How Cottonwood Season Can Affect Your Air Conditioner
The period between late spring and early summer is when cottonwood trees disperse their seeds and the white fluff that comes with them. You’ll see them getting carried by the wind before landing on the ground, where they resemble clumps of snow. While they’re a beautiful sight to behold, these fuzzy bits of cotton that fly around outside can latch onto your outdoor air conditioning unit and inhibit its operation.
As one of the top HVAC companies, we recommend that you keep an eye on your air conditioner during this time of year. Here’s how cottonwood season can affect your home comfort system.
The Destructive Capability of Cottonwood
A single cottonwood tree is enough to cause damage to your outdoor AC unit. It starts with the seeds’ fibers latching onto the coils, which can then get sucked into the condenser coil while the cooling system is in operation. When this happens, airflow across the coil is reduced.
If not addressed right away, the whole AC system may start to operate less efficiently. It will have to work twice as hard to provide consistent indoor cooling, which then increases your monthly utility bill. Eventually, the moving parts begin to malfunction, which can expedite wear and tear on the whole unit. The compressor, for instance, may overheat, requiring you to have an expensive replacement installed.
Protecting Your Outdoor AC Unit
For air conditioning companies, fending off the white fluff from cottonwood trees starts with thoroughly cleaning your AC system. This might sound like a simple task that you can do on your own, but it would be best to hire a professional to do it for you. Cleaning it yourself can do more harm than good, as the seeds may be further embedded into the coils.
You can’t do anything about cottonwood trees that aren’t planted on your property. However, if they’re in your yard and removing them isn’t an option, you can take advantage of the services of an arborist that can help keep the trees from producing this troublesome fluff.
Stone Heating and Air is one of the top home heating companies in the area. We offer a wide range of services, from HVAC repair and replacement to service maintenance agreements and duct cleaning. Learn more about our products and services by calling (541) 855-5521 or filling out our contact form to request an appointment.
Category: air conditioning
Tags: AC system, hvac maintenance
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