covering outdoor AC unit for winter

[mjeff87]

My HVAC service company just did their fall heating/HVAC inspection and cleaning, and for the first time in 9 years recommended that I install a cover on my outside AC unit for over the winter. Is this a good idea or not?

I've noticed that they have started trying up "upsell" things over the last couple years, some of which I agreed with and some I see as just a quick money grab (they are an outstanding company otherwise....they are the original installers of my equipment when the house was built 10 years ago).

I'm in Richmond, VA, for what it's worth. We don't get much snow here, but when we do it's usually a huge storm event (like 10-15" at a time). I've never covered it, and keep the outside cabinet cleaned and waxed, and keep the coils clean. The only problem we've ever had was one bad start capacitor about 5 years ago (I keep a spare on on hand now JIC). If it's worth it, I'll buy a cover and cover it, but I've heard/read both pro's and con's to doing this and am not sure which way to go.
Thanks,

Jeff

 

[lilredex]

My unit is wall mounted and I cover it every year to keep out leaves and other junk blowing around. I made the cover from sewing two canvas Generac generator covers together, that Princess Auto had in their junk bin.

That was about ten years ago, and I think it is a wise move.

I see others using a plastic type cover which I think is a questionable move.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't know that it will do anything other than provide a dry place for critters to live. I've never covered mine, I just clean out any leaves in the spring and it's ready to go. There's been no signs of corrosion or deterioration and it's 13 years old.

 

[Jim greengo]

I normally tell people not to cover outside units,good way to trap moisture in places where it cant dry out .

 

[gungatim]

mine has been uncovered for >22yrs now...I just blow it out in the spring.

 

[mjeff87]

That's kind of where I am at on it too. Unit is 10 years old and in fine shape. I'm sure the HVAC company would gladly sell me a cover for a nominal fee (although the tech didn't come outright and say that).

 

[jobo1004]

From what I've seen the consensus seems to be that if you're going to cover it at all, only cover the top. That will help keep leaves and debris out, but still allow for airflow to dry out any moisture that may accumulate.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I normally tell people not to cover outside units,good way to trap moisture in places where it cant dry out .

X2. If really you want to cover it, just lay a piece of plywood on the top to keep leaves out.

Tommy

 

[Jeepster04]

Covering the top half certainly isnt a bad idea. Like others have said, I wouldnt cover it down to the ground.

 

[BillK]

Jeff,
You are in the same basic climate zone as I am, a little further south but not by much. I have been in my house for 41 years and have never covered my outside unit. I can bet money that there will be a couple of days almost every month except maybe Jan & Feb that the AC will be run. There have been times in those months that mine has been on. I cannot imagine having to run out and uncover it. The original unit from when the house was built was about 22 years old when we replaced it and it was still working fine. We replaced it because they ran gas up our street and we switched the furnace and water heater so figured we might as well replace the outside unit too. The present unit is almost 20 years old and still running fine.

I just dont see a reason to cover it. The unit is designed to be outside anyway. Why wouldnt you cover it year round if it was bad for it ?

 

[Jeepster04]

Im surprised that you need to use the ac so often. Your house must get a lot of sun.

Im in east central ky and my ac is typically off oct-may. My house doesnt get much sun though.

 

[Bretny]

You really wax the cabinet?

 

[yatg]

If you cover it, remember to take it off. A couple of years ago my wife was complaining that the heat pump was making a lot of noise when it was running. A little investigation found that the neighbors heat pump was covered and running and making some really awful sounds. Even after she took the cover off, it still didn't sound good.

 

[mjeff87]

I just dont see a reason to cover it. The unit is designed to be outside anyway. Why wouldnt you cover it year round if it was bad for it ?

Thanks Bill. I think I'm just going to leave it as is. It's been fine so far.

 

[D45]

I have a cover that leaves the bottom 3"-4" open for ventilation

The top of the cover has a small curved vent stack to help the inside breathe and keep air flow moving

 

[99LeCouch]

X2. If really you want to cover it, just lay a piece of plywood on the top to keep leaves out.

Tommy

This is what I've done since moving into our house. The condenser can get some large drifts on it. Figure it's likely better not to deal with ice thawing and refreezing next to the compressor.

 

[dave*99]

If you cover it, remember to take it off. A couple of years ago my wife was complaining that the heat pump was making a lot of noise when it was running. A little investigation found that the neighbors heat pump was covered and running and making some really awful sounds. Even after she took the cover off, it still didn't sound good.

If you cover it, it's best to pull the disconnect. That avoids the ill effects of running the unit while covered.

 

[zmotorsports]

I guess I'm the oddity here as I religiously cover mine. I covered mine at my last place each year after blowing out my sprinkler system and now coming up on the third winter at our new place I bought a cover immediately and just covered it after blowing the sprinkler system out. The bottom does stay exposed by a couple of inches for air flow but it keeps debris out.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

I have a piece of roofing steel cut to fit over the top to keep stuff out. I don't cover the sides.

 

[finn]

Always cover mine, excep for the one mini split we use to heat the basement, of course. That one is under a raised deck.

The other two disappear under the snow banks by early January and don’t reappear until late March. Covering them with a blue tarp works for me.

 

[wrenchguy]

i cover the top of same 1 for 32 years with a piece of sheetmetal and 3 bricks. no probs.