Air conditioner covers are necessary when one is seeking to extend the shelf life of any type of air conditioner. The covers are meant to protect air conditioning units from unfavorable weather conditions that may include extreme heat, extreme cold, dust, dew, insects and debris.

There are three types of covers. The first are dust covers. These are by far the cheapest and as the name suggests are used to protect air conditioning units from dust. Weather covers on the other hand are designed primarily for units that are outdoors, to protect them from winter and other extreme weather conditions. The third type of covers are insulating covers that are used especially on window-lodged air conditioning units to prevent any cold air from infiltrating into the room through the gaps that are around the units.

Window-lodged and portable air conditioning units all need to be protected with air conditioning covers at all times. Central air conditioning units will not need any covers. However, the network of ducts through which the central A/C unit distributes cool does need to be covered. Covers are available in various sizes, usually in the standard sizes of air conditioners.  Materials with which covers are made from also vary, with weather-resistant covers being made from heavy-duty material that often includes metal and a special form of plastic that can withstand the harsh outdoor weather conditions. Other covers are made from a range of synthetic materials.

Air conditioning units are usually covered entirely, sometimes leaving only the button controls and the duct uncovered. Fastening is then done using zippers, duct tape or Velcro. Apart from protecting air conditioning units from weather conditions, air conditioner covers often absorb the noise produced by the units as they vibrate, thus reducing the noise significantly. The covers are available in a wide range of designs.

Apart from functionality, the aesthetic value of the covers has also become a major consideration. This is more so for air conditioning units used in offices and living rooms as well as the portable units. These covers come in a wide selection of colors, allowing you to choose the one that best matches your home or office décor.

The best time to purchase air conditioner covers is when you purchase of the units. This will ensure that you get the perfect fitting cover for your unit and also ensure that it is protected right from the beginning. The covers can be purchased from local shops, although there are also customized covers that are obviously more expensive but guarantee maximum protection for your unit. They are especially handy in cases where air conditioning units are not of the regular design. The positions of ducts and power connections may differ, which would warrant a customized cover.

When purchasing air conditioner covers for units already in use, the model and size of the unit will be the basic guidelines. The design and aesthetic value of the cover will then depend on personal preference. The sooner you cover your air conditioning units the better, as it can save you a lot of repair costs that could result were the conditioner to be damaged by harsh weather conditions.