Central air conditioner covers are a great way to protect a pretty heavy investment in your house. If you just spent $3000 and up on a central air conditioner then a XXXX investment in a cover to make sure it is protected from the elements is a smart decision.
Some of the higher end central air conditioning units come with protective paints and covers as soon as you purchase them but if that is not the case with your unit then here is some information that will help you pick out your own when you go shopping for central air conditioner covers and pick one out to protect your unit.
When you go shopping for central air conditioner covers you are looking for something solid enough to keep out the leaves, dust and air debris that can sap your air conditioners efficiency.
Your cover should be waterproof to keep out moisture that could damage the unit. In areas where you will get all four seasons, central air conditioner covers are even more important as it will sit there for long periods of time without running. In those warm areas that get large amounts of rain and humidity seasonally the waterproofing is the main concern. A good material to look for is PVC because it’s natural properties are tuff and waterproof. PVC is tuff to poke a hole through and stands up to tearing really well.
To keep your air conditioner cover on the unit, a form fitting style is very helpful. It will hug the unit and be less likely to be pulled off by the winds. Which is an important consideration depending on the area you live in and the location of the instal. Like if it’s hard to get on your roof, finding your blown off central air cover and then climbing up there to put it back on. As a side note, the tighter the fit, the less likely you’ll have little animals in there that think you just built them a new home.
Now on the flip side, waterproof central air conditioner covers may keep the water out but they also keep condensation in if they have no breathing capabilities. Condensation that is kept in can lead to rust. Some suggest that partial covers are a good compromise. While a full tight cover can keep the bugs out from nesting, if there is a small entrance then it just makes it a perfect nest. You’ll not just want to consider rust because some paints can elevate most of that risk but also think about mildew and mold.
It all depends on the amount of maintenance you can provide. So the ultimate solution depends on your situation.
Considerations When Shopping For Central Air Conditioner Covers
Lining – If you will be removing the cover frequently, you may want to consider air conditioner covers that are felt lined or lined with something soft on the inside to reduce scratching.
Cut – does your central air conditioning unit have any protrusions? If there is side feed power cable and no cut in the cover, then you will have difficulty pulling the cover down all the way.
Elastic – Some central air conditioner covers come with weak bottom elastics on the bottom. Needless to say that a weak elastic will not hold the cover tightly and may allow the cover to blow off or slide up over time. To beef up the holding power, some covers will not only have a strong elastic but velcro straps as well.