Covering AC After Summer: Should You Do It?

[BACK]
Covering AC After Summer: Should You Do It?

There are times during the year when you need to do maintenance on your heating and cooling system. For your air conditioner, it will be in the spring, and for your heating unit, in the fall. Some homeowners wonder, however, if their outside air conditioning unit still needs to be covered once the cold weather rolls in.

WHEN TO COVER YOUR AC UNIT

After the summer, there is a reason to cover your air conditioning unit, and it is not just for the winter. Even if your AC unit is built to withstand both the rain and snow, it is not built to keep out leaves, nuts, or seed.

During the fall, cover your system.

When seeds or leaves get into your air conditioning unit, they can create a place where moisture collects which can cause corrosion. It can also block up any moisture drainage your system has.

Cover only the top of your air conditioner.

If you feel like making your own cover, you should keep in mind that it should only come down the side for about six inches. You do not want to cover it completely because if you do, you are asking for trouble. A cover that completely covers your AC unit will trap moisture inside and as we mentioned earlier, that can cause rust and corrosion.

WHY YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COVER YOUR AC UNIT

We tend to cover certain things around our homes to keep the elements away. For instance, lawn furniture and swimming pools – especially if a storage shed or a garage is not available. For those who are wondering if you should cover your outside air conditioning unit, it DOES NOT require a cover.

Some people tend to think that a cover will protect the AC unit from:

DIRT – When the AC unit is turned on, the unit sucks in air, which in turn brings in the dirt. Once it is turned off, no dirt or debris will enter your AC unit.

ICE, SNOW and COLD WEATHER – Outdoor cooling units are designed to endure harsh winter weather conditions, thus eliminating the need for a cover.

MOISTURE – Moisture (water) can also freeze the air conditioner’s condenser coils and this can cause damage overtime. However, there is no way to keep moisture out ALL the time. Either from the wind, or through the humidity in the air, moisture will definitely seep in. With a cover on your AC unit, you are actually trapping the moisture in and this can create mold.

RODENTS – A cover will definitely not keep small animals away. In fact, it is just the opposite! Animals also want to get out of the cold, so your cover can provide them with a new winter home.

If you are in need of a new air conditioning unit, or your current one is having problems, give us a call today and we will be happy to assist you!