How to safeguard your RTU unit in the winter months

The horrible time of year for the RTU unit to work is in the winter. Just as snow, ice, & wind cause long & short-term impairment to the home, the same will cause expensive damage to an RTU unit.

Generally, RTU units are built to endure tough weather, & some house owners say that their RTU units still function well even when they skip to carry out any provisional measures during the cold season. However, the RTU unit may get damaged by repeated freeze-thaw cycles, debris, & moisture buildup in case you fail to do any protective act during winter.

Falling leaves, snow & ice may get into the RTU unit & cause damage. Now let’s take a look at how you can safeguard your RTU unit in winter provided by our rooftop unit installation Dallas.

Why cover the RTU unit in winter?

Knowing what type of damages to prevent is one-half the battle. Here’s why it requires protection & why it is important to find out how to cover an RTU unit for winter in the right way:

1. Flying debris & dried leaves

They might get caught in the delicate fins of the condenser coil of outdoor AC. When this happens, it would not be able to give out heat to cool your residence. Dust & leaves can cause a lot of problems; besides understanding how to cover an AC for winter, you also need to know about washing the coils before the cold winter season.

2. Inches of piling up snow 

Piles of snow can encapsulate the RTU unit. It is fine to have a modest layer of frost on the outer parts of the RTU unit, but do not let it become encapsulated in a thick layer of ice or snow. The blades of the fan & the coil fins may get damaged.

3. Falling ice 

Sometimes falling ice may hit the RTU unit with an unwanted amount of force, doing damage to the outside of the AC, or the worst, damaging those delicate coil fins.

4. Drippage of water 

Water dripping from gutters & trees can get inside the RTU unit. Later while the temperature goes down, that water converts into ice, which expands & damages the fins.

5. Blizzards 

In case you know that you are staying in an area prone to storms of snow, then covering the RTU unit can do a big deal. If snow piles up inside the RTU unit, then melting & refreezing it will invariably damage the coils. 

Just as you realized, why let’s comprise the dos & don’ts of how to cover an RTU unit for winter.

Also Read: Here’s why your RTU makes these eight types of Noise!

How not to cover an RTU unit for winter (the wrong way)

Never cover your AC in plastic & beware of economically available covers of RTU units made of plastic. You must do so because plastic doesn’t breathe. That is the most important tip about how to cover an RTU unit for winter.

It is true that plastic covers will ward off falling leaves & snow. But the trouble is, they also entrap condensation from getting out. When this happens, the RTU unit may develop rust or mildew growth. Those covers of plastic can also urge insects & bugs to escape from the outside elements & take up habitation in the rooftop unit.

How to cover an RTU unit for winter (the right way)

Here are a few suggestions for how to cover up an RTU unit for the cold season in a way which does not trap moisture within yet still makes the unit protected:

  • Use a breathable material lid to cover the rooftop unit.
  • Put plywood on the top of the rooftop unit only to protect it from snow & ice, deliberating it down with rocks or bricks to maintain in place.
  • Install a wood shade or shelter connected to the building which covers the unit’s top.
  • Plant shrubs surrounding the RTU unit to protect from blowing snow & wind. Check with the air conditioning service company nigh the proper sanction for airflow that is essential for appropriate operation in the next coming summer.
  • Construct your own house for the RTU unit that gives protection in winter as well as shelter in summer. You may find smart designs on rooftop unit installation Dallas & on online web sites. When considering designs to cover the rooftop unit for winter, ensure you have sufficient clearance surrounding the RTU unit for airflow.
  • Ensure that you always cover the RTU unit just before a blizzard & uncover it afterward. You must also spare a few times & clear the ice or snow surrounding the outside unit.

Conclusion:

Most house owners have been thinking about whether it is good to cover the RTU unit during winter. As a matter of fact, this has been an intense debate in the cooling & heating industry for a long. However, there are a lot of advantages to covering the RTU unit.

Are you looking for the best rooftop unit service provider in your area? Here at Roof Top Unit DWF, we provide the best RTU unit as well as the best air conditioning & heating experts. To know more about our rooftop unit installation Dallas contact us at (214) 550-3458 or text us at (469) 351-9657.

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