How to Prevent Pests From Impacting Your HVAC System

Pests like cockroaches, rats, mice, and silverfish can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms. They can also worsen your indoor air quality, cause unpleasant smells and reduce your HVAC system’s airflow. Pests can force you to use more energy to stay comfortable in your Fairfax, Virginia, home. You can prevent annoying pest problems by improving your home’s insulation, inspecting your ductwork and controlling vegetation.

Improve Insulation

Pests can get through small spaces underneath doors and windows easily. Make sure your walls have plenty of insulation to save energy and keep pests from chewing through them.

Add weatherstripping underneath doors and windows. Ensure your power outlets have caulk around them to seal gaps. Look for leaks or holes by shutting off your HVAC system and carrying around a candle. When a breeze makes the light flicker, you need extra insulation in the area.

Inspect Ductwork

You should have a professional look at your ductwork every few years. That way, you can repair leaks or gaps before they can let pests inside. You’ll also save energy by keeping conditioned air from escaping. If you hear strange noises, or if some rooms are always too warm or cool, you might need to schedule duct cleaning or sealing.

Control Vegetation

Remove vegetation around your outdoor HVAC unit that could attract pests and reduce your system’s airflow and efficiency. Keep garbage as far away from your home as possible. Make sure you trim any branches that could fall on your unit. Since weed killers and pesticides can reduce your indoor air quality, you should only use them when other control methods fail.

Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We can help you and your family stay comfortable, improve your indoor air quality, and keep pests out of your home. For friendly and excellent service, call us anytime at 703-783-0145.

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