Should I Use An Air Conditioner Cover This Winter?
It’s important to maintain your air conditioner to keep it in good shape, but using an air conditioner cover in the winter can sometimes do more harm than good.
An air conditioner cover is designed to keep debris and dirt out from the unit during the season that it’s not in use. However, it is not always necessary to cover your air conditioner during the winter and in some cases, it can even be harmful to the equipment. Now let’s take a closer look at air conditioner covers and find out how you can properly use one this winter.
What is an air conditioner cover?
An air conditioner cover is designed to protect your AC from debris and from the elements when it’s not in use. They come in different sizes, styles and materials, such as: insulated, adjustable, top-only, waterproof, reinforced, etc. The purpose of the cover is to keep out debris like rocks, leaves, sticks, grass, snow, ice, and hail which could damage the unit.
Is an air conditioner cover necessary?
You might think that adding a layer of protection to your air conditioner during the winter will help to preserve the equipment, but it can have the opposite effect depending on the climate you live in.
If you live in a humid climate with lots of precipitation, we recommend that you avoid using an air conditioner cover. This is because in humid climates moisture will be trapped under the cover and can damage the unit over time. Using an air conditioner cover in a humid climate could result in mildew and mold, a rusted condenser coil, and corrosion on the inside of the AC. Not only that, but rodents seeking shelter in the cold often use air conditioner covers as a safe and warm home for the winter.
Air conditioners are already built to withstand typical weather conditions like snow, ice, and extreme cold. With that being said, your air conditioner could benefit from a cover in the event of a big storm. If a major storm is in the forecast, you can cover your air conditioner before the storm and remove it once the storm has passed. This way you will be protecting your air conditioner from the storm without damaging the unit over time.
How to use an air conditioner cover properly
If you live in a dry climate, then using an air conditioner cover as a layer of protection from debris during the fall and winter season does not run the same risk of damaging your air conditioner.
Here are three tips that will guide you in covering your air conditioner properly and avoid the common problems associated with AC covers:
- Choose a cover made from a breathable material, not plastic. A plastic cover will trap moisture inside that will damage the condenser coil and other components inside.
- Cover only the top of your AC with plywood to protect the unit from debris like leaves, ice, and hail.
- If you wish to keep your AC covered all year round, build a shelter that provides shade in the summer and protection from the weather in the winter. Creating a proper shelter for the air conditioner will protect the unit while avoiding rodents and excess moisture.
An additional step you can take to protect your air conditioner from mold and rust is to coat the metal with wax. A wax layer acts as a barrier that stops moisture from sticking to the metal.
As you’re getting ready for the fall season approaching, we hope that we were helpful in teaching you how to protect your air conditioner for the winter. If you have any more questions regarding AC maintenance or have any other HVAC related concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
DeMark Home Ontario offers purchase, rental, and financing options for every budget and the top air conditioner brands in the market. Our quick and efficient air conditioner replacement is done by our team of fully licensed and trained HVAC technicians. Give us a call at 1 (855) 998-2998 or fill out our online request form and we will be happy to assist you with your request.
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