How To Stop Your Air Conditioner Pipes From Freezing
No one wants to come home to a broken air conditioner in the middle of summer. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many homeowners whose pipes freeze and burst when they least expect it. But there’s no need to worry! With a little bit of preventative maintenance, you can keep your air conditioner pipes from freezing—and save yourself a lot of money and headaches in the process.
Keep Your Thermostat At A Consistent Temperature.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating because it’s so important. Fluctuating temperatures are one of the most common causes of frozen pipes. When the temperature outside changes frequently, as it does in many parts of the country, it puts your pipes at risk of freezing.
To avoid this, keep your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night, throughout the entire year. This may mean turning on your heat during the summer months, but trust us—it’s worth it! A broken air conditioner is far more costly than a few extra dollars on your energy bill.
Add Insulation To Your Attic And Crawl Spaces.
If you want to keep your pipes from freezing (and hopefully avoid a costly repair bill), there’s one simple solution: insulation. That’s right, by adding some extra insulation to your attic and crawl spaces, you can help protect your pipes from the cold. This is because the insulation will help keep the area around the pipes warm, preventing them from freezing—even during the coldest weather. So if you’re looking for a way to winter-proof your home, make sure to add some extra insulation to your attic and crawl spaces. It could save you a lot of hassle (and money) in the long run.
Let Your Faucets Drip During Cold Snaps.
Another simple but effective way to prevent frozen pipes is to let your faucets drip during cold snaps or periods of extremely cold weather. This may seem counterintuitive—after all, aren’t you trying to conserve water?—but it’s one of the best things you can do.
Allowing your faucets to drip helps release any built-up pressure in your pipes, which can prevent them from bursting if they do freeze. Just be sure to turn off your faucets once the weather warms up again! Otherwise, you’ll waste water (and money) for no reason.
Keep Your Garage Door Closed.
As anyone who has ever stepped into a cold garage can attest, cold air and air conditioners don’t mix. This is why, if your air conditioner unit is located in your garage, it’s important to keep the garage door closed as much as possible during cold weather. This will help prevent any cold air from seeping in and chilling the unit—and the pipes attached to it. Of course, this can be easier said than done, especially if you’re constantly going in and out of the garage for projects or hobbies. One way to make it easier is to invest in a good-quality garage door insulation kit. That way, you can keep the door closed and still enjoy the benefits of a well-insulated space.
Disconnect And Drain Your Hoses.
Another way to protect your air conditioner pipes from freezing is to disconnect and drain any hoses that are attached to the unit. This includes both the input and output hoses. Once they’re disconnected, open the valves to allow any water inside the hoses to drain out. Then, close the valves and store the hoses in a safe, dry place.
Doing this simple step can help prevent a lot of damage if your pipes do freeze and burst. That’s because the water inside the hoses can act as a conductor, transferring the cold from the hose to the pipe and causing it to freeze—even if the rest of the pipe is well-insulated.
Frozen pipes are no fun for anyone—especially when they lead to a broken air conditioner in the middle of summer. But by taking some simple preventative measures, you can protect your home and keep your cool all season long. So don’t wait until it’s too late—follow these tips today and rest easy knowing that your air conditioner pipes are safe from freezing (and bursting).
Do You Need an HVAC Installer You Can Trust?
Superior Mechanical Services, Inc. began in 1948 as a family-owned business with a vision to provide value-minded service with a down-to-earth approach to customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. As the premier Commercial and Residential HVAC Service provider for Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton, Superior Mechanical can do it all, from heating and air conditioning services to boiler services, to plumbing services. Our technicians are certified professionals who will ensure every part of your project is done right using a careful checklist to guide and test each step. At the end of your appointment, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your new system and give you tips on maintenance so it lasts for years to come. Contact us today for amazing service tomorrow!
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