Your clocks have been set back. Your sweaters are unpacked and ready for action. Winter is just around the corner. As you prepare your house for the colder weather, you may be wondering: Do I need to put a cover on my outdoor AC unit? The short answer is “no.” Air conditioner unit designers are pretty smart, and they already accounted for things like snow, wind, rain, sun and extreme temperatures. Your unit is designed to withstand some serious weather without being damaged, so a full cover isn’t necessary. However, placing a piece of plywood on top of the unit and weighing it down with a heavy rock will protect it from ice falling off your roof. This is a quick preventative measure that’s worth taking. The long answer is “there’s some debate.” Some homeowners prefer to cover their unit to prevent debris like leaves and dirt from getting into the vents and creating a cleanup job come spring. The main drawback of doing this is that it may trap moisture inside your AC unit, which can lead to premature corrosion or even mold.

So, if you do decide to use a cover, make sure that you leave at least 12 inches of coil exposed so that air continues to circulate during the winter. Generally, unless your manufacturer specifically says otherwise, we recommend keeping things simple and just placing a piece of plywood on top of your AC unit. You won’t run the risk of mold or corrosion, and the wood will go a long way towards keeping leaves and debris out of your vents. Take our 60 second Home Quiz to unlock custom tips and local offers! Which of these do you have in your house? (Please select all that apply) What else do you take care of? Does your home have a...? What kind of tips do you want for your home? Sign up below to see your custom tips. Posted: Dec. 10, 2011 Q: Should I cover my air conditioner in the winter, and what is the proper way to cover it? A: Air conditioners should be covered in the winter, according to Bill Brink of Kettle Moraine Heating & A/C in Genesee Depot.

While air conditioners typically should not be affected by outdoor conditions, “Covering your air conditioner is important for keeping leaves, pin wheels, and other debris out of the unit,” he said. If water drain holes in the bottom of the unit become plugged with debris, water won’t be able to drain, which can cause corrosion. “Keeping pooling water out of the unit also is good because the unit does use electricity — and we all know water and electricity don’t mix well,” he said. There is a wrong way to cover an air conditioner. “As I drive through neighborhoods, I always see a couple homes that have a blue tarp wrapped tight around the A/C unit. This tarp will shield the inside of the unit from the elements… and create a beautiful environment for animals to live and thrive.” Brink’s most common “no cooling call” is due to mice chewing on and shorting out wires, transformers and fuses. “Only the top of the unit should be covered,” he explained.

As for the type of cover, he recalled how his father always used to use a board with a brick — a handy, inexpensive solution. used commercial ac unitsBrink recommended this for years until they found a company that makes covers specifically for protecting only the top and about 8 inches down the sides of the unit.my ac unit is running but not cooling “If you have a heat pump, don’t cover it,” Brink added. components of an ac unit“Your heat pump heats your house in the winter and cannot be covered.” House & Home Archives Bernie Weiss, Century 21 Affiliated Real Estate Index - 11/2012 redesign In today’s market, sellers need every advantage to make their house stand out in the crowd. Home staging is an essential tool in transforming a seller’s home into a buyer’s dream.

Finding a real estate agent might not be that difficult. Finding the one that’s right for you might take a little more work. Real Estate Index test From decks to driveways, contractors tackle a variety of topics. Local experts answer questions from homeowners. Senior Living: Senior Community Search You’ve made the decision to move to a retirement community, but where to begin on the quest to find the right community? How do you go about finding a facility that best meets your social and recreational requirements, as well as your health care needs, now and in the future? The following are a few tips to help aid your search for a retirement community. Sound transmission between units is one of the biggest complaints among condo dwellers today. Moving from a single-family home, many condo owners aren’t used to sharing common walls with their neighbors.Living in Florida, we’re no strangers to inclement and even severe weather. But while we may consider ourselves pros at preparing our homes before a storm, many of us tend to forget about our air conditioning systems.

Although the average air conditioning system is durable, it may not be fit to withstand a severe storm. Learn more about inclement weather and your AC here. Air conditioning systems have components that are manufactured to be fairly durable. After all, they’re meant to withstand constant use for 10 to 15 years before they need to be replaced. Although these systems are meant to be robust, they are meant to withstand the forces associated with severe storms like tornados, tropical storms and hurricanes. The kind of storms experienced in Brevard County, Fla. are no exception to this. Depending on the severity, inclement weather can wreak havoc on your air conditioning system, destroy the condenser unit and cause a myriad of costly problems that can prevent you from using your HVAC system entirely. But does this mean you need to cover your air conditioning unit during a severe storm? During a severe storm, debris flying about poses the greatest threat to your AC. The condenser unit for example, is one of the most important and vulnerable parts of your air conditioner since it is located outdoors.

Inside of this unit is a compressor, condenser fan, liquid line and other components that can sustain damage. If a stray branch were to fall on your condenser unit for example, it could crush it, which in turn could rupture the coolant line. This could result in damage to both the condenser and the remainder of your unit inside of your home. Although your system may be fine during a severe storm, protecting your investment before a storm occurs is best. If a severe storm is projected to hit, there are things you can do to protect your air conditioning system. For starters, be sure to clear the area around the condenser unit of any debris. This includes outdoor furniture, toys, tools, and any other items that could strike your AC unit if blown about by high winds. Although covering your AC unit with a tarp can help, be cautious when doing this as it can promote rust. If you’re worried that your AC unit may have been damaged in a previous storm or you would like to consult an expert on how to keep your AC unit safe, the HVAC professionals at Weather Engineers can help.