How To Maintain AC In Winter (5 Tips)
Quick Summary: How to maintain ac in Winter isn’t complicated – clean your filters, cover the outdoor unit, check for leaks, and run it monthly. Spend a few hours now to avoid expensive summer repairs. We’ll show you exactly how to do it, plus when to call professionals like Maqsood and Sons for help.
Winter in Pakistan isn’t exactly freezing (well, except maybe in the northern areas), and the last thing on our minds when we’re dealing with Lahore’s fog or Karachi’s humidity is the air conditioner. We’ve probably just switched it off and forgotten about it, right?
Here’s the thing though – that AC that saved our lives during those brutal 45°C summer days? It needs some love during winter. Think of it like this: we don’t just park our cars and never check them again. The same logic applies here.
Why Winter Maintenance Actually Matters
Pakistani winters are… unique. We’ve got dust storms, construction debris (because there’s ALWAYS construction happening somewhere), and that weird mix of humidity in coastal areas and dryness up north. Our AC units are sitting there collecting all this stuff, and come March or April when we desperately need them again – surprise! – they either don’t work properly or our electricity bills shoot through the roof.
We’ve seen people spend ₨15,000-20,000 on emergency repairs in summer that could’ve been avoided with just a bit of winter care. That’s money we could’ve spent on… literally anything else.
Why Winter Maintenance Actually Matters
1. Clean Those Filters (This Is Non-Negotiable)
Whether we’ve got a Dawlance, Haier, Gree, PEL, or Orient unit – they all have filters. And trust us, if we haven’t cleaned them since last summer, they’re probably looking pretty disgusting right now.
Here’s what we do:
Turn off the AC completely. Not just the remote – switch it off from the main power. Safety first, always.
Open that front panel. Most split ACs in Pakistan have a simple lift-up panel. If we’ve got a window unit, check the manual (or just look for the obvious grille that comes off).
Pull out the mesh filters gently. Don’t yank them – these aren’t cheap to replace.
For light cleaning: Just vacuum them or use a soft brush. Takes maybe 5 minutes.
For proper cleaning: Rinse them under normal tap water from back to front. If they’re really grimy (and they probably are), mix some regular dish soap with water. Nothing fancy – everyday Lemon Max or whatever we use for dishes works fine. Let them soak for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly. We mean really thoroughly – we don’t want soap residue in there.
Here’s the crucial part: Let them dry COMPLETELY. Put them in a shaded spot with good airflow. In Pakistan’s winter, this takes maybe 4-6 hours. Don’t stick them in direct sunlight or use a hair dryer. Just… patience.
Once they’re 100% dry (and we mean bone dry, not “feels mostly dry”), put them back in.
Do this at least once during winter. If we live near a construction site or on a dusty road? Maybe twice. If this sounds like too much hassle or we’re not confident doing it ourselves, services like Maqsood and Sons offer professional filter cleaning and ac maintenance – they’ll come to our place and handle everything properly.
2. Cover Your Outdoor Unit
That big box sitting outside on our roof or balcony? It’s taking a beating from dust, rain (when it actually rains), and whatever else the Pakistani weather throws at it.
Get a waterproof AC cover. We can find these at any electronics market – Hafeez Center in Lahore, Saddar in Karachi, you know the spots. They cost around ₨500-1500 depending on quality. Make sure it’s breathable though, or we’ll trap moisture inside.
If we can’t find a proper cover, even a tarpaulin sheet works. Just secure it properly so it doesn’t fly off during those random winter windstorms we get.
3. Check For Leaks and Blockages
Walk around the unit. Look at the pipes connecting our indoor and outdoor units. Any tape coming loose? Any signs of water damage or rust?
Check the drainage pipe. It should be clear. Sometimes insects decide it’s a great winter home. Not ideal.
If we spot any issues, call a technician NOW during winter when they’re not overwhelmed with calls. It’ll be cheaper and faster than waiting for summer.
4. The Outdoor Unit Needs Love Too
Before we cover it, give it a once-over. Remove any leaves, plastic bags (because plastic bags somehow end up everywhere in Pakistan), or debris around the fins.
We can gently spray water on the condenser coils to wash off dust. Don’t use high pressure – just normal water flow from a pipe. Let it dry before covering.
5. Run It Once a Month
This might sound counterintuitive, but hear us out. Even in winter, run the AC for 10-15 minutes once a month. Set it to fan mode if it’s too cold for cooling.
Why? It keeps the compressor oil circulating and prevents the internal parts from seizing up. It’s like starting our car occasionally even when we’re not driving it regularly.
Brand-Specific Quick Tips
Dawlance & PEL: These local brands are pretty straightforward. Their service centers are everywhere in Pakistan, which is great for parts availability.
Haier & Gree: Chinese brands dominating our market. Generally reliable, and their filters are easy to access.
Orient: Their split units have pretty accessible filters. Good value for money.
Inverter ACs (any brand): If we’ve invested in an inverter AC, winter maintenance is even MORE important. These are more complex systems, and professional servicing once during winter is worth it. Maqsood and Sons specializes in inverter AC maintenance and can handle the technical aspects we might not feel comfortable with.
When To Call a Professional
Look, some things we can DIY. Some things… we shouldn’t. Call a technician if:
- We hear weird noises when we test-run the unit
- There’s a strange smell (musty or burning)
- Water leaking where it shouldn’t
- The unit won’t start at all
Professional servicing costs around ₨1500-3000 in most Pakistani cities during winter (prices vary by city and service quality). It’s cheaper than summer rates and well worth it. Maqsood and Sons offer comprehensive winter servicing packages that include deep cleaning, refrigerant checks, and electrical inspections – basically everything we need to ensure our AC is ready for the summer assault.
Bottom Line
Winter maintenance isn’t complicated or expensive. It’s basically:
- Clean filters (once or twice)
- Cover outdoor unit
- Quick visual inspection
- Run it monthly
- Professional check if needed
Spend a couple of hours and maybe ₨2000-3000 now, save ourselves from a ₨20,000+ summer disaster.
Our ACs worked hard keeping us alive through Pakistani summers. Let’s show them some respect during winter. They’ll thank us when temperatures hit 40°C again… and they will. They always do.
Stay cool (literally). And maybe set a phone reminder right now to check our AC filters next month. Future us will appreciate it. 🌡️