How to Cover an Air Conditioner With a Tarp

How to Cover an Air Conditioner With a Tarp
Written By
Cody Sorensen
Cody Sorensen
Published: Jan 20, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Waterproof tarp
  • Bungee cords

Insects can climb inside the air conditioner, die and get stuck in the smaller mechanisms of the unit. A waterproof tarp isn't a 100-percent protection guarantee for your air conditioner, but it can increase the likelihood that your air conditioner will be uncovered cleaner than if you hadn't covered it at all.

  1. Lay the tarp down over the top of the air conditioner so that the center of the tarp is directly over the center of the air conditioner.

  2. Allow the sides of the tarp to drape down around the sides of the air conditioner.

  3. Stand at one side of the air conditioner. Stretch out a bungee cord holding a hook in each hand.

  4. Lean over the top of the air conditioner and slide the bungee cord 4 inches down the opposite side. Squat down and pull the bungee hooks around the air conditioner until the hooks can be connected on your side of the air conditioner.

  5. Hook the bungee hooks together. Slide the wrapped bungee cord down to the base of the air conditioner to hold the tarp tight. Slide a second and third bungee cord over the top and down the sides until you have a total of three bungee cords wrapped around the tarp and air conditioner.

Check out this related video from Homesteady on Youtube.

Tips

The bottom bungee cord will pull the corners of the tarp in around the base. Don't worry about making the corners look pretty.

Warnings

Don't forget to remove the tarp before using the air conditioner or the unit may overheat and fail.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Cody Sorensen

Cody Sorensen has been writing professionally since 2009. His online articles focus on his experience with painting, horticulture, construction, plumbing, home improvement and agriculture. Sorensen is a licensed truck driver, certified…

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