The snow is falling which signals the start of winter for most. Do you have your air conditioner covered? Better question, do you have your AC unit covered properly? Maybe you don’t know the right and wrong ways to cover or the benefits. Let’s explore those questions and some appropriate options for you.
Why Should I Cover My Air Conditioner?
Serious issues can occur if leaves and dust become trapped in your AC coils. When winds and storms pick up, the debris can get caught in the sensitive fins of the condenser coil. You should clean your coils before winter and then cover the unit to prevent more dirt from accumulating.
Air conditioners were meant to be outside so a very light frost on top of the unit won’t harm it. However, you shouldn’t let inches of snow and ice accumulate on the machine since it can damage the coil fins and fan blades. And you probably won’t even know about that damage until you turn on the machine when it gets hot out again.
What happens if ice hits the air conditioning unit? Ice can fall from the gutters or corners of your roof and can damage the inside of your unit if it hits in the right place. A proper cover will stop the ice from penetrating inside.
There is a lot of moisture that occurs in the fall and winter months. It’s not always entirely possible to keep water out of your AC unit but the less moisture that gets in, the less likely it is to get mold and mildew growing inside.
How to Cover My Air Conditioning Unit
Speaking of mold and mildew, covering your AC unit too tightly especially in a non-breathable plastic can actually increase your chances for those and rust since condensation won’t be able to escape. Pests and insects can also take up residence in the unit since it’s now a protected and waterproof spot.
Here are a few tips on how to properly cover your air conditioner:
- Use a cover made of breathable material that allows air to flow.
- You can put a sheet of plywood down on top of the unit and weigh it down with rocks to keep snow off.
- Build a shelter with a slanted top so snow and ice can run off.
- Plant protective shrubs and trees around your unit but be careful to not obstruct air flow in the summer.
What Air Conditioner Cover is Best?
At SugarHouse, our AC covers are guaranteed to fit your air conditioner with corner openings for any pipes and an adjustable cinch rope around the bottom ensuring a tight fit. They are made of heavy duty canvas that prevents condensation while still remaining breathable. You don’t have to worry about the sun fading the canvas since the commercial grade fabric is fade resistant and waterproof protecting it against moisture and debris. And all our covers come with a 10 or 20 year warranty.
You can order stock covers or custom covers on our custom covers website or give us a call at 801-563-9600.
SugarHouse Ind. has served its clients in the Intermountain West since 1941. In that time, we have become Utah’s largest provider of awning, boat tops, and specialty canvas covers. After nearly 80 years, our focus is still to provide customers with the highest quality products and the best prices. We remain a family-owned company, and we remain committed to putting a personal touch into everything we do. That’s why we make every product that we offer in our 30,000 ft2 facility in Midvale, Utah.