Categories: hvac

How to Pest-Proof Your Home

Most pests prefer to nest in dark enclosed spaces like your HVAC system’s ductwork. In addition to health risks, pests can cause HVAC damage by chewing through electrical wires, getting stuck in the ductwork and hampering airflow. 

 

What are the ways you can pest-proof your HVAC system? Here are some of them:

 

 

Seal All Possible Points of Entry

 

Have a professional inspect your exterior for any gaps through which pests can infiltrate your home. These gaps not only serve as an entry point for pests, but also leak warm and cold air. As such, they could be the culprit behind higher heating and cooling costs. 

 

HVAC Tip: Have your local HVAC contractors install vent covers on your home’s exhaust vents, where birds and other pests tend to nest. There are several kinds of vents, but aluminum wire mesh covers arguably provide better pest control. 

 

Keep Your Home Clutter-Free

 

Pests usually enter homes in search of food and shelter. They’re less likely to try and infiltrate your home if it’s interior is clutter-free and trash cans are kept closed and situated away from the perimeter of the house.

 

Have a Technician Seal Your HVAC System’s Air Ducts

 

As an added precaution, you should have local HVAC contractors seal your HVAC system’s air ducts. Gaps and cracks in your air ducts are a lot more common than you might think. According to the Department of Energy, the average home loses roughly 20% to 30% of its conditioned air through gaps in the air ducts. 

 

Schedule an HVAC Inspection at Least Twice a Year

 

As a good rule of thumb, you should have your HVAC system inspected by a technician at least twice a year, ideally in the spring and fall. Through routine inspections, HVAC technicians will spot any gaps in the ductwork and fix them before pests can use them as an entry point. 

 

One more thing: make sure only professional technicians handle HVAC construction jobs, inspections and repairs.

 

Vetting Tip: In general, the more experienced a contractor is, the higher their level of expertise. 

 

HVAC Construction, a family-owned contractor with more than three decades of experience, offers a wide range of professional HVAC services. To schedule an appointment, call us at (801) 298-4822 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as the surrounding communities.

Jodi Hugoe

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