Don’t Put That Cover On Your A/C Unit This Winter

Seasons are changing, and before you know it, we will be turning on our heating sources and closing up for winter. If you have a central air conditioner, you think you can help keep your unit safe by putting a cover over it for the winter. You don't want all that snow to get in there, right?

Well, you may want to think again. A local HVAC expert, Bruce from Aireserv, says they don't recommend covering your A/C unit. Why not?

The first reason is that when you put a cover on your unit, it makes it an even more attractive place for mice and rodents to hide in the winter. It creates an out-of-view shelter for the mice when temperatures start dropping. Every fall, mice try their best to make their way into warmer places like basements and garages. A covered A/C unit is the perfect spot for them to go. And they could be chewing up wires or other components.

Secondly, when you put a cover on your A/C unit, it traps moisture inside. That can cause premature corrosion of parts and electronics. There's really no difference between snow and rain; it's just a different form of moisture. So not using a cover is really just like letting it get wet during the summer, which we all do.

Read More: Don't Put Your Boat Away For Winter Until You Do These 2 Things

Another helpful tip for any rodents is to use high-quality peppermint oil on cotton balls. Place the cotton balls around areas that you don't want mice in, and they'll stay away. It works better than dryer sheets that lose their scent in just a couple of weeks.