{"id":1168,"date":"2022-01-21T16:37:07","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T20:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/?p=1168"},"modified":"2025-05-23T10:52:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T10:52:18","slug":"why-its-best-to-check-your-cooling-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/why-its-best-to-check-your-cooling-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Why It&#8217;s Best to Check Your Cooling Systems in the Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of the most important tasks that your heating system performs during the winter months is regulating the temperature within your building. &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heating,_ventilation,_and_air_conditioning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">HVAC<\/a> units are built to withstand some snow and ice, but too much will cause damage to your system as they need room to breathe and properly operate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Delaying or ignoring proper winterization for your cooling systems can cause a host of problems including unsafe work conditions, broken equipment, higher energy bills, and even code violations. Your cooling system needs specific care before shutdown or lay-up.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]Your winterization strategy should include, but is not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A complete system checkup, including testing controls and water testing<\/li>\n<li>Open systems cleaning, disinfection, and passivation<\/li>\n<li>Plan to insulate and heat trace pipes and sprinklers<\/li>\n<li>Introduce anti-freeze to systems that will remain exposed to the cold<\/li>\n<li>Temperature control of your towers and mechanical rooms<\/li>\n<li>Weather stripping doors and windows<\/li>\n<li>Check <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/energysaver\/central-air-conditioning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">central air conditioning<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Test_Your_AC_in_Warm_Weather\"><\/span>Why Test Your AC in Warm Weather?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Most air conditioning manufacturers and HVAC professionals agree an outdoor condensing unit should not be run in cold weather for any reason at any time. The reason is that the oil used to lubricate the compressor does not lubricate well when it\u2019s cold. The lubricant in a home air conditioner is not unlike the lubricant in your car. There are different grades, like summer-weight and winter-weight. The summer-weight oil used in the standard air conditioner is a heavier oil grade and only works well during warmer weather conditions. In cold weather, the oil is too thick for safe operation of the AC system.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TEPS_TO_TAKE_TO_PREPARE_YOUR_HVAC_SYSTEM_FOR_SUMMER\"><\/span>TEPS TO TAKE TO PREPARE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM FOR SUMMER<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"REPAIR_OR_REPLACE_DAMAGED_PIPE_INSULATION\"><\/span>REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED PIPE INSULATION<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The large copper pipe that connects your outdoor unit to your home is the suction line. If the suction line has damaged insulation, you could be losing the required level of cooling for your outdoor unit. This loss of cooling can hurt your whole system and make you lose energy, as well. Sun rot, humidity, pests and even freezing temperatures can all damage insulation. Landlords are required to remove indoor health hazards such as mold and pests under NYC Local Law 55 so the early winter months would be a good time to do it.\u00a0 A professional can help you complete this necessary task.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CLEAN_THE_AREA_AROUND_THE_OUTDOOR_UNIT\"><\/span>CLEAN THE AREA AROUND THE OUTDOOR UNIT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most HVAC systems need a minimum of 3 feet of clearance on all sides of the outdoor unit to operate efficiently. Remove any trash or debris from around the unit, and clear away any branches or mulch that have gathered around the base. When you\u2019re cutting the grass over the summer, make sure the clippings don\u2019t pile around the unit.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CLEAN_THE_CONDENSER_COILS\"><\/span>CLEAN THE CONDENSER COILS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Depending on where your outdoor unit sits, trash, vegetation or other debris may have become lodged in its condenser coils. These grille-like sections of the outdoor unit are essential for transferring heat when the unit is running. If they become clogged, they can\u2019t transfer heat effectively. Dry debris in the unit exposed to this much heat can also lead to possible fires. Check these often and spray them clean with your water hose when needed.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CHANGE_YOUR_AIR_FILTERS\"><\/span>CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTERS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a winter of keeping your home warm, your air filter is due for a change. Dirty filters make your system less efficient because they must work harder to circulate the same amount of air as with a clean filter. Making your system work harder can lead to early breakdowns, which could be disastrous in the peak of the summer heat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Clean filters also help keep contaminants from building up in your ducts. Dust and pollen can cause discomfort, but biological contaminants can be much more harmful. Check your filters often.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Any major maintenance and repairs to cooling equipment should be done in the wintertime so that your cooling system is ready for when the temperatures rise. If it isn\u2019t taken care of in during the winter months then you will stuck having to repair equipment in the warmer months when it is needed most.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text] One of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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href=\"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/category\/energy-efficiency\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Energy Efficiency<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"[vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text] One of the 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