One simple reality of any HVAC system, whether in a home or business, is that it will have some connection to the outdoors. Air has to be exchanged between outdoors and indoors as part of basic heating and cooling operations, and this does present at least the theoretical risk of various outdoor critters – from tiny pests to larger rodents – attempting to invade.
Luckily, the pros with At Your Service Plumbing, Heating & Air are here to help prevent this from happening to you during our various heating maintenance services. Let’s go over a few of the broad basics on pests and your home, plus how you can prevent them from invading through various HVAC-related channels.
Pests, Warmth and Indoor Locations
In general, most pests and rodents are always on the hunt for warmth and food – especially during the winter when these are less available in outdoor areas. They will go to great lengths to seek out warm areas that provide moisture and any scraps of food they can find, and when it gets cold, this often means they look to your home for refuge.
Your exact pest risks may vary based on your area or other factors, but your HVAC system has several characteristics they’ll often go for. They love to flock to moisture areas, such as leaking water heaters. Some of them are capable of chewing through significant materials, as well, meaning you have to keep yourself protected. Our next section will go over just how you can go about this.
Tips for HVAC-Related Pest Prevention
A few basic tips we can recommend for keeping your HVAC system fully protected from any pests or other invaders, both during this winter and throughout the year:
- Seal off entry points: One of the primary aspects of our heating and air services is inspections, and one element of these inspections is checking for entry points where air might be able to get in – but also various pests. We can help you with everything from protective screens to pinpointing draft areas, which may point you to the cracks or openings where pests are entering and allow you to seal them off effectively.
- Ductwork: Duct material can wear down over time, particularly if you have any duct tape on your vents. Make sure you regularly check your ducts for leaks, as several pests may look to nest in them if you don’t.
- Moisture: Any puddling water is an invitation for certain pests to gather and breed, so look to prevent this however you can. Seal outdoor areas and use dehumidifiers if certain areas of your home are too humid generally.
- Pest control and inspections: Basic pest inspections and spraying can go a long way here, as can basic HVAC inspections to ensure your system doesn’t have any easy openings for pests.
For more on preventing pest access through your HVAC system, or to learn about any of our other HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the pros with At Your Service Plumbing, Heating & Air today.
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