Covering the AC unit in wintertime- East Wenatchee Home Inspection

Many homeowners will cover their AC unit during winter to protect them from the elements. I find this time to time during my home inspection and then I had a thought, do they really need to be covered or should they?

At first glance this may be a good thought. But think again.

Most manufactures do not state whether you should or should not cover them but here is a little information from Rheem and Lennox.

Rheem FAQ section

Frequently Asked Questions

Should outdoor units be covered in winter?

 
No. Rheem heat pumps operate year-round and should never be covered. Similarly, air conditioners that operate seasonally are built to withstand an outdoor environment and should not be covered.

Lennox Care and Maintenance

Should I cover my outdoor unit in the fall and winter? | Lennox Residential

Should I cover my outdoor unit in the fall and winter?

Covering the unit is not necessary, especially if you have a heat pump that runs all year long. In fact, covering an entire unit may actually trap moisture. If you're concerned about leaves and debris getting inside the housing, short covers are available as an optional accessory and may be purchased through your local Lennox dealer.

Most people acknowledge if you to cover the unit place plywood or like material that just covers the top of the unit.  You will need to weight it down with some brick or such. This will help keep debris out but not trap any moisture in. This may be less expensive than those fancy covers you can buy.
 

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

Albert Einstein

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
      
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