Protect the AC Unit From the Winter with These Tips!

We are in the middle of the winter and the weather is determined to make sure we know it. With all this snow and ice coming through each week, what does it mean for your AC unit? Is all the snow bad for it? Should it be covered? Royal Heating and Air is the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks and we are here to help answer all your questions about how to keep your AC unit safe this winter. Read on to learn more!

Covering the AC Unit 

Your Air Conditioning unit is not being used right now with all the cold weather. While it's taking a break this winter, should it be covered? There are several pros to covering the AC unit this winter. (Note: This does not apply to heat pumps.)

First, it can protect the unit from any falling debris, like heavy snow, broken tree limbs and twigs, icicles breaking off the side of your house. These falling projectiles could cause some damage to your AC unit on impact, so covering the unit could help protect minimize the impact.

Also, covering your unit helps prevent water from getting into the unit and then freezing when the temperature drops. If this happens to often, it can cause damage to the coils on your unit and require expensive repairs.

Keeping Your AC Unit Free 

There are also a few cons to covering the AC unit, however, and your circumstances could mean that it's a good idea to leave it as is.

Covering the unit protects it from accumulating water that could freeze and expand, but covering could allow moisture to build up in the enclosed space on warmer days and cause it to grow mold and mildew. 

The cover for your AC unit could also serve as a cover for pests. They may see it as a shelter and make their home by your AC unit. This could lead to contamination with droppings and damage to the unit from chewing rodents.

Regularly Check the Unit 

Whether you decide to cover the unit or leave it free, it's important to regularly venture out and make sure everything is okay. If you decided to go with a cover, make sure there aren't any tears in the cover, any rodents living underneath, or any mold and mildew growing between the unit and cover. If you decide to leave the unit open to the air, make sure snow is not accumulating on top in large amounts, keep the sides free from fallen branches and leaves, and make sure the gutters above the unit are intact and not leaking water directing on the unit. 

Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Even though you aren't currently using your air conditioning unit, you don't want to wait until the middle of a hot day to find out there is an issue. Call the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks - Royal Heating & Air, and we will come out to do an inspection on the AC unit to make sure frozen water hasn't burst the pipes/coils. As the spring starts to near in the next few weeks, it becomes even more important to make sure the unit is working properly.

HVAC at the Lake of the Ozarks 

Royal Heating & Air can help protect your AC or furnace this season! Call the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks to ensure your AC is protected this winter so it is ready to work hard next summer. You can count on Royal Heating & Air to make sure your AC unit is ready when you need it. Call 573-480-4313 to schedule an appointment today!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Pros and Cons of Covering Your AC Unit This Winter!

The cooler weather has arrived which means it is time to switch from using your AC to turning on the heat.  Over the winter months, we can't forget about protecting our outdoor AC unit. Your air conditioning unit is made for the summer months, but it's actually built to survive the tough winter weather. Some people even find that their units work fine taking no precautions before winter. However, the outdoor components of the system can be damaged by debris, moisture build-up, and repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles. You could switch off the power to avoid accidentally turning it on during the winter. Turning your unit on could create a problem if it starts cycling water through the system and the water freezes. Here are the pros and cons of covering your AC unit this winter by the Lake of the Ozarks best heating and cooling company.

Pros On Covering Your AC Unit (Does Not Apply To Heat Pumps)

There are pros to covering your AC for the winter. While the cold itself won't hurt your system, the debris that accumulates over the season can. If you decide to cover your AC unit during the winter months, it is important to clean it up and remove any leaves or other gunk that has built up before stowing it. There are two ways you can cover an AC unit. First, you can place a piece of plywood over the top to keep icicles, branches, leaves and other things from falling in the top. Secondly, an AC cover from manufacturers can also keep debris out as well as lower the risk of damage to the metal from repeated freezing and thawing.  Some may find covering your unit only during heavy snowstorms is the optimal answer. However, if you have a heat pump, it is important NOT to cover it during the winter months, as it works all year long. Here are the pros of covering your ac unit this winter.

• Covering your unit protects your unit from falling debris.  It helps keep your overall unit cleaner and able to run efficiently when the warmer weather begins.
• Prevents water from getting into your unit and freezing. Water getting into your coils can cause damage over time. Covering your unit can help keep water out.
• Keeps your air conditioner coils a little cleaner.  Keeping outside elements away from your coils will help keep your unit running efficiently.

Cons Of Covering Your AC Unit

There are cons to covering your AC for the winter. Your air conditioning unit is made for the summer months, but it's actually built to survive the tough winter weather. Some people even find that their units work fine taking no precautions before winter. By covering your unit you expose it to potential issues.  Here are a few cons to covering your air conditioning unit.

• Mold and mildew can grow inside your unit. Due to moisture getting trapped, the unit won't have the ability to breathe causing mold and mildew growth. The unit is made to be open to the air to help prevent this type of growth.  By covering your unit, and not uncovering it when the weather turns warmer, you could put your system at risk.  This type of growth will block proper air flow to your system causing it to not function at full capacity. 
• Animals may see shelter under the cover.  When you cover your unit for the entire winter, you may find rodents taking shelter.  This could lead to other issues like chewed electrical wires.
• Moisture can still get into your unit even if you cover it.  Moisture can still find its way into your unit naturally still causing the same effect as having it uncovered.
• Debris can accumulate under the cover.  You want to keep all the debris away from the unit at all times to ensure it will run efficiently next summer. 

