Winterizing Air Conditioners and Lawnmower
When winter gets here you want to make sure you have properly stored all of your outdoor mechanical things, so they are in good working order the following year. So here are some tips for winterizing those often-overlooked items like your lawnmower and central or window air conditioners.
How to Winterize Your Lawn Mower
1. Drain your lawn mower of gas after the final cut. To do this just let the engine run until it stalls. Try to start it up again. If it won’t start you have sufficiently drained it.
2. Change the oil. You don’t want old, dirty oil sitting in the lawn mower all winter long.
3. Remove the spark plug. Then add a little oil into the crank case through the hole where the spark plug was. Pull the pull cord to try to start it and move the oil around. Replace the spark plug, but do not connect the wire to it.
4. Clean your lawn mower well, especially the engine housing. This way there is nothing corroding the engine.
5. Check on the blade. If it needs to be replaced, do so now.
How to Winterize Your Air Conditioners
How you do this is going to depend on the kind of air conditioning unit you have. If you have a window air conditioner here’s what to do…
1. Carefully remove the air conditioner from the window. Depending on the size you might need help with this as air conditioning units are not light.
2. Clean your air conditioner. This can be done by removing the grills from both the outside and inside. Then scrub with a brush and mild soap and water.
3. Replace your air conditioners air filter.
Now here’s what you need to do if you have central air in your home.
1. Clean the unit outside your home with a hose to remove any leaves and debris.
2. Sweep around the unit and clean up all of the dirt, debris, and leaves.
3. Place a heavy tarp or cover over the unit to keep snow from getting in and causing rust or other damage to the unit.
4. Secure the cover with bungee cords.
5. Check the cover throughout the winter to make sure it’s free from tears or hasn’t blown off in the wind somehow.
6. Clean the vents in your home with a vacuum.
7. Change the air filter for the air conditioner.
Following these steps to care for your mechanical items will make them last you longer and save you lots of money.
