There are certain air conditioning system components that are constantly exposed to the elements. The condenser coil and compressor, for instance, are installed outdoors. You can find them in the condenser unit. The condenser unit is a large box-shaped housing unit that contains the condenser coil and compressor. Rather than leaving it exposed year-round, though, you can use a condenser unit cover.
What Is a Condenser Unit Cover?
A condenser unit cover is exactly what it sounds like: a cover for an air conditioning system’s condenser unit. Most of them are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Condenser unit covers look like large PVC tarps. They are designed to fit over condenser units.
The Purpose of Condenser Unit Covers
During the winter, some homeowners use a condenser unit cover to protect their air conditioning system from damage. Homeowners who live in cold regions, for instance, may use a condenser unit cover to prevent snow from building up inside of this box-shaped housing unit. A condenser unit cover will shield the condenser – as well as its included components – from the snowy winter weather.
A condenser unit cover will also keep pests out of the condenser unit. Rodents may find their way inside of the condenser unit. If left unchecked, they may chew through the included wiring while causing serious damage. A condenser unit cover will discourage pests from entering this housing unit and damaging the wiring.
Another reason some homeowners use a condenser unit cover is to keep debris out of the condenser unit. It will shield the condenser unit from leaves, branches, dirt and other forms of debris.
Do You Really Need a Condenser Unit Cover?
A condenser unit cover isn’t needed for most air conditioning systems. Georgia is known for its mild winters. We may get a few snowy days once in a while, but snow is rare here in the Southeast. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about snow accumulating inside of your air conditioning system’s condenser unit.
If you’re planning on running your air conditioning system, you shouldn’t use a condenser unit cover. A condenser unit cover will interfere with your air conditioning system’s operations. It will insulate the condenser coil. The condenser coil, of course, is a heat exchanger. And like most heat exchangers, it shouldn’t be insulated. If the condenser coil is wrapped in a PVC cover, it won’t be able to release heat.
