It’s unfortunate, but not unusual, to hear animals scampering around in the attic on occasion. But did you know these persistent critters can also find their way into your home’s ductwork? If you suspect that animals have taken up residence inside, act fast to prevent damage and costly HVAC repairs. Here’s what you need to know about the effect these pests can have on the ducts.

How Animals Can Impact Your Home’s Ducts

1. Surface Damage

Intrepid animals, such as raccoons, squirrels, mice, and rats, can chew through different and very common duct materials like sheet metal or fiberglass. The openings left behind lead to air leakage. If they don’t eat their way through the material, they might compromise its integrity in other ways, like bending or cracking it.

2. Strong Odors

It can be disturbing to learn that animals are inside your ducts, but even worse to discover they may have expired inside. You may not even realize there’s an issue until you detect a strong odor coming from select vents. A qualified HVAC repair and duct inspection expert can usually trace the animal’s approximate location. The problem here isn’t just a harsh odor, but also the potential for contaminants, such as maggots, fleas, and bacteria, to settle in the duct. Soil may also develop on insulation, in which case, the technician will remove the material and replace it with new insulation.

3. Reduced Efficiency

Naturally, damaged ducts can impact the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system. As air leaks out, the system needs to work harder than usual to reach your desired temperature setting. That could cause it to burn out, lead to more frequent HVAC repairs, and reduce its life expectancy considerably. If you notice an increase in your bills and can’t attribute it to another cause, schedule a duct inspection to make sure your system isn’t compromised.

Animals can pose a major problem if they take up residence inside your ductwork. If you suspect an issue or simply want to schedule an inspection, trust in the experts at Johnson’s Heating Air Conditioning & Refrigeration in Calera, OK. Serving homeowners and businesses throughout Bryan and Grayson counties, these heating and air conditioning professionals use state-of-the-art video equipment to obtain a deeper view of your ducts. They also perform HVAC repairs, new installations, and general preventative maintenance. Visit the website to find out more, or call (580) 434-7215 to arrange an estimate.