Should You Cover Your Air Conditioner?
Properly maintaining your HVAC system is a key method of ensuring it remains in top-notch condition. One of the most common steps of standard HVAC maintenance is covering your air conditioner during the winter months. However, is covering your air conditioner really necessary? What are the benefits of covering your unit? Here’s a brief overview of why you may want to cover your air conditioner, and why it may also not be completely necessary.
Benefits of Covering Your Air Conditioner
● Keep Out Dirt and Debris
Many homeowners choose to cover their air conditioner unit to protect the system from accumulating dirt and debris. When sticks and other large objects fall into your unit, they can become stuck and cause your system to malfunction. Because of this, covering your air conditioner can be particularly useful if your unit is located beneath trees or surrounded by shrubs.
● Protection Against Extreme Weather
Minnesota is no stranger to harsh weather conditions such as hail storms, heavy snowfall, and rain. When this weather becomes excessive, your air conditioner can become dented or damaged. Covering your air conditioner can provide you with additional protection against these damaging weather conditions.
● Prevent Premature Rust
Exposure to moisture and common weather conditions can also cause your system to prematurely rust and deteriorate. An air conditioner covering can help you prevent premature rusting by protecting your unit from various weather conditions.
Why You Shouldn’t Cover Your Air Conditioner
● Unnecessary Step
Many HVAC companies will argue that a high quality air conditioner will be built to withstand all of the elements that the weather will throw at it. Because of its durability, covering your air conditioner isn’t a necessary requirement.
● Increased Risk of Rodents
A covered air conditioner may serve as the ideal nesting spot for rodents and pesks, which can cause both health-related and operational problems for your system. By leaving your air conditioner uncovered during the winter months, you may be able to keep unwanted pests out of your unit.
● Risk of Mold and Mildew Growth
If you wrap your air conditioner’s entire unit, you may be putting it at risk of developing mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can negatively impact your air quality and put you and your family at risk of health issues. To prevent mold and mildew from growing in your air conditioner, avoid wrapping your unit’s entire exterior with a cover.
As you can see, there are benefits and costs associated with wrapping your unit and leaving it uncovered during the winter months. If you’re still uncertain about which course of action you should take this winter, give the experts at Quality Systems Heating & Cooling a call! We’ll provide you with honest and thorough customer service so you can feel confident knowing what you should do with your air conditioner.
At Quality Systems Heating & Cooling, we also provide professional HVAC repair and replacement services for when your system isn’t performing properly. Whether your furnace isn’t supplying your home with the heat you need during the winter or your air conditioner isn’t kicking on when you use it for the first time since last summer, our technicians are ready to help. We know what it takes to keep your HVAC system running in perfect condition.
To start off with free quote, contact us today at 952-226-2665. We look forward to helping you establish a comfortable home!