With fall at its peak and the leaves coming off the trees in droves, it is common for many homeowners to think about covering your air conditioner to protect it from debris. However, a lot more can be said about why putting a cover on your air conditioner is not the best thing for your unit. Below, we consider some of these keys points in an effort to help our customers and potential customers alike best protect their air conditioning units.
To learn more about what you should and should not be doing to care for your HVAC system, connect with us today to schedule your regular fall HVAC system maintenance. Galmiche & Sons has been providing St. Louis with top-quality heating & air conditioning care for many years, and we look forward to doing the same for you!
The Consequences of Covering Your Air Conditioner
While you undoubtedly mean well when you cover your air conditioner, the reality is that doing so will cause greater problems than some fall-weather debris could. Most of the drawbacks of covering your air conditioner when it is not in use are related to trapped moisture, such as:
- Rust and corrosion – Trapped moisture in the unit can cause the pieces inside the air conditioning unit to become rusted and corroded, leading to breakdown.
- Mold growth – The same trapped moisture from covering your air conditioner is also a breeding ground for mold growth, which means the next time you go to use your air conditioner, you will be inadvertently bringing mold-laden air inside your home.
- Electrical wiring and circuit board damage – The moisture stuck inside from covering your air conditioner can potentially damage the electric parts inside, meaning parts will need to be repaired or replaced when you try to turn your furnace back on.
- Freezing – During the cold months, trapped moisture can mean frozen parts such as the coils, leading to damage over the long term.
An additional concern of covering your air conditioner is that it provides shelter for rodents seeking warmth from the inclement weather. These creatures will chew up wires to create nest bedding, turning your air conditioning unit into a fire hazard.
Keep Your Air Conditioner Maintained & Ready for the Spring
In addition to avoiding covering your air conditioner, the best thing you can do to protect your unit is to make sure you schedule regular maintenance. Routine maintenance can extend the life of your air conditioning unit, and keep it operating efficiently throughout its life. In St. Louis, if you do not already have a professional HVAC service company looking after your system, get in touch with Galmiche & Sons to schedule your annual maintenance check up today.
Contact Galmiche & Sons to Learn More About Air Conditioner Maintenance
If you would like more information about how to best prepare your air conditioner for the fall, to schedule air conditioner servicing, or for any of your other HVAC maintenance needs, contact Galmiche & Sons today. We have been providing St. Louis with high-quality heating & air conditioning for many years. We look forward to helping you with all your HVAC needs, so give us a call today at 314-993-1110!
