Should I cover my outdoor unit in the fall and winter? We are quickly approaching fall and winter months so in this session of "Ask The Expert" we would like to cover one of our fall frequently asked questionsTo Cover or Not to CoverCovering your outdoor unit during the winter has been a “heated debate” in the HVAC field for years now.  There are pros and cons to both sides and each contractor will recommend something different. Here we will explain both sides and then we will give you our final recommendation.Pros to covering your air conditioner:* Keeps your air conditioner coils a little cleaner so it may run a little more efficiently when you use it again.* Prevents heavy debris like sticks, branches and other yard waste from blowing into your AC unit.* Helps prevent water from directly resting on your coils and freezing, which could be damaging.Cons to covering your air conditioner:* Covering an entire unit may actually trap moisture by creating a high humidity environment as the sun beats down on the cover.  

Inside this moist environment is your electrical windings, wiring connections, and in some cases circuit boards.  best central air conditioner reviews 2011None of these items do well in the moisture.* During the winter months the temperatures cause small animals to find a warm place to nest away from the elements.  cost of an air conditioning unit centralCovers provide a very tempting spot for these animals to call home.  window ac unit buying guideSmall animals can be detrimental to your unit by chewing the wiring harness for their bedding.  This can lead to a very expensive fix for you in the spring.* Most AC manufacturers don’t specifically recommend covering the outside unit.Our recommendation is that covering the unit is not necessary.

If you do still want to cover your unit to keep out debris we have found that a simple piece of plywood across the top is a perfect fit.  It is inexpensive, will keep out most debris, and leaves the sides open to keep moisture and animals out. If you do insist on covering the unit there are short covers available which will work similarly to the plywood but will cost you a little bit more.If you would like to ask a question to the experts please respond below. More from Brookfield Patch Daily Newsletter - The latest Brookfield news delivered to your inbox every morning Breaking News Alerts - Real-time updates on breaking stories in BrookfieldA cover protects an air conditioning unit during winter months. An outside air conditioning unit, often referred to as an HVAC unit, is a lifesaver during hot summer months. During the winter, you may want to winterize the unit to protect it against cold weather, snow and ice. Winterizing the unit also protects it against rust damage.

A few protective measures can keep the air conditioning unit in your real estate investment in top working condition. Find the air conditioning circuit near your unit. Usually, it has a plastic or metal lid that covers the electrical circuit. Open the lid and flip the switch to turn the unit off. This prevents the unit from turning on during an unusually warm winter day, keeping water out of the unit that could potentially freeze. Wash the air conditioning unit with a hose to remove bird droppings, dead bugs, dirt and dust. Remove leaves, small branches and grass clippings from the unit. Allow the unit to dry completely. Install foam pipe covers around exterior exposed pipes. Cut the foam to fit the length and diameter of the pipe. The foam covers insulate the pipes and protect them against freezing temperatures. Wrap duct tape around the foam covers to hold them in place. Cover the HVAC unit with a plastic or vinyl cover. Choose a cover that is waterproof. Some manufacturers make covers that are specifically designed for air conditioners, but you can use any plastic or vinyl covering that fits over the unit.

Wrap vinyl ropes or bungee cords around the air conditioning cover to keep it secure. Make sure the cover is wrapped tightly so it doesn't blow away in strong winds. Check your air conditioner once a week to make sure the cover is secure. Brush water, snow and ice off the unit. Remove twigs, pinecones and leaves from the cover. Things You Will Need Plastic or vinyl cover Bungee cords or vinyl rope Foam pipe covers Duct tape Tip References Michael Bonsby Heating and Air Conditioning: How to Winterize Your Air Conditioner Photo Credits Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Should I cover my air conditioner for winter? It's difficult to find an appropriate cover, but finding a cover for an evaporation cooler is easy (and because they allow for air flow from the outdoors, it makes sense). See this answer for things to do before winter hits, where it's not clear whether an air conditioner should be covered or not. I don't want to let water build up inside and given my climate, it will freeze and thaw repeatedly which can be very damaging.

On the other hand, I don't want to create a moisture barrier that leads to other problems. Any official word on this? I have never covered mine and this article also seems to recommend not covering it: Your central air conditioning unit consists of a compressor and condensing unit placed outdoors in aThese units, built to resist the weather, generally do notIn fact, covers can cause problems because they trap moisture and create an inviting winter home for small animals. Professionals who service the units tell me that most of the damage they see in spring was caused by rodents living in the units and chewing on If your air conditioner is subject to falling ice or other debris, you could cover its top with a piece of plywood, plastic or metal held in place by a They make a great point that a cover would provide a perfect winter home for animals which would cause damage to your air conditioner.

I cover mine in the winter using a single unopened trash bag and some duct tape. The bag is the right size to cover just the top and not much of the sides. This allows ventilation on the sides while keeping snow and ice from entering from above. With the duct tape, it's just a strip down each corner and then I run a band of tape around the perimeter of the bag to reduce the risk of it blowing away. I think the important tip that Jeff's link mentions is to not completely seal the unit, but simply prevent damage from above. Most people who advocate covering mention that debris, ice, and snow can get into your air conditioner in the winter if it's not covered. Plus it'll end up more weather-beaten if left uncovered. Never covered mine in the 31 years I've had it and I live-in upstate New York--brutal winters. no need to cover it.It's designed to be outdoors.Around here there's more damage done in the spring with the cotton wood seeds plugging the condenser. It is good to cover the top 1/4 to 1/2 of the air conditioner.