What To Know Before Covering Up Your AC Unit In The Winter

Ahead of winter, many people prepare their homes for cold weather by insulating their windows, cleaning out gutters, and more. When you turn your gaze to outdoor prep, your external air conditioning unit might give you pause. What, exactly, do you do with that thing for winter? While you may be tempted to cover up your air conditioner, it's actually less helpful than you may think. 

Many people consider covering their AC with items like tarps in the winter to prevent damage from snow when it melts. You don't want water to come into contact with vital parts of your AC like its coils, right? These concerns are understandable, but your AC is designed to be outside all year round. External units are made from metals that can withstand extreme weather, including freezing temperatures, and many include built-in drainage to handle snow melt. 

Covering your AC can actually cause more problems than it solves, as it prevents your machine from being able to breathe. This allows moisture to accumulate, which can contribute to mold or mildew. If not addressed, both of these can cause respiratory illness. You may also find damage to metal parts or electrical components because of the humidity. Additionally, covering your unit may inadvertently create a suitable winter home for rodents, which can lead to further problems since they may chew on wires, rendering your unit nonfunctioning.

There is one time of year when it's recommended to cover your air conditioner: fall. That's because leaves, sticks, nuts, and other debris during this season can get stuck inside your AC. These clogs will cause issues down the line. Although you can avoid major problems by cleaning your unit before you turn it on again, covering it can still be handy.

When choosing a cover, make sure to pick one that is made from breathable material, like mesh. It also doesn't need to cover your whole unit. Instead, ensure that it falls only about 6 inches down the sides. For example, the MODERN WAVE Central Air Conditioner Cover for $22.99 or Xeeol's Central Air Conditioner Cover for $19.98 are both solid options. You can check your AC for an exact measurement, but generally, 32 inches by 32 inches will fit most external units. 

To protect the sides of your unit, you can also upcycle wooden pallets as a fence for your AC. This fence is not only great for improving your aesthetics but also useful to keep the area around your unit free of debris like leaves. Using a fence design can help do so while still ensuring that your AC has room to properly breathe and drain.

Although you don't need to worry about covering your AC for winter, there are some steps to take to properly care for your outdoor AC unit in cold weather, such as cleaning it. Generally, you should clean your AC at least twice a year — before you shut it off in the fall and when you turn it back on again in the spring. This will help mitigate any issues from dust or debris inside the unit and ensure your AC runs efficiently.

Properly cleaning your AC involves caring for both the internal and the external components. To do so, it may be best to hire professionals who are used to these machines. With proper research, though, you can successfully clean your AC unit by yourself. Before you attempt to do so, make sure you turn off your unit as a basic safety measure, and wear protective gear, like cut-resistant gloves and goggles.

Before winter, you can also check the foam insulation on your pipes and wiring. If there is none, add it to protect them from cracking or bursting. This is an easy task to take on yourself, as all you need to do is purchase foam pipe covers and apply them with duct tape. And if you're concerned about damage from heavier materials like ice in the winter, some people recommend setting a thin piece of plywood on top of the unit to protect the blades while still leaving the bottom and sides clear.