If water gets into the air ducts, it won't evaporate or pass through correctly. Your indoor air quality decreases if you have air ducts coated with dirt and grime.ĭirt acts as a sponge. Dirty air ducts can make allergies and asthma worsen. While a more minor concern, if your air conditioner has low refrigerant, the compressor will overwork, damaging other parts of the HVAC system.įull air conditioner covers prevent anything from getting inside your AC unit.ĭirt and dust getting into your AC unit can lead to dirty air ducts, condenser coils, and fans. Prolonged exposure can even lead to respiratory damage, including chronic bronchitis and pulmonary disease.

People exposed to Freon will experience skin dryness and irritation. Refrigerant releases harmful chemicals that cause ozone layer depletion and soil damage. In turn, this leads to tiny holes in the tubing for refrigerant to escape.įreon leaks are dangerous not just to your AC unit, but to the environment and people. A build-up of this acid on the copper tubing can eventually cause corrosion.

Wet leaves and grass piled in the bottom of your air conditioner will start to decay, which produces formic acid. But problems arise when leaves and debris start to build up. A small amount of debris won't cause much damage. When you turn your AC back on in spring, air won't be flowing the way it should, and you may notice your home isn't cooling as well as it used to.ĭue to needing airflow when running, air conditioners are not designed to keep out leaves, seeds, rocks, and grass. On top of that, the water could refreeze around the condenser coils, slowly weakening them.įreezing rain and snow will also cause ice to form on the air conditioner fins, pushing the fans out of place. Depending on how old your air conditioner is and what metals it's made of, water could cause rust and corrosion. If temperatures rise above freezing, the snow will melt into the interior of your air conditioner. Snow piling up on top of the unit isn't the problem - the melting is. What Dangers Does My Air Conditioner Face? Snow and RainĬold winter weather causes the most damage to air conditioning units.

Cost Savings of Covering Your Air Conditioner.What Should I Look for When Purchasing an Air Conditioner Cover?.What Are the Risks of Covering My Air Conditioner?.Do I Need to Cover My Window Air Conditioner?.Do I Need to Cover My Air Conditioner in the Summer?.What Dangers Does My Air Conditioner Face?.Use the menu below to jump to the category that best answers the questions you have! In this article, we'll review the reasons you may want to cover your air conditioner as well as the potential risks. With outdoor AC replacement costing anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000, having a cover for when inclement weather hits can be a life (or rather, air conditioner) saver. An efficient AC unit means your electric bill is lower, and you save money on maintenance and eventual replacement. The key reason to cover your air conditioner is to keep it efficient. Air Conditioner Covers aren't necessary for mild climates, but are still useful to keep out stray leaves, dirt, rocks, grass, and other debris. If you live in an area that tends to have extreme weather, such as blizzards and hailstorms, covering your outdoor air conditioner will help prolong its life and save you from making expensive repairs. With the weather more unpredictable than ever, you should know both sides of the argument to make an informed decision. The others tend to take a 'better safe than sorry' approach to AC protection and focus on maintaining air conditioner efficiency. One side argues that AC units are built to be outside and don't need any extra protection and claim that covering your unit is more harmful than helpful. In the world of air conditioners, the argument of covering your unit never ends.

In wall ac cover