# Does my a/c unit need to be sheltered? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 5, 2018, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-a-c-unit-need-to-be-sheltered/813623 "2018-05-05T04:08:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-a-c-unit-need-to-be-sheltered/813623/21 "2018-05-06T19:38:13Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I have seen some people have a vinyl cover for the outside unit for the winter, to prevent ice getting between the fins and doing damage; but the majority of people don’t do this and I’ve never heard of problems. (I don’t do it). > > Again, remove before using A/C… I specifically asked my HVAC guy about covering in winter. According to him it’s a big no-no (something about trapping moisture). He said all you have to do is hose or blow out and accumulated leaves periodically. Says the units are built to live out of doors. mmm ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-a-c-unit-need-to-be-sheltered/813623/22 "2018-05-06T20:47:27Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I specifically asked my HVAC guy about covering in winter. According to him it’s a big no-no (something about trapping moisture). Everything I’ve read says that a full covering on all sides is bad, but that a cover over the top only can be beneficial since snow accumulating on the fan blades can cause them to become unbalanced. Even that seems like a bit of a stretch to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-a-c-unit-need-to-be-sheltered/813623.md?page=1)