Central air conditioner?

[sexmeup]

I wanted to know if you should cover up the central air conditioner for the winter?
Someone told me not to cause of condensation and will make the parts rust!?
I thought you're suppose to cover it.
I check the net but getting nowhere about information.
Thanks.

 

[landscaper]

most central air units are designed for outside use and covering them can in some cases cause condensation which is a problem if it occurs.

All that said for the most part if you want to cover it cover it my neigbour and I moved in teh same time he covers his religiously I ignore mine in the winter neither of us has had a problem.

The one thing you might wnat to keep in mind is if the unit is in a location that something like ice might fall on it a peice of plywood is cheap piece of mind

 

[SkyRider]

if the unit is in a location that something like ice might fall on it a peice of plywood is cheap piece of mind

I spoke to my local AC guy (he covers his) and an AC dealer in Minnesota which also has brutal Winters. The right answer is to cover it PROPERLY.

1) Get a cover from the dealer for $75, not the $20 covers at Canadian Tire or Home Hardware which fall apart after two Winters.
Or, create your own cover using a tarp. Punch some small holes in the tarp so the unit can "breathe" or cover only 3 and not all 4 sides.

2) Top off the cover with a piece of plywood to protect the unit from snow, ice, rain, leaves and other debris. Put something heavy on top of the plywood so it doesn't blow away or fall off.

3) If you want to get really fancy, build a small "house" around the unit compete with shingled roof. This has the added advantage of protecting the unit from kids banging into it (sometimes with their bikes) and animals using it as a "bathroom".

 

[Larry_Fyne]

I guess it depends on who you ask.... I had a new unit installed a couple of years ago and I asked the same question. He said that the manufacturer (Trane) does not reccommend covering it. They make the units to withstand winters.

 

[seth gecko]

I spoke to my local AC guy (he covers his) and an AC dealer in Minnesota which also has brutal Winters. The right answer is to cover it PROPERLY.

1) Get a cover from the dealer for $75, not the $20 covers at Canadian Tire or Home Hardware which fall apart after two Winters.
Or, create your own cover using a tarp. Punch some small holes in the tarp so the unit can "breathe" or cover only 3 and not all 4 sides.

2) Top off the cover with a piece of plywood to protect the unit from snow, ice, rain, leaves and other debris. Put something heavy on top of the plywood so it doesn't blow away or fall off.

3) If you want to get really fancy, build a small "house" around the unit compete with shingled roof. This has the added advantage of protecting the unit from kids banging into it (sometimes with their bikes) and animals using it as a "bathroom".

I'm in HVACR.
Skyrider is totally correct on points 1 & 2. Point 3, I would agree with ONLY if the homeowner makes sure to remove the structure when it's A/C season. Insufficient clearances can cause more damage to the unit during operation than kids or critters.

 

[WoodPeckr]

2) Top off the cover with a piece of plywood to protect the unit from snow, ice, rain, leaves and other debris. Put something heavy on top of the plywood so it doesn't blow away or fall off.

This is all I was told to do, my neighbors do the same.
We haven't had any problems doing this the last few years.

 

[LateComer]

I guess it depends on who you ask.... I had a new unit installed a couple of years ago and I asked the same question. He said that the manufacturer (Trane) does not reccommend covering it. They make the units to withstand winters.

Good advice - I have had a Trane for the last 12 years. I never cover it up and haven't had any problems.

 

[SkyRider]

Point 3, I would agree with ONLY if the homeowner makes sure to remove the structure when it's A/C season.

Yes, I was thinking of a portable hut that can be removed in the Summer and used as a playhouse by the kids.

 

[SkyRider]

I have had a Trane for the last 12 years. I never cover it up and haven't had any problems.

My concern would a chunk of ice falling off the roof or a large piece of debris blown by the wind. Some of these Winter storms can be brutal. (Also leaves during November.)

 

[james t kirk]

I've had my Carrier for 13 years. Never covered it once and it's never been repaired once (knock on wood)

So don't cover it.

