Benefits of Covering Your A/C Unit After Summer

13 October 2021

Fall is here, and with that, you may be wondering whether or not you need to put a cover on your air conditioner for the winter. There are a lot of opinions out there about whether or not you should cover the air conditioning unit.

When Is It Appropriate To Cover Your Air Conditioning Unit?

Your outside air conditioning unit is built to withstand rain and snow. However, it is not made to keep out debris that falls in the fall months, like nuts, seeds, and leaves. Leaves and other debris can cause moisture to collect, which will cause corrosion and lead to your unit breaking down. They can even block up the moisture drainage system your air conditioning unit has. So, if you want to put a cover on your air conditioner, you should only do it during these fall months when leaves and other debris are falling.

It is important that you only cover the very top of your air conditioner. It should come down no further than about six inches on the side. If you cover your air conditioning unit completely, it will be a recipe for disaster. Corrosion and rust will start to build, and it may be bad enough that you will have to get an entirely new air conditioning system.

Is It Safe To Not Cover My Air Conditioner?

Your air conditioner does not need a cover. If you want to protect it from the reasons above, it is fine, but your air conditioner will be perfectly fine without it. Some people live under the misconception that your air conditioning unit will be protected from the following:

Dirt and Debris

Even if you have a cover on your air conditioning unit, it will bring in the dirt when the air is turned back on. Having a proper filtering system will help this.

Cold weather, snow, and ice

Outdoor air conditioning units are made to withstand harsh weather conditions without a cover.

Moisture

It is impossible to keep moisture out all the time. When you cover your air conditioner up, it can trap moisture. When moisture is trapped, it can lead to mold growth. If you put a cover on your unit, make sure that you do not cover it entirely.

Rodents

If you have a cover over your air conditioning unit, you may attract rodents. They can see the cover, and they will be able to make their way into the unit.

CALL US TODAY

Your air conditioning unit is made to withstand the elements of fall and winter. If you want to protect it, only put the cover on the top and keep it on until all the leaves have fallen. If you have any trouble with your air conditioning unit, please call Romano Bros. Heat & Air. We are here to help you with any issues that you are having with your HVAC system.