How Does Rain Affect Your Air Conditioner? Should You Be Concerned? As seasoned experts in the air conditioning field, we often hear concerns from residents of Griffith about whether rain can harm their air conditioning unit. The good news is that you don’t have to worry when it’s raining on your air conditioner because it will not cause any significant damage to your unit. Central air conditioners are made up of two separate devices: an evaporator coil which is located inside your furnace, and the compressor unit which you’ll find on the outside of your home. Because the latter part is exposed to the elements, it is specially designed to withstand rain, wind, hail and snowstorms. When Your A/C Is at Risk The only time your air conditioner is really at risk is in the event of a flood, as your unit will not be able to withstand submersion in water. However, these are extreme circumstances, and for ordinary every-day use, you’ll find your A/C will not need to be protected from rainfall.

In fact, over protecting your unit in winter months could actually lead to more damage than if you were to leave your compressor unit completely unprotected.average home ac unit cost If you get plenty of snowfall in winter, you may wish to cover your air conditioner by using a purpose-built cover as recommended by your unit’s manufacturer. how to wire a home ac unitAvoid waterproof tarpaulin, or any methods that prevent air from circulating in order to dry the internal components. ac unit fan replacementIf your components are not able to dry, your unit will be likely to rust. Using Your Air Conditioner in the Rain It is perfectly safe to use your air conditioner when it is raining outside, and doing so will in fact help to dry out the humid air in your home, making it more comfortable indoors with no risk at all to your A/C system.

Unless there is an issue with your A/C unit, it should work in all conditions. If you have concerns about raining on your air conditioner, or any other HVAC issues in the Griffith area, contact the professionals at Meyer’s today.After enduring a long summer pumping cold air through your home, your central air conditioning system is finally enjoying a much needed respite this fall. Out of use shouldn't mean out of mind, however – there are some important steps you should take to protect your AC unit over the winter so you know it will be ready to go when the weather warms up again. Read on to learn what you need to know about keeping your central air conditioning system safe during the cold winter months. Built to Beat the Cold Central air conditioning systems are actually built to be able to survive exposure to tough weather, and some people find that their units work fine even if they don't take any protective measures at all. However, the outdoor components of the system can be damaged by debris, moisture build-up and repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles, so it is wise to take at least some action to keep the equipment safe.

The first thing you should do when you shut your central air conditioning system down for the winter is to turn off its power. This will save you some electricity lost to phantom loads – and also prevent you from accidentally turning the unit on during the winter, which could create a big problem if it starts cycling water through the system and that water freezes. On the Dangers of Tarps While the cold itself won't hurt your AC compressor, debris that accumulates over the season can. Before you stow the system for the winter, clean it up and remove any leaves or other gunk that has built up. From there, some people just cover the unit with a piece of plywood to keep icicles, branches, leaves and other things from falling in the top. An air conditioner cover can also be a good idea, particularly for lowering the risk of damage to the metal from repeated freezing and thawing, but it comes with some caveats of its own. It's a very bad idea to just cover the central air conditioning system with any old tarp and leave it at that.

For one thing, moisture can accumulate underneath some coverings. Furthermore, animals might find the tarp to be an attractive shelter and make themselves at home. The trick with AC covers is to get one that leaves a foot or more open space above the ground so air can still pass in and out – a cover specifically manufactured for your AC model is best. Once you've covered your AC compressor for the winter, it's a good idea to check on it periodically to make sure the cover is still in place and to clear out any debris that has blown underneath. Other than that, you should be all set. If you need help securing your central air conditioning system from harsh winter weather, contact a qualified HVAC technician today.After a long hiatus during the cold Quebec winter, your air conditioner is about to return to active duty. Whichever type of unit you have, if it wasn’t fully maintained at the end of the summer, a thorough cleaning (including the filters) is a must. Because that effort will be repaid: a properly maintained air conditioner will deliver maximum performance at minimum cost, and will last longer.

A quality room air conditioner should easily last more than 10 years, and in the case of a central air conditioner, the lifespan is more than 15 years.1 Given how much they cost to purchase and use, proper maintenance is all the more important! Should you do it yourself?Depending on the type of unit and the maintenance recommended by the manufacturer, you can do some tasks yourself, while others should be entrusted to a specialist. Before going any further, here are two essential points to remember:Now let’s look at the various maintenance tasks you can do yourself—and, in some cases, that are best left to a pro. Filters are key components“In an air conditioner, the filter is as important as oil is in a motor,” explains Sylvain Dion of Climatisation Roger Demers Inc. Periodic filter maintenance is a must: a dirty filter will reduce the unit’s air flow, which if left unattended will cause significant damage to the compressor. Here is the required care:Cleaning the outside components of a room air conditioner Maintaining split-system air conditioners and heat pumpsDuring the winter, the outdoor units of central units (i.e., split-system air conditioners and heat pumps) are subject to the rigours of our climate.