Covering your air conditioner unit can invite unwelcome guests to make a home inside the cover during the cold winter months. Rodents, lizards and other pests can create nests in the space between the unit and the cover and have been known to chew through wires and strip parts of them to create their shelters.
Why to cover your AC unit in winter?
What Will Happen if I Cover My AC Unit?
- Excess Moisture. No matter how well you protect the AC unit, moisture will always find a way in. ...
- Hazardous Mold. Mold frequently occurs in wet and covered conditions. ...
- Ice Build-up. Moisture can freeze, and ice can seriously damage the unit from inside. ...
- Unwelcome Rodents. ...
- Maintenance Cost Increase. ...
- Warranty Loss. ...
- Electrical Issues. ...
Should you cover your AC unit this fall and winter?
Whether or not you choose to cover your AC unit in the fall and winter is entirely your call. Either way I recommend you have it checked over annually by an HVAC technician. Regular maintenance helps keep both your heating and cooling equipment clean and efficient. It will likely extend the life of these systems as well!
Should I Cover my central air conditioner during the winter?
You may have heard that covering your air conditioner with a cover during the winter helps protect your unit, but that's actually a myth and can actually cause more harm than good. The last thing you want is to uncover a major issue with your air conditioner once spring rolls around.
Should you cover your outside central air conditioning unit?
Your geography and the positioning of your outdoor A/C condenser may be more likely to impact whether or not (or to what degree) you cover the unit during the winter. In the north (where A/C might only be used for 4-6 months of the year), one of the reasons you might be advised to cover your A/C unit after summer is to protect it from the weight of falling leaves, and from impending snowfall and ice build-up.
Should I cover outside AC unit in winter?
Outdoor cooling units are built to endure these harsh winter weather conditions, which eliminates the need for a cover. Moisture (water) can freeze the air conditioner's condenser coils, which can cause damage over time. However, there is no way to keep moisture out 100% of the time.
How do you protect an air conditioner in the winter?
Put plywood over the top of the unit only to shield from snow and ice, weighing it down with bricks or rocks to keep in place. Install a wood awning or shelter attached to the building that covers the top of the unit. Plant shrubs around the unit to protect from wind and blowing snow.
Does covering your AC unit help?
The mechanics and coils within the box are well-designed to hold up to extreme heat and cold, too. The quality of the materials and the product's finish are a big reason that it's typically unnecessary to cover the A/C unit in the off-season.
How do you winterize a central air unit?
Time to Winterize Your Central Air ConditionerRemove leaves, twigs and grass clippings. ... Locate the electrical circuit. ... Install tubular foam or rubber pipe insulation with tees and elbows around pipes to protect against freezing. ... Cover the HVAC unit with a waterproof Frost King air conditioner cover.More items...
What to check when winterizing a home heating system?
The most important thing that any homeowner can do to winterize the system is check the product for leaves, pine needles, branches, animal nests and other build-up. These items can cause damage and affect the unit's ability to perform well over time.
What is a condenser box?
The condenser (the big box that sits outside) is outfitted with a durable finish to withstand snow, rain and the heat of the sun. The mechanics and coils within the box are well-designed to hold up to extreme heat and cold, too. The quality of the materials and the product’s finish are a big reason that it’s typically unnecessary to cover ...
Can a coil be damaged by ice?
Though the units are certainly tested to withstand icy conditions, excessive snow and ice can be damaging to the coils over time. One thing to keep in mind is that any type of plastic or airflow-restrictive covering will actually promote rusting and internal moisture damage, and therefore should never be used.
Can you cover a wall mounted unit with plastic?
Never cover them with plastic, as it will trap moisture and contribute to mold growth when the product is not in use. Wall-mounted units, which are more difficult to remove during the fall and winter, can also be covered with a breathable fabric that will help alleviate drafts without collecting moisture. Clean Air.
What are air conditioners made of?
Models from the top brands are made with weather-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum and copper and are built to endure whatever harsh weather comes their way.
What happens when air isn't flowing freely?
When air isn’t able to flow freely, it creates an environment in which mold and mildew are able to infiltrate your home's interior.
Can air conditioner cover be harmful?
Negative Side Effects of a Air Conditioner Covers. Though you might expect a cover to have the benefit of protecting your A/C unit, water and moisture can still penetrate your air conditioner through evaporation. A bit of moisture in your air conditioner unit may not seem like a big deal initially, but it can lead to the development ...
Where is the A/C compressor located?
