So, summer has just flown by. The kids are already heading back to school in a few weeks (if they are not already there). You are thinking ahead to other things like football games and sports practice and music lessons. You may have turned your air conditioner off and shelved all thoughts about it in the back of your mind. You are ready for fall, but is your air conditioner? Air conditioning contractors know that most homeowners that have air conditioners are not ready for fall, or winter for that matter. Here is how you can be ready.

A/C Tune-up

Your HVAC contractor performs a twelve-point inspection on your unit. He/she looks for areas of concern, fills your refrigerant for next season, and cleans the unit to make sure it will run properly next summer. The contractor will also advise you on what parts may need to be replaced soon, and what that will cost. You can decide if you are going to replace them now or run the risk and have the parts break down next summer.

Clean Filters

Air conditioning filters and furnace filters get clogged up with a lot of dirt and allergens during the warmer months. Seeds from trees and weeds blow into the unit from the wind and the A/C's fan system. The filters catch most of this stuff, but the filters should still be cleaned or replaced, depending on what type of filters you have. Not only does this prepare your A/C for next season, but it also prepares your furnace to heat your home during the winter.

Covering the Unit

Finally, your A/C is ready to be covered for the winter. Covering the unit prevents rust and holes from developing in the coils, which can cost you a lot of money to repair and replace. A tarp-like cover or a plastic insulated cover are both sold by your HVAC contractor to help you with this (if you do not currently have a cover).

Otherwise, you can use a plastic tarp to wrap your unit for the colder months. Make sure the tarp is quite secure and that no part of it can flap in the wind. The top of the outdoor part of your unit should be covered completely, too.Homemade tarp covers should only be used if you expect to have a mild winter, there are mild winters where you live, or you cannot currently afford a proper cover for your A/C unit. For more information, visit websites like http://www.magnoliaplumbing.com/.