Cover your air conditioner in the winter?

[Patman]

I just moved into a brand new house a few months ago, and I've noticed that most of my neighbors around me have now started covering their AC units for the winter. I've never done this in the past, and have never had problems and was wondering if any of you guys do it and why? I would assume these units are very durable, they sit outside all summer long and get rained on, so rust can't be an issue. Or is it an issue with water getting in there and then freezing? (although since the unit won't be turned on until it gets hot outside and fully thaws, that also doesn't seem like a huge issue either) I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had a problem that could have been avoided by covering it.

 

[Snagglefoot]

It makes them feel cozy.

 

[HangFire]

I am assuming you are talking about whole house units and not window shakers. A cover keeps the unit free of sand, dust, driveway salt, twigs, pine needles, nuts and leaves. All of those things clog up the coils and reduce heat transfer.

If you are talking window shakers, a cover reduces heat transfer to the outside. Back in the day when I had a few, I just removed the units every Fall.

 

[Chris142]

My dad used to do that untill I explained to him the difference between an ac and a swamp cooler.

 

[2009Edge]

I can't do it. I have a heat pump

 

[opus1]

I did when I first moved into my house but stopped after a couple of years. No reason other than laziness. And I figured that the AC unit gets exposed to the weather for half the year anyway. The house is 17 years old.

Last month I had a new HVAC system put in and asked the installer what to do and he said that he doesn't cover his, and doesn't really recommend that people cover their units since it is designed to be outside. He did qualify that by saying that if I had a lot of trees near that side of the house he wouldn't discourage covering the unit, but in my case there really was no need.

 

[Touring5]

As a kid I remember my dad always used a plastic cover with straps to cover the A/C unit during the winter. Years later I saw some "expert" talking about it and said that such covers are counter-productive. He said they trap moisture and promote faster rusting of steel parts.

I haven't covered the A/C for years, but give it a good tune-up in May (clean out the inside of leaves and dirt, rinse out the coils and straighten any bent fins, and oil the fan motor), our house has had two condensing units in it since 1962, with the current one having been installed in 1989 - so it's probably on it's last leg.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted by HangFire
I am assuming you are talking about whole house units and not window shakers. A cover keeps the unit free of sand, dust, driveway salt, twigs, pine needles, nuts and leaves. All of those things clog up the coils and reduce heat transfer.



I am talking about the whole house units, and covering it might keep those things away in the winter but what about the rest of the year when it's not covered?

 

[Reggaemon]

Just put a cover on the top, no reason to have a foot of snow resting on the fan motor or blades. Leave the sides open so the water that does get inside can dry out.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

In 30 years of home ownership, I have never, ever covered my AC units.

Never had a problem that could be traced to not covering in the winter.

Just read the post above mine. I have done that a couple times in the past. Too long ago to remember when. Doubt it made a difference.

My current house has 36" overhangs and that helps too.

 

[Nick1994]

I use the A/C during the winter

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I used a mesh cover in the Winter. Keeps leaves out. Could use it year round but A/C guy removes it in Spring when he checks A/C. Here is an example.

Mesh A/C Cover

 

[GimmeTorq]

Originally Posted by Reggaemon
Just put a cover on the top, no reason to have a foot of snow resting on the fan motor or blades. Leave the sides open so the water that does get inside can dry out.


This is what I do, a folded tarp on the top covering the fan grill. The air can still circulated freely thru the unit.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted by Nick1994
I use the A/C during the winter

Yeah. I only turn off A/C 10 days a year at most.

 

[blupupher]

Originally Posted by Nick1994
I use the A/C during the winter

Ditto.
Mine was running 3 days ago with 90°F outside temps.

 

[StevieC]

We have always covered ours both when I lived with my folks and now that I'm on my own. My folks compressor is about 20 years old now and still functioning well without leaks. Don't know if that is because they covered it but I know it's just a bargain unit that was installed by the owners prior and not some higher end model.

I just bought a tarp style cover that is made for A/C compressors and I use tight bungee cords around the middle. Be sure to turn off your fuse at the panel so that someone doesn't switch it over to cool one day accidentally without taking the cover off. Trust me it happens.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Covered AC condenser ever since I owned a house with AC. Also use an intake screen when cotton starts flying and discharge screen when leaves start falling. Never needed AC at 6300 ft. and 7200 ft. in Colorado and New Mexico.

 

[Kruse]

The local HVAC man that I frequently see says it has no real benefit except perhaps keeping the paint looking a little newer, EXCEPT in the spring when he gets an occasional service call from the person who forgot to take the cover off before they try the AC for the first time of the cooling season.

 

[Nick1994]

I think I'd get a $10 sheet of plywood and put it on top, screw on some 2x4 legs so it doesn't blow around. Stops the majority of the snow pile but then lets it breathe so it isn't all moist and gross. But I guess snow blows sideways too. Maybe block 3 sides?

 

[emg]

We put it on mostly because the A/C guy gave us a cover when he installed it. I've read arguments online both in favor and against.

However, the one time I didn't put it on before the first snows of winter there were big chunks of ice stuck to the blades, so it's probably worth doing if it keeps the snow out.