Preventing Pests from Invading your HVAC System

November 29th, 2021

Hey everyone, Cosmo here! If you’re an animal lover, you know there’s nothing better than having little friends in your home and making them a part of your family. But what if other animals, who aren’t your friends, are invading your home through your HVAC system?

What Harm Can Pests Do to an HVAC System?

As animals nest, breed, move around, defecate, and die in your HVAC components, they can block airflow, damage ductwork and other components, and create foul odors from your HVAC system that will spread throughout your home. This is bad for system efficiency, leading to an increase is wear and tear on the system if the problem is left unaddressed for a long time. It will also have a negative impact on your Princeton, NJ home’s indoor air quality. Here are some simple ways to prevent this.

Don’t Cover up Your AC for the Winter

People ask us this all the time, “Should I cover up my AC unit in the winter?” The answer is always the same: no. To understand one of the big reasons why, imagine that you’re an insect or a small rodent, such as a mouse. As winter approaches, you know that you’ll have to endure the season’s chilly weather unprotected if you don’t find a place to keep warm. Just when all hope seems lost, you happen upon a cozy outdoor AC unit that some kindhearted homeowner was thoughtful enough to warm up just for you. Its crankcase heater is producing warmth, and its AC cover is acting like a heavy blanket that keeps the heat trapped inside the unit. It’s a perfect place for you to spend the winter!

But if you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume that you’re not an insect or a mouse. You’re a homeowner, and it’s in your best interest to keep your home’s HVAC unit protected from a pest invasion. One way to do that is by making sure your AC unit isn’t too welcoming to animals. Infographic explaining why you shouldn't cover up your AC unit in the winter

Infographic explaining why you shouldn't cover up your AC unit in the winter

Seal Your Ducts

If you have spiders and other non-flying bugs in your home, chances are they got in through an open duct in the HVAC system. One solution that works in many cases is installing insect screens on your indoor and outdoor vents. However, if the gaps in your home’s ductwork are large enough for larger critters, such as mice, to get through, then having the ductwork professionally repaired and sealed may be a more effective step.

Protect Your Outdoor Unit

No matter what time of year it is, bugs and many other animals seek out foliage for food and shelter. If you have plant overgrowth within a foot of the unit, clear it away so the area isn’t so attractive to unwanted visitors.

Window units can also make it possible for bugs to enter your home, especially if the units are not installed properly. If there’s a gap between the unit and the window frame of even a fraction of an inch, that space is big enough for bugs to get in, and also big enough to cause other issues like dust and decreased system efficiency. Weather-stripping and caulk are two potentially viable DIY methods to fix this.

Some repairs jobs, though, are best left to professionals. If your HVAC system has been experiencing any kind of technical issue, no matter if it’s caused by animals or something else, it’s time to do something about it! For reliable HVAC repair in Mercer County, NJ, contact SG Heating & Air Conditioning LLC today at 609-448-1273!