How Can Fallen Leaves Damage An HVAC System
As the seasons change, the environment changes. For example, in the autumn, the leaves turn to brilliant colors, and for the most part, people’s moods improve. It is no longer blistering hot outside, and people start looking forward to the holidays. It also means that the leaves are going to fall from the trees.
While it might look nice to see beautifully colored leaves scattered on the ground, it isn’t the best thing for your home HVAC system.
If you don’t clean up the leaves right away, these leaves can create big problems. To prevent damage to your HVAC unit, you should be aware of the damage that can be done.
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Your heating and air conditioning system requires a lot of maintenance. Below are some tips on how to prevent fallen leaves from damaging your heating and cooling system.
What Sort Of Problems Can Leaves Create For Your HVAC System?
For starters, HVAC equipment is delicate. It cannot be blocked at any time. Most modern systems today have exhaust pipes that lead outdoors. Typically, this won’t pose any problems because they are often fitted with screens that are designed to keep objects and wild animals out. Unfortunately, these screens are not intended for smaller things, such as leaves that fall off the trees in the fall. They can easily block the screens which can lead to mechanical issues.
The compressors can become clogged by falling leaves which can cause significant problems. Most of the newer systems have outdoor units that hold the compressor. When the compressor gets clogged, it can reduce the airflow. Also, clogs are the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria. When this happens, it can result in poor air quality in the home that can lead to health issues for the people who live there.
The biggest problem that you will encounter is that your HVAC system won’t work as effectively as possible, making it difficult to keep your home warm in the winter. If your system needs to work harder, it can result in higher energy bills. It will put more wear and tear on your HVAC system, resulting in a shorter lifespan for the unit.
How Do I Prevent The Fallen Leaves From Damaging My HVAC Unit?
There are steps that you can take to keep leaves from causing issues for your HVAC system.
First, you should rake the leaves as often as possible and move them away from the home. It is recommended to do this once a week if possible. When you are raking, be sure to do so in the opposite direction from the outtake pipes or the furnace intake. If you are raking toward the unit, it will make matters worse.
Most people plant trees and shrubs to make the yard look beautiful. However, they can interfere with the way that your HVAC system operates. When panting, you should do so as far from the compressor as possible. It is best to keep at least three feet of the area around the compressor clear.
If there is a great deal of foliage or debris around the compressor, you should get rid of it right away. Before you start removing the debris, turn your HVAC system off first. Next, open it up and clear the debris away carefully. While doing this, make sure that you don’t damage the equipment. Removing the debris will ensure that your system will work as efficiently as possible.
The last thing that you need to do is schedule an appointment with a professional HVAC company for a tuneup on your system. Professional maintenance is something that should be done every year. A licensed HVAC tech knows how to deal with fallen leaves quickly and easily. During this check, you should talk to the tech and ask for recommendations on how to deal with the problem. You can also ask about ways to improve the efficiency of your system.
Professional HVAC companies recommended regular tune-ups to reduce your energy cost, improve the performance of the system, and to extend its lifespan. The cost of a tuneup is a small investment when you consider what a high return you will get.
Conclusion
Fallen leaves can cause severe issues if you don’t remove them quickly.
If you want your home to be heated all winter long, you should remove the leaves and have your HVAC system tuned up. You want to always work with a professional HVAC contractor.
At R.F. Ohl, we provide a full range of HVAC services including heating and cooling installations, repairs, and routine maintenance. Each of our techs in NATE certified, which means that they are highly trained and skilled.
We guarantee that each of our techs is friendly, professional, and highly experienced. Best of all, each of our services are very affordable. To schedule an appointment to have your system inspected and maintained, give R.F. Ohl a call today.
Some of the areas we service include Bowmanstown, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Summit Hill, and these zip codes: 18030, 18229, 18235, 18250 as well as all surrounding areas in Carbon County, Monroe County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, and Schuylkill County.
Click here to contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.