Does an Air Conditioner Need to Be Covered in the Winter?
Air conditioners keep your home cool in the summer, but in the winter frigid temperatures are hardly desirable. If you can't remove your air conditioner unit for the winter, there's always the option of covering it during the colder months -- but only if you really need to perform the chore for best results for your home. Consider several conditions before slapping a cover on your air conditioner in wintertime. Does this Spark an idea?
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Central Air Conditioners
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Central air conditioners have a base unit outside of the house. This is usually a large compressor located near the walls of the home. Since this compressor does not provide a direct vent into the house like a wall-mounted air conditioner, winter winds and drafts do not enter the home through this system. It is not necessary to cover this type of air conditioner in the winter, though a cover is useful for keeping out debris. Some contractors specifically advise against covering a central air conditioning unit in the winter, as the covered unit makes an ideal winter home for local wildlife.
Window and Wall Air Conditioners
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Smaller air conditioners may be able to be removed during the winter, eliminating the need for an air conditioner cover entirely. If this is not possible, covering these units should be considered. Window and wall air conditioners provide a direct route for Arctic winter air to come into your home, so for reasons of energy efficiency, these types of air conditioners should be covered during the winter months. Covers can be placed on both the inner and the outer portions of the unit to prevent drafts and heat leaks.
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Types of Covers
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Winter covers for air conditioners come in many varieties. Plain mesh covers can be used on central air conditioning units to keep debris from falling into the unit while discouraging wildlife from taking up residence. Plastic covers prevent drafts from entering the home, while insulated covers prevent heat from escaping and increase energy efficiency over the winter.
Considerations
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If you can, removing and storing your air conditioner during the winter months is the most energy efficient option. If you cannot remove the air conditioner, inspect the seals around the frame before adding a cover to increase energy efficiency and prevent heat leaks. When removing winter covers, check for any damage that can indicate a small animal has taken up winter residence inside your air conditioner.
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