BTW, my Carrier mid efficiency furnace is a Piece of Shit. They know how to build AC units, but they suck at Furnaces. Forever breaking down.

 

[Rockslinger]

BTW, my Carrier mid efficiency furnace is a Piece of Shit. They know how to build AC units, but they suck at Furnaces.

What kind of breakdowns are you experiencing with your Carrier furnace?
Is it true that Carrier also manufacture at least one or two other brand name A/C's? I think Bryant is one.

Also, Trane is affiliated with another A/C maker. Is it American Standard?

 

[james t kirk]

Carrier Weathermaker 8000 (mid efficiency)

Piece of Fucking SHIT.

1. Flame Sesnsor regularly fouls.
2. Pilot light had to be replaced.
3. And the WORST problem is that the furnace constantly and I mena CONSTANTLY leaks condensation from the chimney flue onto the basement floor.

I've had to change the chimney liner 3 times and the flue 4 times. It always rots out. Started right from the day it was installed. The Contractor who installed it (complete with 5 year parts and labour warrantee) was West End Heating - Fred (the fat fucker). If he's still alive (I doubt it cause he was a big fat square head 13 years ago) did FUCK all. Tried to blame Carrier, blame Enbrdige, anyone but him. Called Enbridge, called Carrier, none of them will do anything for you. Had other contractors adjust the heat rise - no avail. Chimney is in very good condition.

Anyway, I've given up on the fucking piece of shit and just let it leak all over the floor (into buckets, etc.)

Never EVER buy a Carrier Furnace, or anything form West End Heating. West End is literally the Contractor from Hell. All he wants is your money and once he has your money, he tells you to fuck off if you have any complaint. 2 weeks after he installed the furnace it didn't come on. He refused to come out and look at it when it refused to light one night telling me that it was early December and that he would send someone round the next day.

Furnace is going to be replaced when I renovate hopefully in the spring.

I'm also told this furnace is prone to having the heat exchanger crack. Wouldn't doubt it. I have Co2 detectors everywhere now.

 

[Rockslinger]

I'm also told this furnace is prone to having the heat exchanger crack. Wouldn't doubt it. I have Co2 detectors everywhere now.

OMG what a horror story! My 3 year old HE furnace is American Standard,

I had a very good service experience with American Standard. My friend "the plumber" installed the new toilet and couldn't get the hole where the tank is bolted on to the bowl to stop leaking. AS sent their own plumber to my home to fix it (no charge to me). AS stands behind their products.

 

[Moraff]

They used to recommend covering AC units way back in the days of old.

When they installed mine this year the instructions were to not cover it in the winter, other than maybe a piece of plywood to protect from falling ice (it sits under the eaves). The reasons given:

1) Modern units are constructed to survive the elements.

2) A nicely covered unit provides a very nice winter home to rodents who will happily munch on your wiring while waiting out the winter.

I have asked several other people I know in the HVAC business and almost all agreed that the unit should not be covered. In fact the only one I came across that has claimed otherwise has a vested interest... he sells covers <grin>

 

[seth gecko]

They used to recommend covering AC units way back in the days of old.

When they installed mine this year the instructions were to not cover it in the winter, other than maybe a piece of plywood to protect from falling ice (it sits under the eaves). The reasons given:

1) Modern units are constructed to survive the elements.

2) A nicely covered unit provides a very nice winter home to rodents who will happily munch on your wiring while waiting out the winter.

I have asked several other people I know in the HVAC business and almost all agreed that the unit should not be covered. In fact the only one I came across that has claimed otherwise has a vested interest... he sells covers <grin>

All condensing units are built to be outside & built to withstand the elements; that is as true with 20+ year old units as with the newest ones.
If a mouse decides to make a nest in your condensing unit, he'll do it...cover or not. The electrical component box is fairly water-tight, and that's where the mouse will nest in (gets in through the holes the wires are routed). Either that or under the compressor jacket (if your unit has one).
Cover it or not is your choice, but what Skyrider said.."The right answer is to cover it PROPERLY" ....is correct. You can do more harm to the unit by trying to "protect" it than would otherwise happen.