Should You Cover an AC Unit in Winter?

If you live in certain areas of the country, the above question could be a moot point by now, given the number of feet of snow that might be piling up outside your home. For those who can still see their outdoor air conditioning unit, however, the question raises a number of points.

At first glance, it might seem like the most natural thing in the world for a homeowner to prudently cover the exterior AC unit before the first flakes of winter fall. However, there are some good reasons not to cover your air conditioning condenser during the winter.

Most of the covers that are manufactured for outside AC units fit so well that they can actually have the effect of trapping moisture inside the unit, which could contribute to further problems down the road. The snug fit of an AC cover can also encourage animals to burrow or chew through and to set up shop inside the unit –a situation you certainly don’t want to discover come spring when you crank up the cooling for the first day of the season.

It sometimes helps to remember that sophisticated machinery has been engineered to withstand some fairly extreme weather situations. In other words, AC units can typically weather the weather.

In order to provide the unit with some protection without smothering it in a cover, you might want to find a scrap piece of plywood that roughly covers the top of the AC unit and then place a couple or three bricks on top of the plywood to hold it in place. This will have the effect of preventing snow and ice from directly entering the unit while avoiding the situation where moisture or rodents will collect.

You can also rig a similar system for Window AC units; take care to address any cracks between the unit and the window, if you must keep the unit in place throughout the winter. Removing it for the season is recommended, however.

And if you live in an area where the elements tend to rust items that are left out for extended periods of time, consider experimenting with a coat of car wax on the exterior shell of the AC unit. This may help repel moisture that might otherwise tend to pond.

Contact AC World with questions about your air conditioning needs!