The fact of the matter is that it isn't necessary to cover your air conditioner for winter or cold weather, or at any other time in the spring, summer, or fall. The outdoor unit is designed for outdoor installation and can withstand even extreme weather, including rain, high wind speeds, snow, winter storms, and ice.
If you're considering covering your outside AC unit in the summer, whether to protect it from bad weather or to possibly save energy, the reality is that you should never cover your AC unit – not even during bad weather. For one thing, outdoor AC units are specifically designed to live outdoors.
Covering the outdoor unit of a split air conditioner during the rainy season is generally not necessary. Split AC units are designed to withstand various weather conditions, including rain. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind: Water Drainage: Ensure that the outdoor unit has proper drainage.
A few tips and tricks to try are: Installing an open-design HVAC fence. Keeping your lawn clean with little to no debris lying about. Purchasing an air conditioner cover for storm season and winter.
Direct sunlight can have a profound impact on the performance and efficiency of your AC unit, leading to higher energy bills, accelerated wear and tear, and even potential breakdowns.
CONCLUSION. Covering your air conditioner, especially with a full-length cover, leads to issues of mold, rust, and other problems. Your unit is made to withstand the snow and a cover is not needed for protection. It is recommended to only cover your AC during the fall months.
Use Pots & Planters
Another approach to create a natural atmosphere while hiding your HVAC hardware is to put potted plants and shrubs around your unit. Use tall plants that hide the condenser unit and construct a wall of planters that suits the look of your home.
Air conditioners are designed for outdoor installation, so an AC unit is made to be able to withstand all types of weather, including harsh winter weather conditions – rain, snow, ice, and other forms of moisture. AC covers are not necessary to protect this equipment as it is sidelined over the winter months.
Rain alone will not harm your air conditioner. In fact, turning the system on during warm, rainy days can make your home feel much more comfortable. The only time you would need to be concerned is if the rain was severe enough to leave standing water around the unit. In that case, it would be wise to power it down.
So how do you clean your outside AC unit? The good news is that you absolutely can spray water on your air conditioner if it needs a cleaning, and nothing bad will happen. Spraying water on your AC's condenser also helps it run more efficiently.
Use Preventive Shading Over Your Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit of an AC is sturdily built to withstand extreme temperature variations. Still, a protective shade over the outdoor unit can prevent it from bird droppings, stains, and other effects of heat.
Without an AC cover, fall debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt can collect inside your unit. While these may seem harmless, over time, they block airflow and cause internal damage. Debris buildup can lead to inefficient performance and costly repairs when it's time to turn the unit back on in spring.
Air conditioners are built to withstand extreme weather
Your air conditioner's coils are also designed to handle extreme weather conditions. Since A/C units are made with first-rate materials and have a solid finish, it's usually not necessary to cover them when they're not in use.
You should never cover your outdoor air conditioning unit during the summer when it's in peak use. While some think this will help protect the unit or lead to energy savings, it will do neither.
No, you should not cover your outdoor AC unit when it's raining. You may reach for the umbrella when the rain starts to fall, but your AC unit was designed to withstand most elements of nature. The exterior case of the unit will not break down or malfunction in any way when covered in the pouring rain.
The general rule is to provide at least one foot of space on all sides of the unit, or more if you have the space. Check your owner's manual or your HVAC contractor for specific clearance instructions since your unit may require more space.
Condenser units are built to be installed outdoors and can withstand even heavy rain and winds just fine without a cover. However, you should take care to ensure that water doesn't pool around the base of the unit, as this could lead to rust or other damage.
In short, the study concludes that the potential savings that could be achieved by shading a compressor are marginal at best. Planting trees and shrubs close by a condenser may actually reduce system efficiency due to impedance of effective air movement.
Ideally, the AC unit should cool your home when the temperatures get high. However, when the outdoor temperature reaches 95 F to 100 F, the unit starts getting overworked, and this can cause problems. Your air conditioner might also start malfunctioning, as it is overworking and consuming a lot of energy.
It's important to be aware of how long air conditioners last, so you don't get the unwelcome surprise of a broken air conditioner in the peak of the summer heat. In general, air conditioners that are properly maintained can last 15 to 20 years.
The fact that sunlight also forces the condenser unit to work harder also means that it leads to increased wear and tear on the unit. This can result in more frequent repairs and also shorten the lifespan of your AC system.