When summer'southward over and fall nights roll into town, off goes the A/C and on goes the rut. Autumn'south a great time to maintain home systems, and outdoor A/C units tend to be one of those workhorses that some homeowners overlook as they transition into their reliance on heating systems.

I of the most-asked questions from homeowners with hardworking A/C units is: When the flavor's over, should I cover it for protection?

Modernistic outdoor A/C systems are built very well and tested to ensure that they will hold upwards in extreme circumstances, every bit demonstrated below. The condenser (the big box that sits outside) is outfitted with a durable finish to withstand snow, rain and the heat of the sun. The mechanics and coils within the box are well-designed to hold up to extreme heat and cold, as well. The quality of the materials and the production's finish are a large reason that information technology's typically unnecessary to embrace the A/C unit in the off-season.

The most of import thing that whatsoever homeowner tin can do to winterize the system is check the product for leaves, pine needles, branches, animal nests and other build-up. These items can cause damage and affect the unit'southward ability to perform well over time.

Your geography and the positioning of your outdoor A/C condenser may be more likely to impact whether or not (or to what degree) you cover the unit during the winter.

In the n (where A/C might but be used for 4-6 months of the year), one of the reasons you might be advised to cover your A/C unit after summer is to protect it from the weight of falling leaves, and from impending snowfall and water ice build-upward. Though the units are certainly tested to withstand icy conditions, excessive snow and ice can exist damaging to the coils over time. Ane matter to keep in mind is that any type of plastic or airflow-restrictive covering will actually promote rusting and internal wet harm, and therefore should never be used. (Also, those cozy, h2o-tight covers may encourage animals to make their home inside you lot're A/C unit, which y'all definitely want to avoid.) Tim Storm, Senior Product Manager at Trane, suggests that "information technology doesn't hurt to cover up the unit if it's not used during the winter months, as long every bit the cover or cloth tin can exhale and does non lock in moisture, which could be detrimental to the finish and components."

Another solution that's an culling to a breathable wrap is an accessory that attaches to the top of the unit of measurement to create a barrier against droppings, improve airflow and aid redirect water. Check with your production's manufacturer to see if there is an all-weather protective attachment for your A/C unit of measurement.

If your habitation utilizes window A/C units during the summertime months, it's best to remove them from the windows when the conditions turns cold. This will help prevent drafts effectually the appliance and will also help the unit of measurement last longer, as they are not intended to be left in place year-circular. Never cover them with plastic, as information technology will trap moisture and contribute to mold growth when the product is non in use.

Wall-mounted units, which are more hard to remove during the autumn and wintertime, can too exist covered with a breathable textile that will help alleviate drafts without collecting moisture.

Photos: Christopher Shane/Styling: Elizabeth Demos