If your home has a central air conditioning unit, you would do well to protect it during wintertime. You may not think to do that, assuming that the unit is meant to be outside so it can manage year-round exposure to the elements, but this can be a mistake. That air conditioner can suffer a lot of damage when exposed to autumn and winter weather; first note some of the potential damage your unit might face, and then some suggestions for how to protect it during the off-season.

Why you should cover and protect the unit

During the autumn and winter, leaves and twigs blow against the unit and may make their way inside. They then get caught in the motor or gears of the fan and cause damage when you switch the unit back on next summer. Falling icicles can also dent the top of the unit and damage the fan blades inside. Dripping water from the home's gutters or overhanging tree branches can get into the unit and either damage the electrical connections or then freeze and expand, also causing damage. Accumulating snow can damage the fins or vents around the unit; if these should get bent out of position, this can block off air circulation so that the motor overheats. For all these reasons, you need to cover the unit during the off-season and keep it protected.

Basic protection

To keep water and icicles off the top of the unit, you might put a sheet of plywood over its top and keep it secure with some heavy rocks or bricks. You can also plant shrubs on either side of the unit, to help protect it from blowing snow, leaves, twigs, and other debris; remember to allow room for the shrubs to grow so they don't scratch the unit. If you have the tools, you can also build a makeshift shelter with plywood that fits over the unit; be sure it doesn't fit snugly against the unit, as air needs to circulate to help dry any condensation that forms during wintertime.

Store-bought protection

Never use plastic wrap or a nylon tarp of any sort on the air conditioner; as mentioned above, air needs to circulate around the unit to dry condensation during wintertime. A canvas or cloth unit with a loose weave can be draped lightly around the unit; don't use any type of banding to hold it snug, although you might put bricks on the bottom edge of the cloth to hold it in place. A wire cage that is meant to sit over the unit can also protect it from icicles and other damaging debris.

For more information and ideas for protecting your air conditioner, contact a service company, such as ACSIS Airconditioning Warehouse.