should i cover my ac unit in winter

Who do I contact for air conditioning products and service? What do rating numbers mean? What is a SEER? What does HSPF stand for? What does AFUE stand for? Should outdoor units be covered in winter? Should a thermostat be set to "auto" or "on"? Can shrubs or flowers be planted around an outdoor unit? If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced too? How do I know what size unit our house needs? What is the difference between a split system and a package unit? How do I find a Rheem dealer? Who do I contact for air conditioning products and service? For questions concerning new products, energy efficiency ratings, savings on your utility bills, or repair or replacement services, call your local Rheem dealer. He can answer all of your heating and cooling questions. The U.S. government requires an efficiency rating of all air conditioning and heating equipment. The rating reflects the percentage of energy used efficiently, with a high rating indicating high-efficiency.

The next two topics address this issue in greater detail. There are special names for the efficiency ratings of various types of equipment. Air conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit.
how to disconnect an air conditioner unit There are special names for the efficiency ratings of varying types of equipment.
ac unit in front of houseHeat pump equipment in the heating mode is rated by the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, or HSPF.
average price of a new ac unitThe higher the HSPF rating, the more efficient the unit.Gas furnaces are rated according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the unit.

Rheem heat pumps operate year-round and should never be covered. Similarly, air conditioners that operate seasonally are built to withstand an outdoor environment and should not be covered.That way, the fan operates only when the temperature requires it. This is the most used and the most efficient setting. However, there are advantages to using the "on" setting. Air is constantly filtered through the unit's air filter, and the constantly circulating air results in an even temperature throughout the house.However, we recommend that plants be no closer than 18 inches to the unit. This allows for plenty of room for air circulation in and out of the unit. Without this room for air circulation, the unit could overheat, resulting in a premature need for service.Rheem air conditioning and heating units are designed to operate as a complete, matched system. The efficiency rating is based on the entire system. Replacing the entire system ensures the system will be reliable and efficient.

He will consider many factors before making a recommendation. Factors like … size of the house, climate, the number and type of windows installed, insulation, and even the number of people living in the house. A split system uses indoor and outdoor components to provide a complete home comfort system. A package unit or self-contained unit requires no external coils, air handlers, or heating units. Use the Dealer Locator page on this Web site or refer to your telephone directory. Rheem dealers are located nationwide.How to Cover an AC Unit for Winter While some air-conditioning units slide in and out of a window, others are wall units that are not removable. When winter comes, you should cover the inside of your wall unit to assure that cold air does not leak inside as well as the outside end of the unit to protect the air conditioner from possible snow and freezing rain during cold months. Close the vents of the air conditioning unit first so that air can not flow through.

Unplug the unit from the wall. Wrap the inside end of the air-conditioning unit with the indoor cover. Be sure to pull it all the way back to the wall. Ask a friend to hold the cover in place. Wrap a tension band around the edge of the air conditioner as close to the wall as possible. The tension band is a simple, elastic tool that keeps the cover in place---it is fine for use both inside and outside. Ask your helper to spot you on a ladder, if needed, to put the outdoor cover on the wall unit. Repeat the same process as described in Steps 2 and 3, but don't tie the cover to the unit as tightly. The machine parts need room to "breathe" and release water via evaporation in case moisture gets inside. There are also covers for outdoor central air conditioning units. See the Resources for an example. All you have to do is slide the cover over the top of the air conditioning unit. Take both of the covers off completely before you try to start the unit again in warm weather.

EnergyStar.custhelp: Put a Cover on Your AC Unit Cover bare plastic areas -- typically visible on older units -- with colored or printed paper, such as wrapping paper, scrapbooking paper... For hot, desert or humid areas, air conditioners are a must for any dwelling. However, when it comes to wall air-conditioning units,... Covering your air conditioner, during the winter, is recommended by energy experts to protect the unit. While the outside components of an... Room air conditioners, sometimes called window air conditioners, cool the rooms they are installed in instead of an entire home. As much as you love your new rental unit, it contains one drawback: an ugly carpet. Such carpets are generally of the... During the winter, it is a good idea to protect your air conditioning unit with a plastic tarp, which prevents dirt, debris... Air conditioners require the use of a condenser to keep the cool air flow functioning properly. Condensers are located on the sides...