Check On Your Unit 

It is important to periodically check on your AC unit throughout the winter season. If your AC is covered, it is important to make sure the cover is intact. In addition, it is important to check underneath the cover and clean out any debris that may have gotten in. If you did not cover it, it is important to check on your system after any snow storms to remove snow from the top to prevent water from getting into your system. It is also important to clear away any debris in and around the system.

Royal Heating & Air Can Help Protect Your HVAC System

Royal Heating & Air can help protect your AC or furnace this season, call the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Ensuring that your AC is protected this winter will help make sure that your AC is ready to work hard next summer.  You can count on Royal Heating & Air to make sure your AC unit is ready when you need it.   Call 573-480-4313 to schedule an appointment today!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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How To Protect Your AC This Winter

The winter season is in full swing, which means that your furnace is working hard to keep you and your family warm. Although we aren't using the AC unit now, we can't forget about it. It's important to make sure your AC unit is taken care of during the winter months to ensure it's ready to keep you cool this next summer. Lake of the Ozarks best heating and cooling company has a few tips to help protect your AC unit this winter.

Made For The Cold

Although your air conditioning unit is made for the summer months, it's actually built to survive the tough winter weather. Some people even find that their units work fine taking no precautions before winter. However, the outdoor components of the system can be damaged by debris, moisture build-up and repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles. You could switch off the power to avoid accidentally turning it on during the winter, which could create a problem if it starts cycling water through the system and that water freezes. 

Cover Up?

There are pros and cons to covering your AC for the winter. While the cold itself won't hurt your system, the debris that accumulates over the season can. If you decide to cover your AC unit during the winter months, it is important to clean it up and remove any leaves or other gunk that has built up before stowing it. There are two ways you can cover an AC unit. First, you can place a piece of plywood over the top to keep icicles, branches, leaves and other things from falling in the top. Secondly, an AC cover from manufacturers can also keep debris out as well as lower the risk of damage to the metal from repeated freezing and thawing. However, if you have a heat pump, it is important NOT to cover it during the winter months, as it works all year long. 

Don't Forget To Check On It

Whether you decide to cover your AC or not, it is important to periodically check on your AC unit throughout the winter season. If your AC is covered, it is important to make sure the cover is intact. In addition, it is important to check underneath the cover and clean out any debris that may have gotten in. If you did not cover it, it is important to check on your system after any snow storms to remove snow from the top to prevent water from getting into your system. It is also important to clear away any debris in and around the system.

Let Royal Heating & Air Protect Your HVAC System

If you need help protecting your AC or furnace this season, call the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Ensuring that your AC is protected this winter will help make sure that your AC is ready to work hard next summer.  You can count of Royal Heating & Air to make sure your AC unit is ready when you need it next summer.  

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Should I Cover My AC Unit This Season?

During autumn, most of us forget about our AC units, as we are no longer using them. However, there are still many things you need to do to take care of them in order for your system to be in good condition next spring. It's important to keep your unit clear of leaves and other debris during the fall. In addition, the winter season could cause damage with ice and snow. At this point, you may be thinking that it would be easier to keep your unit clean if you covered it. Royal Heating & Air has gathered the pros and cons of covering your AC unit during the off-season.

Pros of Covering

- Having your air conditioner covered during the fall can prevent leaves, yard waste, sticks and other debris from getting stuck inside. 

- During the winter, a cover can protect your unit from falling ice. Falling ice can cause a lot of damage to your AC unit that could require costly repairs. 

- A cover could also keep the coils cleaner so it runs more efficiently the next time the AC unit is turned on. 

- Covers prevent water from resting directly on the coils and freezing, which could damage them.

Cons of Covering 

- Covers can create the perfect shelter for furry critters. Squirrels, raccoons and rodents seek shelter during the cooler months. If they use your covered AC unit as shelter, they could cause extensive damage to the electrical wiring and other important parts. 

- Although covers prevent water from getting in the AC unit, sometimes covers can create moisture causing mold to grow inside it. When you cover the entire unit, moisture can be trapped inside by creating a high humidity environment as the sun beats down on it.

Should The AC Unit Be Covered?

In the end, deciding to cover it is completely up to you, as there are both advantages and disadvantages to covering your outside unit. On the plus side, your AC unit is kept clean and free of debris. However, if you cover your unit, you run the risk of having critters taking shelter in it. Please note that if you have a heat pump versus an air conditioner, you should never cover it because heat pumps work all year long. In addition, make sure you remember to remove the cover before turning it on again. If you turn on your AC unit with the cover on, you run the risk of burning up your unit. 

Royal Heating & Air

Royal Heating & Air is here for all of your Lake of the Ozarks heating and cooling needs. Whether you are needing a new HVAC system or an upgrade, you can count on Royal Heating & Air. Although the weather this fall has been beautiful, the cold winter season is just around the corner. Make sure your home is nice and warm this upcoming season by having a professional HVAC repair company at the Lake of the Ozarks take a look at your system. To schedule your appointment, call 573-480-4313 today!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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