VIDEO: Should You Cover Your AC Unit in Fall and Winter?

Covering your outdoor AC unit improperly for fall and winter could do more harm than good, trapping moisture, fostering mold, mildew and corrosion, and providing a place for woodland critters to take shelter from the cold — all resulting in damage that could keep you from cranking the cold air when warm weather comes back around. Watch the video above to learn all about this tricky HVAC issue — and be sure to like and share, and subscribe to the HomeServe YouTube channel for helpful home-maintenance how-to content weekly.

Whatever you decide, you still need to keep out debris like leaves, acorns, pine cones, grass clippings and other organic matter that could allow moisture and snow to collect — blocking drainage, fostering freezing and risking rust. Modern AC units are manufactured to endure the elements, but properly covering your unit during the colder months can help prevent problems.

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Here’s how:

• Choose a cover made of breathable — or at least breezy — material that’ll keep out crud while not impeding airflow.

• Be sure it only covers the top of the unit, stretching no more than about 6 inches down the sides.

• Don’t forget to uncover your unit before turning the AC back on the following spring to avoid overheating.

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