Why You Should not Cowl Your Air Conditioner within the Winter

As the new summer season solar begins to fade and the cooler temperatures of fall begins to settle in, residents of Safford begin making ready their houses and yards for the wintertime. For a lot of, that results in the query of whether or not they should cowl their outdoors air con unit for the winter.

Whereas it might look like a sensible concept, the reality is there are a number of the explanation why you shouldn’t cowl your AC unit within the winter. Along with not being vital, masking your outside air con tools can generally trigger issues.

Right here, the consultants at B&D Air Conditioning share 5 the explanation why masking your AC doesn’t should be in your fall to-do record and what it is best to do as an alternative.

1. Your AC Unit Isn’t Broken by Snow

Outside AC models are supposed to face up to harsh climate situations like snow within the winter. These models are constructed with sturdy supplies and {hardware} that may deal with the outside parts with out injury. The coils and fins of the unit are specifically developed to withstand corrosion, and the housing is manufactured to guard the inner elements from moisture and particles.

2. Overlaying Your Air Conditioner Can Trigger Mildew

One of many causes it is best to keep away from masking your outside air con tools within the chilly months is as a result of doing so can entice moisture—which is the other of what you need in your outside unit. That’s as a result of permitting moisture to gather contained in the unit creates the proper situations for mildew and mildew to flourish.

Mildew and mildew not solely have an disagreeable scent, however they will additionally create well being dangers, particularly for individuals with respiratory points or allergy symptoms. Additionally, the trapped moisture can corrode the inner elements of the AC unit.

As a substitute for masking the unit, as an alternative guarantee correct drainage and hold the realm across the unit clear of particles, permitting for environment friendly airflow and stopping moisture buildup.

3. A Lined Air Conditioner Can Appeal to Animals

Individuals aren’t the one ones who put together for winter. Animals that reside round your property are additionally trying to find a heat, cozy place to reside for the chilly months. For a lot of creatures, a coated air conditioner is a perfect winter refuge.

Birds, mice, chipmunks and even rats regularly make nests inside coated air conditioners. Animals residing in a coated air conditioner may cause quite a few issues. Rats can chew via wires, insulation and different connections, inflicting injury that will require expensive repairs. Particles animals carry into the AC to create a heat and cozy mattress can block airflow and air flow, reducing the effectivity of the equipment and doubtlessly inflicting it to overheat. Furthermore, animal droppings may end up in unsanitary situations and potent odors.

Leaving your air conditioner uncovered helps deter creatures, as a result of an uncovered AC offers them much less shelter from chilly climate than a coated unit. That’s higher on your air conditioner—and leaves you with much less mess to wash up and issues to restore within the spring.

4. Overlaying Your Air Conditioner Restricts Airflow

One more reason it is higher that you do not cowl your AC unit within the winter is as a result of a canopy restricts airflow via the unit. Appropriate airflow is essential for the AC system as a result of it helps with warmth change and permits the unit to chill correctly. When airflow is restricted, the system has to work tougher to realize the specified temperature, leading to extra vitality consumption and pressure on the elements.

As well as, when you run your air conditioner with out realizing that the outside unit is roofed or since you merely forgot, it may end in a spread of issues. One problem is that the dearth of right airflow may trigger the compressor to overheat, leading to its failure or injury.  That’s why it’s important to make sure the outside unit is at all times cleared of any obstructions and isn’t coated to take care of most airflow.

5. AC Upkeep Works Higher Than Overlaying Your Air Conditioner

The underside line is, it is an entire lot simpler to perform a little upkeep on your cooling system than to cowl your outside AC unit.

There are quite a few key upkeep actions it is best to prioritize to make sure optimum perform and longevity of your AC unit. First, it’s a good suggestion to test your outside AC unit often and take away any particles equivalent to leaves, sticks and grime to advertise correct airflow. Second, examine and clear the coils, fins and filters to be sure you do not see any grime and dirt buildup that might impede environment friendly warmth change or airflow.

Routine air con upkeep not solely improves effectivity, however it additionally helps lengthen the unit’s life span, decreases vitality consumption and avoids expensive repairs. Reasonably than utilizing a canopy, investing effort and time into routine air con upkeep is a proactive strategy that may considerably profit your whole HVAC system in the long term.