Should I cover my outdoor unit in the fall and winter? We are quickly approaching fall and winter months so in this session of "Ask The Expert" we would like to cover one of our fall frequently asked questionsTo Cover or Not to CoverCovering your outdoor unit during the winter has been a “heated debate” in the HVAC field for years now.  There are pros and cons to both sides and each contractor will recommend something different. Here we will explain both sides and then we will give you our final recommendation.Pros to covering your air conditioner:* Keeps your air conditioner coils a little cleaner so it may run a little more efficiently when you use it again.* Prevents heavy debris like sticks, branches and other yard waste from blowing into your AC unit.* Helps prevent water from directly resting on your coils and freezing, which could be damaging.Cons to covering your air conditioner:* Covering an entire unit may actually trap moisture by creating a high humidity environment as the sun beats down on the cover.  

Inside this moist environment is your electrical windings, wiring connections, and in some cases circuit boards.  None of these items do well in the moisture.* During the winter months the temperatures cause small animals to find a warm place to nest away from the elements.  Covers provide a very tempting spot for these animals to call home.  Small animals can be detrimental to your unit by chewing the wiring harness for their bedding.  This can lead to a very expensive fix for you in the spring.* Most AC manufacturers don’t specifically recommend covering the outside unit.Our recommendation is that covering the unit is not necessary. If you do still want to cover your unit to keep out debris we have found that a simple piece of plywood across the top is a perfect fit.  It is inexpensive, will keep out most debris, and leaves the sides open to keep moisture and animals out. If you do insist on covering the unit there are short covers available which will work similarly to the plywood but will cost you a little bit more.

If you would like to ask a question to the experts please respond below. More from Brookfield Patch Daily Newsletter - The latest Brookfield news delivered to your inbox every morning Breaking News Alerts - Real-time updates on breaking stories in BrookfieldTado adds mobile app control to your remote controllable AC unit If you own an in-window, wall hanging or portable air conditioning unit, it is probably controlled with a handheld remote. But Gadgeteer worthy, no. You can change that with the tado° Smart AC Control which gives your semi-dumb AC unit IoT (Internet of Things) super powers that are IFTTT and Amazon Echo compatible. Tado is a wall mounted or table top touch sensitive control unit that connects to your AC unit and your mobile phone. From your phone, you can view the current temperature and humidity level and turn the AC on or off even if you aren’t home. Tado can also use your geolocation to automatically turn the AC off when you leave the house and back on again when you’re on your way home.

and order one for $179 from Amazon. Please share this post: Next post: Mpow Cheetah Bluetooth 4.1 wireless headphones review Previous post: Cassia Hub is a router for your Bluetooth gadgetsamana window ac unitsHelp keep your home cool in warm summer months with an easy-to-use air conditioner. slim jim heating cooling unitWhether you choose a portable, built-in, or window unit, it's important to select the proper size for the space you would like to cool. cost of lennox ac unitIn this guide, you will learn which unit set-up and size will best meet your needs, as well as other features to consider before making a purchase. Location in which the air conditioner will be installedHow the air conditioner will be installedWhether you can install it by yourself or will need professional installationThe size of the room or rooms that need to be cooled​ Whether it's best to leave your air conditioner set at a cool temperature while you leave the house, or whether to let the temp drop and then run the air conditioner non-stop to catch up when you get home (or beforehand

, if you can program it). There's a lot of debate about this.The right answer is to turn it off, for two reasons:1. ACs run most efficiently when running for a long time. The starting and stopping of the compressor to maintain a constant temperature is very power inefficient.2.The greater the temperature difference between the inside of the house and the outside, the faster the thermal loss. So if your house is 70 degrees and the outside is 90 degress, your house will warm up much faster than if the house is 80. So leaving the AC set to 70 degrees while gone means that it's working less efficiently, using more power, and the room is losing cool air much faster, increasing the total amount of heat it needs to remove. Window Air Conditioners One of the most popular methods of cooling a room, window air conditioning units, can be installed in single- or double-hung windows. Almost all window air conditioners must vent to the outside of the home. Many units come with accordion side panels that allow for a secure fit and added privacy.

ProsEasy to install, remove, and storeAffordableUnits that both heat and cool are available for year-round use ConsUnit obscures the view outside from the window where it is installed Portable Air Conditioners Portable air conditioners, or freestanding units, are most often used to cool a specific area or room. They do not require permanent installation and many are equipped with wheels for easy maneuverability. Portable units have a standard window venting kit for the exhaust hose, much like a clothes dryer. With portable air conditioners, cool air will be pushed into your room while hot air is blasting will be out of the other side (and more hot air than cold), which needs to be vented outside via a window. It is worth stressing, is that you cannot simply stick the hose out the window—you will need to seal the space around the hose otherwise you're letting in more hot air from outside than cold air being generated.While portable air conditioners usually come with an installation kit, they do not work in all window types (most are designed for windows that slide up to open).

