As the heat of the summer becomes a distant memory, Iowa homeowners are turning their attention to household heating. While this makes perfect sense, there is still some unfinished business with your air conditioner that needs to be attended to before the winter sets in.

Remember, your outdoor unit is exposed to the elements year round, making it a prime candidate for costly damage. With that in mind, here are a few simple precautions that you can take to protect your air conditioner this winter:

• Shut off the power to the outdoor unit. By doing so, you prevent the unintentional usage of the air conditioner, which could lead to a freezing household, or worse yet, frozen components.
• If there is a water shutoff valve to the outdoor unit, turn your water off.
• Cut back any vegetation growing around the unit and clear away dirt and fallen debris. Letting this type of material accumulate in and around your outdoor unit is bad for the efficiency of the heat exchanger and can lead to costly repairs or even replacements.
• You can also remove buildup by hosing off your system. Just be sure to dry it thoroughly to avoid potential freezing.
• Cover your air conditioner with a water-proof cover, but be sure it’s designed to let some air pass through. Without the proper ventilation of a breathable cover, moisture can build up under the cover and potentially freeze.
• Once it’s covered, be sure to monitor the condition of your outdoor unit. Allowing debris, standing water, snow or ice to build up on your system can lead to unnecessary system damage.