Air Check Mechanical Service Shares AC Maintenance Tips For Winter

Air Check Mechanical Service, an HVAC company based out of Houston, Texas, recently published a new blog post: "Covering Your Air Conditioner in the Winter — Is it Necessary?" Locally owned-and-operated, the family-run HVAC contractor has been serving both residential and commercial customers in South Houston, TX 17 years.

In the blog post, which can be found on their website, the company notes that it is common for most households in the US to have some type of air conditioning — nearly 85% of people across the country utilize such systems. It then follows that the vast majority (if not all) of these users will want to winterize their HVAC systems to ensure that their safety and comfort is not interrupted due to a sudden breakdown in the middle of the winter months. At the same time, this process has the added bonus of reducing the likelihood of large energy bills.

According to Air Check Mechanical Service, one of the most common questions that air conditioning owners often have is whether or not it is a good idea to just leave their AC exterior unit as it is in the colder seasons. There is a concern as to whether it would be a better idea to get the top of these units covered to somehow protect them from the elements.

Answering that question, Air Check Mechanical Service writes that it is really not important. Most modern AC units have been designed with awareness of the rather harsh elements that these exterior units have to get exposed to and endure. As such, pretty much all modern AC units are designed to withstand the unforgiving weather outside, rain or shine, no matter the time of the year. This means that owners of AC units need not concern themselves with such extraordinary measures to protect their AC.

In addition, if it is located somewhere where the winters are generally milder, an AC unit is more likely to die from the usual wear and tear and simple age long before the weather has any effect on it (or more specifically on its exterior unit). The company goes a step further to advise AC owners against making such modifications to their units without the express oversight of a professional. This is due to the fact that this may cause more harm than good when the system’s usual function is impeded.

External air conditioning units are designed to be exposed to the air. When the unit is covered, it blocks the airflow. This can lead to mold growths developing along the evaporator coil. Not only will this lead to the reduced efficiency of the evaporator coil, it can also increase the potential of mold spores getting blown straight into the indoor space and causing health and safety concerns. It may also cause corrosion, which can lead to leaking AC units.

Further, covering the exterior AC increases humidity and leads to moisture getting trapped inside the system. This can cause rusting and corrosion in the long run. In addition, there is an increased risk of unit failure since the AC unit is made up of a variety of electrical wiring, wiring connections and potentially some circuit boards as well, all of which do not play well with moisture.

Finally, a covered AC unit can prove to be a shelter for all kinds of pests, such as stray cats, birds, rodents and so on. Aside from the fact that this can pose a health risk, both to the property owner and the animal, there is also the possibility of them chewing through the wires, taking apart the Freon lines or even using the unit as a nest. More information regarding this subject can be found in the company’s full blog post.

Learn more about Air Check Mechanical Service, their history in the field and their wide-ranging services on their website. Those interested may reach out to Donald Compton via email or phone to follow up on any further inquiries. Additionally, social media users may follow Air Check Mechanical Service on Facebook in order to stay abreast of their latest activities, announcements and offers.