Why Should I Cover My Air Conditioner During The Off Season?

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Air conditioning manufacturers make rugged, high quality products that are

designed to withstand the elements i.e. snow, wind, rain, sun, and extreme heat/

cold. However, an air conditioner’s filters, coils and fins require regular maintenance

for the unit to operate effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service.

Unlike the evaporator coil, the condenser coil is exposed to unfiltered outdoor air.

Air borne dirt will become lodged in the condenser when the outdoor environment

is dusty, or if there is foliage near by. Depending on where you live dirt can build up

very quickly. Just about everything that contacts the coil surface can have an

insulating effect. Dirt, dust, seeds, bugs, foliage, grease, corrosion, pollution, and

even bacteria and other microorganisms can act as an insulating barrier. Anything

that touches the coil reduces the heat transfer of unwanted heat from the

refrigerant to the outside air.

Air conditioning manufacturers design equipment to achieve the highest SEER level

of efficiency using the least amount of refrigerant. The systems are perfectly

balanced and anything that affects the heat transfer creates an imbalance which

drastically affects performance. A dirty coil reduces heat transfer which causes

temperature and pressure of the refrigerant entering the compressor to increases

above normal levels. The compressor will than work harder and draw more amps to

keep up. The cooling capacity of the system will be greatly reduced and the

mechanical components will be significantly stressed. A dirty coil means a higher

operating cost, more wear and tear on the compressor and fans, and inadequate

cooling.

Coils that have little maintenance performed often become clogged with seeds and

dirt over time. If the condenser airflow is restricted on a hot day the compressor

head and cylinders will become extremely “hot”. The oil will than begin to break

down and lose its ability to lubricate causing accelerated wear and allowing

contaminants to enter the system. This can cause rings, pistons and cylinders to

wear resulting in lower compression, leaking valves, and metal debris in the oil.

Once this occurs compressor failure will soon follow. Air conditioners are a closed

loop system and changing the oil is not a normal or easy procedure. The oil used in

air conditioning systems is extremely resilient but will prematurely break down if

the system is not looked after. Imagine trying to drive your car for 10 years without

ever changing the oil. When a hermetic compressor fails the only way to fix the

system is to replace the compressor. This involves opening the system, having the

refrigerant and oil removed, and filter dryers installed to clean up the system of

moisture and acid that will be introduced from opening the system and left from the

failure. This is a very costly procedure and many systems at this point are not worth

fixing.

* The benefits of keeping the coil clean are:

* Equipment operates at a lower temperature and removes more heat.

* You have lower operating amperage, resulting in lower energy costs

* Compressor is operating at maximum efficiency and will operate less

* Equipment will last longer and be more reliable

This is why it is recommended that you keep the coil clean with an air conditioning

cover during the off season.

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Source by Brian M Jones