We usually remove the units when we close up summer cottage. It's a pain to install so other than possible theft, which is unlikely, is there other downsides? We would obviously wrap the exteriors securely.

Cottage is about 8 hours away in Canada so it's not something we would be able to check periodically during winter.

When I had to use a window unit, I tried using the little accordion panels that came with it and they were definitely more of a pain in the ass than the 3/4" MDF panels I soon cut to replace them. I painted them and adhered dense foam weatherstrips to them to seal on all sides. It made it quick and sealed it thoroughly compared to the crap that came with the unit. Only slightly more secure, not by much. Were it me, I'd keep removing it annually.

If you leave them in, that makes it more convenient for a window climbing thief to get in your house, too.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
If you leave them in, that makes it more convenient for a window climbing thief to get in your house, too.

1] summer cottage
2] Canada
3] door is never locked

^^Then,leaving it hanging out all winter in the elements and the ensuing corrosion (vice exposed only for a few months a year) will decrease the unit's lifespan.

I cut cover panels from magnetic sign material. It keeps the crap and weather out of them & it's convenient to put on & off.

Duct tape a trash bag over it when you leave for the season. And leave it in place, based on the fact you leave the door unlocked

quote:

Originally posted by Woodman:

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
If you leave them in, that makes it more convenient for a window climbing thief to get in your house, too.

1] summer cottage
2] Canada
3] door is never locked

I see reference in the OP to the summer cottage being in Canada but not to the door always being unlocked. I was not aware there are no thieves operating within the boundaries of our utopian neighbor to the north.

Maybe build a box with a sloped roof to slip on it and call it done. Leave the bottom open for venting and drainage. Maybe plexiglass

Cottage has been in family 3 generations, had no idea it's never been locked until now.

Anyway thanks to all for the advice, looks like removing them is best option. They're old, heavy and bulky but still get the job done.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
^^Then,leaving it hanging out all winter in the elements and the ensuing corrosion (vice exposed only for a few months a year) will decrease the unit's lifespan.

I have found that banging them around by taking them in/out shortens their lifespan more than the elements.

Rural cottage left unlocked = joke. Back, way back, in his rompin' day c.1950s one uncle had a "cabin" deep in the forests of central northern Pennsylvania. He claimed it was never locked because a fellow hunter or hiker might need to use it for shelter; leaving it unlocked kept someone from breaking in.

Window AC units, I'd leave them in place uncovered year around. As long as the sill is hearty and not rotting beneath the weight, it should not matter.

One house I bought had a 40 year old Sears thru-the-wall unit. Obviously never removed. I've had window units in place for 10+ years at a time. Rake and disinfect the fins, wash the media element, always works for another year.

One point, newer units will be a whole lot more energy efficient and lighter.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
If you leave them in, that makes it more convenient for a window climbing thief to get in your house, too.

A couple of solid wood dowels in the side tracks make it pretty much impossible to open without breaking the glass.

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
I cut cover panels from magnetic sign material. It keeps the crap and weather out of them & it's convenient to put on & off.

This is an excellent idea.

I have one in my cabin. I take it out when I close up for the winter. Though I just set on the floor right under the window so not very far to take it.
Plus it is a fairly small unit.

Back when we lived in a house with window units, all the bedroom units came out in the winter and got cleaned an inspected in the spring before reinstallation.

The large unit in the dining room that cooled the whole first floor was a monster. It stayed in all year, but in the winter it got a home made cover made of foam insulation board slipped over it and retained with a ratchet strap. Seemed to help quite a bit, but we were also living in the house year round.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
I cut cover panels from magnetic sign material. It keeps the crap and weather out of them & it's convenient to put on & off.

This is an excellent idea.

I made these up four years ago & no amount of sun, rain, snow, or wind has had any affect on them. In fact the sun makes them lay down & conform to the louvers even better. I use my two A/Cs about three months of the summer & they just hang covered the rest of the time. Upon arrival at the cabin I peel them off of two units in a minute, literally. I'm well pleased with the idea. I used to do the plastic wrap & duct tape thing until this. No comparison on the ease of use.