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.  None 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.  Covers provide a very tempting spot for these animals to call home.  Small 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 Brookfield Sold by BNYD and Fulfilled by Amazon. Air Conditioner Heavy Duty AC Outdoor Window Unit Cover Medium 10,000-15,000 BTUDetailsIndoor Air Conditioner Cover (Beige) (Large - 18 -20"H x 26 -28"W x 2"D) FREE Shipping on orders over $49. DetailsLaminet Cover Indoor Air Conditioner Cover (Beige) (Medium - 15 -17"H x 22 -25"W x 2"D) FREE Shipping on orders over $49. Leave an AC in the window year round without worries! Outdoor air conditioner covers quickly slip over and secure to the back of an AC unit, covering vents and access points between uses to stop drafts, conserve energy, and keep your unit free of dust, moisture, and insects during the off-season. It's durable and mildew and crack resistant. 22 x 27 x 18 inches

4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) #3,140 in Home and Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home and Kitchen) #2 in Home & Kitchen > Heating, Cooling & Air Quality > Air Conditioners & Accessories > Air Conditioners > Windowthe best window unit air conditioner 5 star35%4 star15%3 star26%2 star16%1 star8%See all 109 customer reviewsTop Customer ReviewsBe aware of advertisingFor WinterCover for a/cProtection from the elements!central air conditioner sales onlineFits well and is quite effective, but is not very attractivethe bottom is open just like the ones at the hardware store I​ didn't want ...works for what it isFits wellrecommended window ac unit See and discover other items: round vent cover, exterior wall vent cover

If you’re lucky enough to have usable outdoor space around your NYC residence, you’ll certainly want to make the most of its curb appeal. Whether you’re dining alfresco, playing outside with the kids, or hosting an outdoor cocktail party, who wants to be staring at an ugly outside air conditioner?While that outside air conditioner is essential to your indoor comfort, air conditioner manufacturers have yet to come out with a unit that’s particularly attractive looking. So that leaves it up to you to come up with a way to camouflage it in your outdoor space.Luckily, lots of creative people out there have dreamed up some ingenious ways to hide an outside air conditioner. Here are some of our favorites.Using lattice to create a screen around your outside air conditioner works well, since the holes prevent the hot air blowing out of the unit from becoming trapped. When air flow to the unit is impeded, your outside air conditioner can overheat. Dress it up with some fancy post caps and greenery.

Beautiful pottery with tall grasses, flowers or other greens are a lovely way to hide that outside air conditioner. Be sure to choose hardy plants that won’t be wilted by the hot air blowing from the unit. And keep them far enough away so there’s enough room to service the equipment.Why not paint an old shipping pallet to match your color scheme, and dress it up with some solar lights and hanging plants?If you’re not really a DIYer, you can purchase a privacy screen made out outdoor-friendly resin. They are available in different colors to match your patio decor.This lovely shabby-chic mosaic screen is made from bits of broken plates, mirror and stained glass, framed by fence posts.Since this will be exposed to the outdoor elements, make sure the grout is sealed. Also, make sure it’s moveable so your HVAC technician can get at your outside air conditioner when it’s time for service.This one reminds us of a stack of blocks like Jenga or Lincoln logs! You can stain it to match your outdoor furniture.

Again, the holes are a great idea since they allow heat to escape.How about an iron trellis surrounded by flowering trees or vines? This look works well if your brownstone has a brick exterior. If you like to spend time outdoors in the morning, we recommend planting morning glories in shades of heavenly blue, purple or white.Here’s another shabby chic idea: paint a set of old shutters to match your flowers or outdoor fabrics. (Also serves as a perfect cat perch.)These are two examples of different ways to create a vertical garden to hide that outside air conditioner. Remember, make sure it’s far enough away from the unit to allow for service.Related article: Air Conditioning Maintenance Doesn’t Cost, It Pays.This idea kills two birds with one stone (not literally!). You can store small garden tools and hide your outside air conditioner with this quaint garden structure. Just make sure it’s designed to allow enough air flow to your unit.If you love Asian decor, try this simple bamboo screen.

You could even try growing your own bamboo plants, but that takes a bit more time.12. Laser cut wood panelsThese laser cut wood veneer panels from Lightwave Laser come in a wide variety of patterns to match any decor. Make sure you have them sealed for outdoor use.If you love modern art, this is the idea for you. Sculpted metal panels conceal the outside air conditioner while serving as a piece of art for you and your visitors to enjoy.We’ll refrain from using the “killing two birds” metaphor here for obvious reasons, but you can use this idea to conceal your outdoor air conditioner and attract some lovely aviary creatures to your outdoor space. (Just don’t pick this one if you have cats.)Combine the tall grasses idea with an ornamental windmill to create a conversation piece for your outdoor space. Nobody will ever suspect that you did it to hide your outside air conditioner!Don’t block the air flow.If your outside air conditioner doesn’t have access to enough air, it can overheat and break down.

Make sure the equipment is accessible for serviceLeave enough space around the outside air conditioner, and/or make your screen easily moveable. If you’re putting plants in the ground, you don’t want them stepped on!And you don’t want to neglect servicing your outside air conditioner; it’s not worth the risk.Related article: Top 6 Air Conditioner Improvements NYC Homeowners Want.If that outside air conditioner is not as effective as it used to be, it may be time to think about a new one. And if you do need a new one, replace it first before designing a way to conceal it, since your new unit may not be the same size.Maybe you’ve been putting off shopping for a new air conditioner because it’s just too overwhelming to pour over all the options and make a decision. Well, now you’re in luck, because we’ve put together a handy guide to help you understand the air conditioning options for New York City residential spaces, and how to choose to right one for you. Grab a copy: The Ultimate Guide to Air Conditioning for NYC Luxury Residential Spaces.