Why Should I Cover My AC Unit in the Summer?

Given that summers in New Jersey seem to get hotter and hotter every year, it stands to reason that you’d want to keep your air conditioner safe and functional. Therefore, many homeowners may be wondering, “Should I cover my AC unit in the summer?”

It’s a heavily debated topic among professionals in the HVAC community. Here at Gladiator Services, we thought we’d review some of the positives and negatives of covering AC units. We have the answers for you to make the best decisions about your HVAC setup. Air conditioning repair services in Franklin Lakes by Gladiator Services are your best bet for maintaining your AC.

Problems With AC Covers

While it is a good idea to cover your air conditioner during the winter and autumn months, it may not be the best thing for your AC unit during the summer. In simplest terms, your air conditioner needs to breathe. If you cover the ventilation of the unit during the summer when you’re using it the most, it’s likely going to overheat, resulting in an expensive repair or replacement.

Reasons Not To Cover AC Unit in the Summer

• Moisture: The inside of an air conditioner creates a lot of moisture. Covering your AC unit gives moisture nowhere to go. Trapping moisture in your AC unit can harm the electrical parts inside.

Living close to the shoreline can be more of a problem due to the salt in the air. Trapping salt in your AC unit can cause corrosion to the metal and wiring.

• Debris: You may think that covering your AC unit will prevent debris from getting into it, but you can’t cover it all the time. You should never run your AC unit with a full cover on it.

The unit is bound to collect dirt and debris while it’s operating. Any outdoor AC unit will have grooves in it to allow airflow. The airflow pushes out dirt and debris unless the unit has a full cover.

• Overheating: The number one reason not to cover your AC unit in the summer is overheating. You may think you’re protecting your air conditioner, but you’re risking some major damage.

Components like condenser coils can suffer severe damage if the unit overheats. An open/free-standing air conditioner will run more efficiently.

The Positives of AC Covers

The outdoor air conditioner’s design allows it to handle all types of weather and environments. Determining whether to cover your AC unit in the summer is a matter of perspective. There are some benefits to covering your AC unit if you do it the right way. 

Covering your AC unit during the winter is fine. If you want to cover your AC unit in the summer, you shouldn’t use a full cover unless it’s turned off. It’s best to clean it with a garden hose and let it dry out for a day before doing so.

Best Ways To Cover an AC Unit in the Summer

• Mesh AC cover: A mesh AC cover is a good option for those who feel they need some sort of cover on the unit. These types of covers are inexpensive and easy to apply.

The mesh allows for perfect airflow, so there’s no concern about overheating. The mesh also keeps out yard debris like twigs and leaves, which is good for the maintenance of the unit.

• Plywood: Some people place a piece of plywood on the outdoor AC unit. This leaves the sides open for free airflow while preventing debris from entering the top.

This may not be the best aesthetic choice, but it does help in preventing damage to the AC unit.

• Moisture liner: If you’re going with a standard AC cover, look for one with a moisture liner. With most covers, the moisture has nowhere to go. This can lead to issues with mold spores and corrosion in the interior components.

An AC cover with a moisture liner protects the unit and keeps out debris while absorbing problematic moisture to create the best indoor air quality.

Should I Shade My AC Unit?

One of the main arguments as to why it’s good to cover your outdoor AC unit is to block sunlight from it. The thought is that the unit will have more difficulty producing cooler air if the sun’s rays constantly shine on your AC unit.

While studies on the truth of this claim are conflicting, some experts say that shading your AC unit can improve its efficiency by up to ten percent. If this is true, it could save you a decent amount of money.

Some people choose to build an awning over their outdoor AC unit for shade. The problem with this is that the sun moves in the sky throughout the day, and one awning may not be able to handle that. For this reason, it’s best to use trees and plants to create shade for your AC unit.

Planting a few trees and bushes around your AC unit will provide more shade not only to the air conditioner but also to the surrounding area. This means that even the air around the unit will be cool, which should increase the air conditioner’s efficiency.

Be mindful when planting around your air conditioner. Consider what kind of trees you’re planting and how they will hang over the AC unit. You don’t want foliage falling into the unit or tree limbs to come down on it. This could result in some major damage.

Ensure that any bushes or shrubs you plant near your AC unit aren’t blocking airflow and creating excessive moisture. Otherwise, you may end up doing more harm than good.

Conclusion

The question “Should I cover my AC unit in the summer?” has no definitive answer. It depends on your environment and the kind of cover you’re going to use. Learn about how to get your AC ready before the summer here, then contact Gladiator services at 201-903-9784 for all your HVAC concerns in the North Jersey area!