Your A/C is Made to Withstand the Elements. Your A/C compressor sits adjacent to your home, just a few feet away from the exterior walls and often directly under your roof , so units are already somewhat protected.
Is it bad to cover an air conditioner in the winter?
You may have heard that covering your air conditioner with a cover during the winter helps protect your unit, but that's actually a myth and can actually cause more harm than good.
Do AC units need to be covered?
Most units are built to withstand the elements and don't need to be covered. Learn the positive and negative effects of AC covers. The winter months are filled with excitement and merriment. There are school carnivals and plays to attend, as well as festive parties and holiday get-togethers.
Is an air conditioner a strong appliance?
Air conditioners can seem vulnerable, but they are strong appliances that can be dependable and highly functional for years if cared for properly. Learn what you can do to care for your air conditioning unit and help avoid breakdowns . Topics: HVAC.
Why do you need to cover your AC unit?
1. A Cover Can't Keep Everything Out. Snow, ice, moisture, dirt and other debris are the primary reason for covering your AC unit. But because newer units are built to withstand weather, and you can't completely keep out moisture and dirt anyway, it could prove to be a waste of time at best.
Is a 1997 AC weatherproof?
Thanks to modern technology, AC units are built to be efficient and durable '97 but that's not to say they're completely weatherproof. In fact, you perhaps should be more focused on protecting your AC unit during the fall than during the winter. While your unit was built to stand up to inclement conditions, it wasn't built to protect ...
Is it necessary to cover an AC unit?
Many AC experts believe covering your air conditioner is unnecessary, as the units have been built to withstand extreme weather such as rain, wind, snow and ice. That may be true '97 but there are some circumstances in which covering your AC unit is advisable.
Should I cover my AC unit in the winter?
In theory, it makes sense: You won't need your air conditioning unit during the winter unless you live in a climate where it gets hot in the winter '97 so why not cover it up for protection from the elements?
Can AC be damaged in the fall?
Unfortunately, many homeowners aren't aware of the damage fall can bring to their AC system. It's also difficult for some homeowners to cover their units during the fall, as the weather can still be quite unpredictable in some climates: cool and rainy one day, hot and sunny the next.
Should I cover my air conditioner during the cooler months?
To that end, you might consider covering your air-conditioning unit during the cooler months.
Should I cover my air conditioner?
You do not want to cover the air conditioner completely, as it can lead to a number of problems such as trapping moisture inside and causing corrosion '97 in which case you could've just left it uncovered and taken your chances.
How to keep HVAC system in top working condition?
One of the best ways to keep your HVAC system in top working condition all year long is to schedule professional maintenance with your local Aire Serv ® . Call our team at (855) 679-0011 or request an appointment online to get started. We can help you with winter HVAC issues, but we don't handle plumbing!
What is an air conditioner cover?
Air conditioner covers, available at most hardware stores, are designed to protect an outdoor air conditioning unit from the elements during the fall and winter months when it’s not running.
How to protect a fan from hail?
Use a cover that features breathable material, not plastic, which traps moisture inside. Cover with plywood on the top of the unit only . This will protect the fan and other components from falling leaves, debris, ice, or hail.
How to protect metal from moisture?
Alternatively, rather than covering with a material that may create condensation, apply a coat of wax to protect the metal. A wax layer will prevent the moisture from attaching to the metal.
What is the purpose of a cover?
Depending on the style, the goal of the cover is typically to keep seeds, rocks, grass, leaves, hail, ice, snow, and the like from damaging the unit.
Can an air conditioner cover be used for rodents?
But the concerns aren’t limited to humidity. Air conditioner covers may also create a relatively warm, safe, dry habitat for vermin, like rodents. An outdoor air conditioning unit already has built-in protection to withstand cold weather elements, including snow, ice, and extreme temperatures.
When Should You Cover Your AC Unit?
Although whole-house AC units are designed to be out in the elements 365 days a year—you can’t exactly unhook them and haul them into the garage after all—that doesn’t mean you have to let them bear the full brunt of bad weather.
When Should You Leave Your AC Unit Uncovered?
Rather than put this bit of information as a little note somewhere else in the article, we’re putting it in its own section for maximum visibility. There is one situation where you should never cover your AC unit.
The Wrong Way to Cover Your AC Unit
Don’t do this. Your AC unit doesn’t like being suffocated. IkeHayden/Shutterstock.com
Set a Reminder to Remove the Cover
Your AC unit won’t function very well with the cover in place and can even be damaged by it, so you’ll want to be sure to remove it before AC season is upon us again.
