoiding high pressure that could damage sensitive parts.

2. Cover the Outdoor Unit

Consider covering your outdoor A/C unit with a breathable cover to protect it from debris and moisture, while still allowing airflow to prevent rust and mold.

Expert Tip: Avoid plastic tarps, which can trap moisture. Instead, choose a cover specifically designed for A/C units.

3. Check Insulation on Pipes

Inspect the insulation on your refrigerant pipes to make sure it’s intact and ready for cold weather. Replacing any worn insulation prevents freezing and protects your pipes from harsh winter conditions.

Expert Tip: If you’re unsure about what insulation to use, consult a professional to avoid any damage.

4. Set the Thermostat to ‘Off’

Switch your thermostat to ‘Off’ or to heating mode as needed for the winter season. This prevents accidental cooling cycles on mild days, which could strain the A/C unit in low temperatures.

Expert Tip: Set a reminder to switch back to cooling mode in spring so your A/C is ready when warmer weather returns.

5. Schedule a Professional Inspection

Winter is the perfect time to schedule a professional maintenance check. A technician can inspect key components, like refrigerant levels and coils, and perform any necessary adjustments to keep your system in top shape for next season.

Expert Tip: Off-season inspections often come with discounts, so take advantage of winter pricing to save on your A/C care.

Keep Your A/C Ready for the Next Season

Off-season maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensures your A/C is prepared for the demands of summer. For reliable A/C maintenance and inspection, contact Barker’s Cooling, Heating & Plumbing at (979) 398-5194 or click here to schedule a professional tune-up today.

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Why Choose Barker's?

30% UTILITY SAVINGS GUARANTEE

You will save a minimum of 30% on your heating and cooling costs or we will refund double-the-difference of your savings not realized during the first year.

$500 INSTALLATION DATE GUARANTEE

If we do not have your new system operating by the date promised, we will pay you $500 for your inconvenience.

COMFORT GUARANTEE

We guarantee that the equipment we have installed will perform as we have stated, or we will remove it and return 100% of your investment.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Very Professional

Chandler did an excellent job checking out our heat pump. He was very professional, communicated well, was responsive to our questions and I was very happy with everything he did.

Steve M.

Honest and Trustworthy

Our AC went out during a late summer heatwave. Called Barkers and Victor worked very hard to get the outside unit up and running. Two hours later we conceded to the death of a 29 yo unit. Victor notified the office the next morning, and within 24 hours we had a complete new system installed, and the house cooled by the time I got home from work. Highly recommend. Honest and trustworthy.

Susan H.

Very Impressed

We were impressed by this company from the first phone call. Reed was an exceptional young man; very personable and professional. The installation team of Mike, John and Cody did an excellent job. Barker’s is a business with high standards and we are very satisfied with everything about them. So glad we found this company!

Donna D.