If you have non-standard window types, you may need to build a custom outfit of plywood to fit in the window, with a venting hole for the hose. ProsEasy to set up and moveCan use in many rooms ConsHeavyLess efficientSome units have a reservoir for condensation, which needs to be emptied periodically Through the Wall Air Conditioners Through the wall, or built in, air conditioners are permanently installed in a wall. Often these units are more versatile and provide both hot and cold air operations. They do not take up window space, but instead require creating a hole in an exterior wall. Built-in units are ideal heating and cooling solutions in rooms which are not connected to a home's central heat and air conditioning system. Smaller units can be installed by a handy homeowner, though larger units may need to be installed by a professional. ProsPermanentHeat function availableOption to use wireless thermostatFlexible installation location within the room​Provide a more secure and airtight fit

ConsMore expensive optionA more involved installation is requiredAdditional parts may be necessary Evaporative Air Conditioners Evaporative air conditioners are another option for cooling the home, and are most commonly used in areas where high temperatures and low humidity are present. Through the evaporation of water, these air conditioners cool the air and use a water-filled pad to filter out dirt, dust, and allergens. Unlike other air conditioners, evaporative units can be rated by CFM, or the amount of cubic feet per minute of airflow that can be moved through a room of a home. To find the CFM, follow this formula:Square feet needed to be cooled multiplied by ceiling height (in feet). Then divide this number by 2.Example: 1,500 square feet x 10 foot ceilings = 15,000 / 2 = 7,500 CFMClick here to sort products by square footage of the room to find the best fit for your space. ProsMinor installation and maintenance costsCan be permanent or portable​ depending on modelDoes not use or emit harmful coolants

ConsNot effective in humid environments, or during rainy weather.Windows must be opened in order for hot air to be pushed out of the room.Uses between 4 and 10 gallons of water per hour. Split Wall Air Conditioners Designed for homes without ducts, with the condenser on the outside of the home and the cooling, evaporator unit(s) on the inside. Split wall air conditioners must be professionally installed as either ceiling recessed, ceiling condensed, concealed duct, or wall mounted. Split wall air conditioners are a great option for rooms that do not have windows or exterior walls. A single zone is an installation with just one indoor unit, and a multiple zone system has many units in various rooms. ProsLess expensive than installing central air conditioningQuiet and efficientMultiple units can be controlled to stay at various temperaturesSome are available with heat ConsMore expensive than window and wall unitsRequires professional HVAC installation Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to air conditioners.

Often, people purchase an air conditioner that is too large for their space thinking it will cool the room faster. However, air conditioner units cool the room by removing heat and humidity from the air. A too-large unit will remove the heat from the air, but leave the humidity, making the room feel damp. This is inefficient and a waste of energy. If you select a unit that is the right size for your space, it will remove both heat and humidity effectively. A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is the measurement of how much an air conditioner can cool a room, by reducing heat and humidity. It is important to match the recommended BTU to the room size. Use this chart with measurements from Energy Star to select the proper air conditioning unit for your room. Make adjustments for rooms that receive a lot of sun, shade, or are constantly being used. Consider your space and make these adjustments to your air conditioning unit, if the room:Is in the shade for most of the day, reduce the unit's capacity by 10 percent.

Is in full sun for most of the day, increase the unit's capacity by 10 percent.Is the kitchen, increase the unit's capacity by 4,000 BTUs.Is regularly used by more than two people, increase the unit's capacity by 600 BTUs per each additional person.Has high ceilings or is on the top floor of the house, increase the unit's capacity by 10%. The decibel rating of an air conditioning unit measures the amount of sound it produces. The lower the number, the quieter the unit. If you are placing the unit in a room where conversations and TV watching will occur, consider purchasing a unit with a lower decibel rating.Units can also come with remote controls, programmable timers, and thermostats to make it easier for the consumer to use.The energy efficiency of an air conditioner should be considered when making a purchase. The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) or Energy Star rating appears on all air conditioner packaging. The EER rating ranges from 8 to 11.5. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is, and often the more expensive.

However, a more energy-efficient unit will save you money over time. Energy Star rated units have been certified by the U.S. government as being more energy efficient than other models. The Environmental Protection Agency certifies that high-efficiency Energy Star air conditioners use up to 30 percent less energy than other models.The ideal location to install an air conditioning unit is centered on a wall. If that is not possible, look for a unit where the airflow direction can be adjusted. Installation instructions will be included with the air conditioning unit, but it is best to have at least two people on hand to lift the unit and close the window. For some window or wall air conditioning units, it is important that the unit is level or slightly leaning back (see instructions for your particular unit), so that accumulated water drips away from the house, and not inside. This sometimes requires placing a board under the air conditioning unit or installing brackets into the window frame.