Have you noticed insects in your AC system’s vents? Contact Topline Heating & Air for maintenance at (717) 628-6825.
Between the moist conditions and dirty areas, your air conditioner is the perfect place for insects and bugs to reside. Understanding how to prevent bugs from coming through air conditioner vents is vital to maintaining healthy air quality and reducing wear and tear from these infiltrators.
Getting HVAC services in Bethel, PA, is another way to ensure these problems don’t arise again. Keep reading to learn how to prevent bugs from entering your home through the air vents.
1. Check for Insect Attractors Nearby
The first step to preventing bugs from coming through air conditioner vents is to look around the indoor and outdoor units. If your unit has the following elements around it, this may attract insects:
- Standing water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs on the water’s surface. Standing puddles of water can attract mosquitoes and increase their presence in your home. Because your air conditioner’s outdoor unit is moist, mosquitoes may find their way inside your system. So, clean up all standing water and resolve structural issues causing pooling.
- Small animal carcasses: Dead rodents, lizards, and other tiny pests can get trapped in your exterior AC unit. Flies and beetles are among the insects attracted by these carcasses into your home. Check your unit for these carcasses and contact professionals for help with removals.
- Vegetation: Many bugs eat leaves and nest in bushes, trees, and other vegetation. Such foliage around your HVAC system makes it possible for bugs to crawl inside. Trim trees, bushes, and tall grass to prevent them from entering your AC unit’s vents.
2. Implement Air Vent Screens
Installing air vent screens is an easy way to prevent creepy crawlies entering air conditioning units. These screens cover your air conditioner’s air vents and allow no space for insects to crawl further into the system. Whether you have a window AC unit or a full-home HVAC system, you can find screens ideal for both types of systems.
Depending on the type of system you have and the level of protection you desire, you can install screens on the interior and exterior of vents. Professionals can install these screens to ensure a tight seal. Alternatively, it’s easy to install air vent screens yourself.
3. Seal Cracks in Ductwork
Tiny cracks and other damage in air ducts allow pests from your attic and other areas to enter your daily living space. Another way to prevent bugs from coming through air conditioner vents is by completely sealing ductwork. Professional solutions and DIY fixes are available.
Check your ductwork for air leaks by turning on the AC and feeling around twisted areas and connecting joints. You can seal minor cracked ductwork yourself with duct tape or foil tape or turn to professionals for extensive ductwork repairs. They’ll implement a specialized spray solution that maintains a seal despite temperature fluctuations.
4. Clean Your Air Conditioner System
Your AC system must remain in good, clean condition. Dirt, dust, moisture, and other debris attract pests. Without regular cleaning, your air conditioner becomes a breeding ground for silverfish, spiders, and more.
You can easily dismantle and clean your AC’s central hub and surrounding components as follows:
- Ensure your unit is off and no power is flowing to it.
- Use a wet and dry vacuum to clean the unit’s fins.
- Remove the fan component and clean the fan blades.
- Dry components with the shop vacuum or let them air dry.
- Reassemble the system.
Don’t forget to regularly change air filters and wash the vents with a damp rag to keep them free of debris.
5. Ensure Proper Installation
Another top concern around how to prevent bugs from coming through air conditioner vents is whether the unit has had a proper installation. Loose ductwork connections and meager air filters can allow insects into the rest of your system.
The only way to repair improper installation issues is to get help from a professional. A technician can also install air filters in front of your air vents to facilitate improved air quality by preventing bug entry.
6. Resolve Water Leaks
Leaks are an HVAC emergency that requires immediate resolution. Besides costly water damage and HVAC repairs or replacements, a leaky air conditioning system is a significant cause of water-seeking insects like silverfish and mosquitoes. Monitoring your AC system regularly and cleaning moisture as soon as you notice issues will prevent further damage and help you avoid pest infestations.
Professionals have the tools and knowledge to locate leaks quickly and keep them from returning. Common causes of leaks include clogged drain pans or drain lines and frozen coils.
7. Get Regular AC Maintenance
One highly effective tip on how to prevent bugs from coming through air conditioner vents is to get regular air conditioning maintenance. Besides professional cleaning, HVAC technicians inspect your air conditioner carefully. They can then resolve problems like loose connections, incorrectly installed parts, wear and tear, and other issues that could attract pests to your home.
Getting AC maintenance twice yearly is vital to prepare for the summer and winter months. You can significantly improve your unit’s longevity and ensure pests stay away year-round.
Work with Topline Heating & Air to Prevent Infestations in Your AC Vents
We’ve offered several tips on how to prevent bugs from coming through air conditioner vents. However, the most foolproof solution is maintenance and tune-up of air conditioning unit.
When you work with Topline Heating & Air, you get trusted air conditioning maintenance solutions from skilled professionals with years of expertise. We stay updated on the latest maintenance practices to keep bugs away and maintain your air quality.
We understand what attracts unwanted pests. Therefore, we perform maintenance that greatly reduces their chances of infiltrating your AC system.
Learn more about how to prevent bugs from coming through air conditioner vents from Topline Heating & Air. We have locations in Honey Brook, PA, or Lancaster, PA. Call us today at (717) 628-6825.