With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, chances are you’ve been focusing your efforts on keeping your yard nice and tidy. A well-kept lawn and landscaping can do more than just improve your home’s aesthetics. It can also help your HVAC system operate at peak condition.
Believe it or not, an unkempt yard can do a number on your HVAC system without you realizing it:
- Nearby stray leaves can get sucked through the bottom of the outdoor HVAC unit, potentially clogging the condenser coil within.
- Uncut grasses can crowd the bottom of the unit, slowing down or even stopping airflow into the HVAC unit. The unit can’t expel heat from the outdoor HVAC unit unless there’s a steady flow of air to carry it away.
- Fallen twigs and branches from nearby bushes or overhead trees can strike the condenser fan during operation, leaving behind dents and other damage.
- Uncontrolled root growth from nearby trees and shrubs can cause the HVAC unit’s concrete pad to shift or crack, resulting in expensive damage.
Regular yard maintenance can help you avoid many of the above pitfalls. However, you’ll also want to protect your HVAC while you’re doing your yard work. Here are a few tips that can help you safeguard your HVAC system:
- Use a thick, durable tarp to cover your HVAC system during your yard work. You’ll want to make sure your HVAC system isn’t operating while it’s covered.
- Use a lawn mower that’s equipped with a grass catcher to prevent grass clippings from being left behind. Like stray leaves, grass clippings can be sucked into the HVAC unit.
- Make a point to double-check the HVAC system once you’re done with your yard work. This can help you spot and remove any leftover debris that made his way into the unit during your work.
- Use your garden hose to rinse off any pollen or debris that’s stuck to the HVAC unit’s condenser coil.
If you have any questions about HVAC maintenance for your Dayton home, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Ace Hardware Home Services today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
