Removing a room air conditioner for the winter

I live in Southeastern PA and have a room AC in my master bedroom. I usually remove it for the winter, but now I am wondering if I really need to.

All the reading I have done (mainstream publications or general websites, none of them run by HVAC experts) advises to remove a room AC for the winter, because the articles say that freezing temps, snow, and sleet can damage the components. Where I live we do get some snow, sleet, and freezing temps, but it’s not Alaska.

The advice makes sense on the face of it, but here’s the rub: I actually have two room ACs in my house, both the same brand (Frigidaire 6,000 BTU). The one in my study is over 10 years old and cranks up every summer … and I have never removed it for the winter.

The one in my master bedroom is my second one, the first one having crapped out on me. Even though I always removed it every winter.

So … my experience says it’s not really necessary. But maybe I have just been lucky (or unlucky in the case of the master bedroom unit.)

My question: Do I really need to remove the room AC for the winter?

Thanks

I figured people would be more concerned about air leakage and insulation value of window vs the ac unit. not like they’re designed to perform like a modern high efficiency window.