Keeping your air conditioner’s outdoor unit protected during the Southwest Ohio winter is pretty simple. You don’t want to wrap your condenser in plastic, because that traps moisture on the inside, and will cause the parts to rust. This can also encourage rodents to use your air conditioner as a nest. While some HVAC contractors don’t recommend any winter cover for your outdoor condensing unit, most will suggest some sort of cover, as long as it’s not likely to trap moisture inside.
As part of your pre-season air conditioner maintenance, place a piece of weighted plywood over the top of the unit. This will prevent leaves and other debris from getting into the condenser. This also will also help protect the unit against falling icicles and other hazards.
Another strategy is to purchase a specially made air conditioner cover. These are vented to allow moisture to escape, while protecting the unit from the snow. You can also get a mesh cover to keep leaves, twigs and sticks out of the unit.
Before covering your condenser as part of air conditioner maintenance, you should always consult your HVAC contractor to see what method they recommend, if any at all. They can also set up an appointment to perform professional air conditioner maintenance.
For more expert advice on air conditioners or other home comfort related questions about your Dayton area home, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We have been proudly serving the Dayton and Springfield areas for more than 30 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioner maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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