A question we get from homeowners is, “Should I cover my air conditioner in the winter?” You’ve probably seen air conditioner covers that are sold at most hardware stores and have wondered if it’s something you need to add to your list of tasks to complete for air conditioner maintenance in Upper St. Clair in the fall.
AC covers are designed to shield outdoor units from weather elements during the fall and winter when they’re inactive. They come in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials, such as mesh, top-only covers, insulated, and water-resistant types. Each style aims to keep out debris such as rocks, grass, leaves, hail, ice, and snow that could damage the unit.
While homeowners in other parts of the country would consider our current weather chilly, around here we know it’s just a matter of time before we need our cooling systems to work full force. When that time comes, are you ready?
What exactly do we mean by a “summer-ready air conditioner,” anyway? Well, we mean an air conditioner that has been properly maintained. Sure, there are some basic maintenance tasks you can do on your own. This includes changing or cleaning the air filter in your air conditioner every 1-3 months during periods of use. It also includes making sure your vents and outdoor unit are unobstructed to allow for proper airflow.
Soon enough, you can expect to start using your air conditioner all the time. The heat and humidity will not be tolerable for very long unless you are relaxing at the lake with a cold beverage in hand—or spending time indoors with the air conditioner. If your AC system breaks down on a hot day, you’re in trouble.