4 Ways Animals Can Damage Your HVAC System
You probably never think about your HVAC system, except when you change or clean the filter or call the technician for a routine checkup and maintenance. HVAC systems have a way of working in the background, doing their jobs day in and day out without a peep. Funnily enough, it’s the peeps you must listen for, as well as the scratches, gnawing, and other animal sounds that can signal an invasion of pests. Yes, sometimes your HVAC system’s worst enemies are the crawling, flying, and nibbling kind. Here are four ways animals can damage your HVAC system.
Ductwork Damage
Animals are just like us. They want to survive. The first step to attaining this is finding shelter. Your home’s ductwork makes the perfect hiding place. It’s snug, secure, cool in summer, and warm in winter. Furthermore, it provides plenty of space to set up a home and raise babies. Mice and rats are especially fond of sneaking into ducts and creating nests. That’s good for them but not so good for you. Rodents gnaw. As they build their nests out of available materials, they chew up wiring, insulation, and more. They can ruin your HVAC system’s parts, cause fires, and leave behind unhealthy droppings.
Outside Condenser Damage
If you have a condenser outside your home, keep an eye on it. Because it blasts out hot air, it’s an inviting place for most animals looking for a place to live. It has plenty of tight spaces to crawl into as well, attracting mice, rats, chipmunks, and even snakes. The trouble is that animals can chew up the condenser’s interior parts and leave behind food and solid and liquid waste. These can damage metal and plastic and short out electrical parts. Keep the surroundings free from weeds and ways for critters to crawl inside.
Nasty Nesting
Birds are lovely to behold … on your bird feeder. But you don’t ever want to see them around your outdoor AC unit or vents. Birds love to build nests in tight, out-of-the-way places, and many parts of your HVAC system offer bird-tempting real estate. When they nest, they stuff your system with twigs, straw, grass, and more that can block the free flow of air. They leave behind urine, feces, saliva, and other fluids, and can sometimes even die in there. Discourage them from nesting with a fake owl or similar bird-scaring methods.
Pet Hair and Dander Issues
Sometimes the trouble comes from inside the house! If you have dogs, cats, or other furry animals, their hair and dander can damage your systems. Every HVAC system, including HVAC mini splits, comes equipped with some type of filter. If you don’t clean, replace, and maintain that filter every few months, it becomes clogged with dirt, dust, hair, and especially pet fur.
Those are just four ways animals can damage your HVAC system. If you’re having trouble with your HVAC system, contact us for a consultation!
