This is a question we’re asked repeatedly. While we’re a little early for this coming winter, we thought we might mention it to you now so that you can be prepared for next season in advance. The Weather in New Jersey is definitely seasonal. Even though we’re experiencing strange weather patterns we can still count on cold winters and hot summers and spring and fall, well, somewhere in between. There’s rain, snow, sleet, hail, and lots and lots (hopefully) of sun. We usually run the whole gamut of temperatures and weather conditions in any given year. We protect our plants from the cold, sometimes wrapping them with burlap. We often bring in outdoor furniture, place heaters in our ponds, drain and cover our pools, because in New Jersey it's imperative that anything that has to be left outside be adequately protected. But, when it comes to an outside air conditioning unit, well….the story may be very different. Here are the Pros: • A cover can protect the painted outside cover of the unit • A cover can keep the rain, snow, ice, and other precipitation from getting inside the unit • A cover can prevent small leaves, branches and other objects from getting caught in the fins of the unit

• A cover can allow condensation to rust your unit! Moisture can be trapped between the cabinet and the cover you have ever-so-gently and lovingly placed on your unit. Moisture will lead to rust • A cover can promote mold and mildew that will damage your unit• A cover can create a home for insects and other vermin that want to come in from the cold An alternative: Place a small sheet of plywood over the top of the unit. You can hold this down with a few bricks or a couple of heavy rocks. Ok, so you’re not convinced? If you absolutely feel the need to use a cover…..please don’t use plastic of any sort. Instead, buy something made out of a breathable material and place it on the top only of the outdoor condensing unit. Hold this cover in place with the brick or rocks we talked about earlier, but, be sure to leave the sides open so the air can properly circulate around the unit. And, while we’re talking about air conditioning condensing units…. It’s important to have your equipment serviced annually to keep it running efficiently.

Annual AC Service may help you avoid costly air conditioning repairs. Check out our website to learn about The Benefits of Annual Service for your Heating and Air Conditioning or to Schedule heating or air conditioning repair or maintenance services. Have you schedule your annual heating tune-up service? Live in our service area?Air conditioner covers protect your outside condensing unit during the winter months when you’re not using it. buy 5 ton ac unitHaving an AC cover protects your unit from leaves and branches falling into the fan assembly which can cause damage the unit if you start it up in the spring and they aren’t removed. ac unit for grow roomAlso in some circumstances moisture can freeze in between the coils of the condensing unit and expand, which the air conditioner cover helps to prevent.how to reduce ac unit noise

AC covers are specifically designed to fit specific units by model number, so make sure that you search for you’re the cover that matches your AC unit’s model number to ensure a perfect fit. Covers generally come in black or variations of tan colors, so you can choose which what will look best outside of your home.  There are air conditioner covers made for most units regardless of brand. Click here to find the cover for your unit. Full Length & Top Covers: The Difference There are generally 2 different types of covers for air conditioning units, full length and top covers. Full length covers protect the entire unit while top covers only protect the unit from falling leaves, branches, and snow buildup inside the unit. The length of full length air conditioner covers are generally 3 to 4 inches shorter than the unit leaving a 3 to 4 inch gap from the bottom of the air conditioner to the cover, this allows air to circulate through the unit preventing condensation and mildew.  

If you’re not sure which kind of cover would be best for your unit, don’t hesitate to ask our experts by contacting us!You don't have permission to access /index-5.htmlShould you cover your outdoor HVAC unit in the winter? To cover or not to cover... Covering your outdoor HVAC unit during the fall and winter months has been a heated debate in the industry for many years. There are several pros and cons to covering your unit. Sila Heating and Air Conditioning will explain both sides. Pros to covering your air conditioner: Cons 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. Covering an entire unit may actually trap moisture by creating a high humidity environment as the sun beats down on the cover. The moisture will ruin the electrical wiring, wiring connections, and circuit boards. Prevents heavy debris like sticks, branches and other yard waste from blowing into your AC unit.

During the winter months the low temperatures cause small animals to find a warm place to nest in. Covers are enticing places for these animals to call home. Small animals can chew the wiring harness for their bedding.  This can lead to a very expensive fix for you in the spring. Helps prevent water from directly resting on your coils and freezing, which could be damaging. Most AC manufacturers don’t recommend covering the outdoor unit. The ultimate decision…is a toss-up! A piece of plywood across the top of your outdoor unit is a perfect fit.  It is inexpensive, will keep out most debris, and leaves the sides open to keep moisture and small animals out. If you insist on covering your outdoor unit you can still do so very inexpensively. There are covers in a variety of sizes available in most home improvement stores, which will cost you a little bit more than plywood. If you are still undecided, contact the experts at Sila Heating and Air Conditioning today!