Falling leaves are part of the romance of autumn and the changing of the seasons, but those leaves can have an impact on your condenser, the outdoor section of your air conditioner. It’s wise to practice a little outdoor HVAC unit protection and clear those leaves away.
Why Clear Leaves Away From the Condenser?
The air conditioner’s outdoor unit is where the heat from the home is exhausted. To do its job properly, the unit needs good air flow. Lots of leaves piling up around the unit may prevent that from happening. Likewise, weeds and other yard debris could also impede air flow, and prevent the A/C from properly cooling the home.
You need to be especially vigilant about this if you tend to turn the air conditioner on now and then throughout the fall, when leaves are falling. Even if you turn the A/C off for good once fall arrives, you should keep leaves cleared away to prevent rodents and other creatures from burrowing into them to make a home.
While you’re clearing up leaves, be sure to cut back weeds, grass and shrubbery that comes within 2 feet of your condenser. You should also trim back branches that grow over the unit, and which might fall on it during ice storms.
To Cover or Not to Cover?
Some homeowners choose to cover up their outdoor A/C unit, but it’s really not necessary, as they are designed to be tough and withstand the elements. However, you may want to erect some type of cover over the unit to keep leaves and other debris from falling inside. In general, covers may encourage rodents or other creatures to seek shelter inside the unit during the winter; covers may also promote condensation that can corrode the unit. If you must cover it, purchase a manufactured cover, designed for the purpose, rather than wrapping it in a tarp. A wooden board anchored securely over the top might be a better way to keep leaves out.
For more on outdoor HVAC unit protection, contact Ace Hardware Home Services of Dayton.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
