When the weather gets cooler, it's time to turn off the air conditioners. AC units need protection from leaves and other debris, though. Instead of an expensive cover, a piece of plywood does the trick. Over at Quicken Loans' Zing blog, they say the secret to protect your AC unit is to just cover the top:Get a large square of plywood and set it on top of the system. This will help keep any falling leaves, snow or ice out of your system while preventing damage from snow and sleet.You see, by covering the unit so tightly, you wind up trapping in a lot of the things you're trying to keep out, like moisture, condensation and any residual debris. Think about it this way: the unit was made to stay outside, so don't worry about protecting it from the outside.It may not look pretty, but it's inexpensive and easy to install. Ask your service technician about your particular outdoor unit and circumstances. If you have a heat pump that works year round, then this tip isn't for you. A heat pump doesn't retire for the winter.

Hit the link to read more. How to Winterize Your Air-Conditioning Unit the Right Way | Should I Cover My AC Unit During the Winter? For Canadians, air conditioning is usually an afterthought by this time of year, unless you’ve escaped to a warmer destination. But in order for your unit to function properly next spring and summer, it needs to survive the harsh winter elements first, which brings up the question of whether or not it should be covered during the coldest months of the year. There are pros and cons to both sides, and we’ll explain each of them to help you make an informed decision this season! Pros of covering your air conditioner: Especially in cold climates, it’s not uncommon for heavy debris like ice, sticks, branches and other yard waste to blow into your air conditioning unit or fall from the roof during the winter. Most heavy-duty air conditioner covers can protect against the snow, rain and debris that can harm your unit. Covering your air conditioner until you need to use it again can help to keep your coils a little cleaner, so it may run more efficiently when you turn it on again in the spring.

An air conditioner cover can help to prevent water from directly resting on your coils and freezing, which could potentially cause major damage. Cons of covering your air conditioner Covering your air conditioner during the winter could potentially trap moisture by creating a high-humidity environment when the sun beats down on it. Parts of your air conditioner like the wiring connections, circuit boards and electrical windings can be negatively affected by a moist environment. The warm temperatures underneath your air conditioner’s cover can be a tempting spot for small animals to take shelter when it’s cold outside. Small animals can be a detriment to your unit by chewing the wiring harness for their bedding, which could potentially lead to an expensive fix come spring time. Most experts agree that when all is said and done, air conditioners are built to withstand even the harsh conditions of a Canadian winter, and therefore don’t need to be covered. If you decide you are going to cover your unit, here are a few tips to make sure you’re doing it properly:

Clean the debris from the condensing coils Consider leaving part of the coil exposed so air continues to circulatebest time to buy ac units Buy a cover made from a breathable material to prevent excessive moisture from building up due to humiditymy ac unit is not kicking on Remember to take off the cover in the springhow much new ac unit cost We’re not comfortable until you are™ Learn more about our exclusive HVAC deals – book a FREE in-home consultation today! ™ “Reliance Home Comfort”, “We’re not comfortable until you are.” and the Reliance Home Comfort logo are trademarks of Reliance Comfort Limited Partnership. Next post: How to Avoid the Home Hazards of Winter Previous post: How to Save on Energy Costs During The Holiday Season – share your tips for a chance to win!

If you live in Las Vegas, the last thing you want is to compromise your air conditioner. It’s sweltering outside by the beginning of June. What about the off-months, though, when it’s feasible to keep the unit off in favor of opening the windows to cool off or bundling up to keep warm? There are some schools of thought that indicate that you should cover your outside AC unit when it's not getting daily use, but it's really dependent on where you live. In places where there's very cold weather with snow and ice, many people do decide to cover their unit to protect it from the elements. Even in those areas, though, there's a danger that covering the unit may make it susceptible to vermin. Mice and small animals take up residence in warm, enclosed spaces where people don't often tread. Not only do you not want rodents in or near your home, you also run the risk of them chewing through wires and damaging the unit. In Las Vegas, there isn't much worry over exceptionally cold weather.

Your air conditioning unit will not likely see a lot of snow or ice, so the short answer is that there's not much reason to cover your unit to winterize it in this climate. For residents who moved to the area from cold weather states, this is probably a lovely reprieve from your past routine. However, the fact that you don't have to cover your air conditioner doesn't mean that you're off the hook for other maintenance. An air conditioner is a significant investment, so you really have it looked at once per year. We recommend setting your appointment for the spring so that you know your unit is working order for the heat of summer. Adding it to the calendar at the same time each year may help you stay on track. You can avoid larger maintenance issues by catching small ones early. You can also budget ahead for a larger expense of replacement when you have up to date knowledge about the health of your current air unit. Related: Las Vegas Heat Has Come... It's Time for Your Seasonal AC Checkup

Just because you don't have to cover your outdoor air conditioner does not mean that you shouldn't be wary of problems caused by the outdoors in general. In the fall, make sure that your keep the unit and its surrounding area clear of leaves and other debris that could interfere with the efficiency of your condenser coil or unit. You should also change the filters with frequency. There are different schools of thought on how regularly you change them and it may depend on the unit. Your HVAC professional can give you some excellent pointers on setting a schedule for these easy, DIY maintenance tasks. Related: Protect Yourself Against Fall Allergies With a Seasonal Filter Change Whether you're experiencing difficulties with your air conditioning unit or just want to have a great company on hand for regular maintenance, The Cooling Company offers excellent service. Feel free to contact us with any questions or check out our online estimator to do some research in advance.