Abstract: An air conditioning unit with a protective cap for preventing the intrusion of sun, rain, snow, debris, and the like, into an updraft fan housing and an area proximate heat exchange coils is disclosed. The cap comprises a cap member and a hinge member having a first and second a side. A shoulder member enables a secure attachment of the cap member to the second side of the hinge member. The second side of the hinge member is securely attached to the shoulder member to enable the cap member to pivot relative the first side of the hinge member. The first side of the hinge member is securely attached to the air conditioning unit proximate the exhaust opening of the air conditioning unit to enable the cap member to pivot open upon activation of the updraft fan moving ambient air out of the exhaust opening and to pivot to a closed position upon deactivation of the updraft fan causing the movement of the ambient air to stop.