Winter air conditioner care saves you money. That’s really all there is to it. Kerrville winters stay pretty mild, sure. But skipping basic AC winterization leads to expensive repairs the moment spring rolls around. We’ve seen it happen more times than we can count. At Airtech A/C and Heating, our team works with homeowners to protect their systems before cold weather sneaks in and does the damage for them. Here are five steps you can knock out right now.
Why Winter AC Care Matters in Kerrville, Texas
Protecting Your Investment
Your AC unit is one of the priciest pieces of equipment sitting on your property. A properly winterized system lasts 3 to 5 years longer than one that’s been neglected. That’s thousands of dollars staying in your pocket instead of going to some repair tech in April.
And here’s the thing. About 8 out of 10 spring AC repair calls we get could’ve been dodged with basic winter prep. Most of those fixes run $300 or more.
Texas Climate Considerations
Kerrville doesn’t get Minnesota winters. But those overnight freezes rolling through January and February? They’re more than enough to crack parts and wreck coils. The wild temperature swings out here in the Hill Country (70 degrees one afternoon, 28 the next morning) put stress on your system in ways that steady cold simply doesn’t.
Dust and debris pile up all year long, too. Cedar season alone dumps a ridiculous amount of material on outdoor units, especially if you’re anywhere near the Guadalupe River or the neighborhoods off Highway 16.
5 Essential Winter AC Care Steps
1. Clean and Replace Your Air Filter
Start here. Pull your air filter out and actually look at it. If it’s been sitting in there since summer, it’s probably packed with dust, pet hair, and whatever else your home’s been pushing through the system.
Swap in a fresh filter before you shut things down for winter. A dirty filter sitting inside a dormant unit is basically an open invitation for mold. Even during the colder months, check that filter once a month. Your heating system shares the same filter, and it’s doing heavy lifting right now.
2. Clear the Outdoor Unit Completely
Walk outside and really look at your condenser. Leaves? Branches? Anything pressed against the housing? Time to clean all of that up.
Trim back plants at least two feet on every side. In Kerrville, cedar and live oak debris are the worst offenders this time of year. Clear the drainage area around the base while you’re at it. Standing water plus a hard freeze equals cracked parts. Nobody wants that repair bill.
3. Cover the Condenser Unit Properly
Should you cover your outdoor AC unit? Yes. But do it the right way.
Grab a breathable cover, or just lay a piece of plywood across the top to block falling debris. Never wrap the whole thing in plastic sheeting. Plastic traps moisture inside, and moisture causes corrosion and electrical problems faster than cold temperatures ever will. And make sure whatever cover you pick is anchored against wind. Texas gusts don’t care about your winterization plans one bit.
4. Turn Off Power and Shut Off Water
Flip the breaker to your outdoor unit. This is the single most overlooked step we see. Nine times out of ten, homeowners just forget about it entirely. Leave that power on and a warm winter afternoon can trigger the unit to cycle. Running your AC below 60 degrees wrecks the compressor.
Shut off the water supply to any evaporative cooling parts. Drain the condensate pan all the way. Winter storms knock out power constantly around here, and when electricity surges back on, you don’t want your outdoor unit caught in the middle of that chaos.
5. Schedule a Professional Winter Inspection
Look, some of this you can handle on your own. No question. But refrigerant levels, electrical connections, and worn parts need a trained eye. A professional inspection catches small problems before they snowball into expensive ones over the winter months.
Our certified technicians provide thorough HVAC repair services and spot issues you’d never notice from the outside. We check refrigerant, inspect wiring, test capacitors, and flag anything that won’t survive until spring. Honestly, it’s the best $100-something you’ll spend on your home this season.
Common Winter AC Mistakes to Avoid
Running your air conditioner when it’s below freezing is the fastest way to kill a compressor. Just don’t do it. If you hear weird sounds coming from your unit before shutdown, don’t brush them off and hope they disappear. They won’t.
Forgetting to switch your thermostat from cooling to heating mode wastes energy and confuses your system. And a lot of homeowners zero in on the outdoor unit while completely ignoring what’s inside. Your evaporator coil, blower motor, and ductwork all need attention too. Big difference between partial care and real care.
Preparing for Spring Startup
When March rolls around and Kerrville starts heating up again, don’t just flip the AC back on. Take off covers, restore power, then let the system sit for a full 24 hours before you run it. This gives the compressor oil time to warm up properly.
Got a unit that’s older than 12 years? Spring is the right time to start thinking about what comes next. If your system needs replacing, explore our HVAC installation options before summer demand turns scheduling into a nightmare. Strange noises, weak airflow, or uneven cooling on that first run? Call a professional right away.
Protect Your AC Before Winter Hits
A little effort now saves you a lot of headaches (and cash) down the road. Winter AC care isn’t complicated, but it matters way more than most homeowners think. The five steps above take less than an afternoon and can tack years onto your system’s life.
Don’t let winter damage cost you thousands. Call Airtech A/C and Heating today at 830-257-5718 for professional winterization service. We also offer financing options to make AC maintenance and repairs affordable. Ready to protect your investment? Contact us today to schedule your winter inspection before that first freeze hits.
