How to Keep Cottonwood Out of Air Conditioner
Cottonwood leaves and seeds can clog air conditioning unit filters, which will cause the AC to stop working. Therefore, cottonwood should be gathered and disposed of before it sheds its leaves in late summer. Cottonwoods grow throughout southern areas of the United States. These trees produce many seedpods filled with cottony seeds that easily attach themselves to clothing or pets as they walk around on them.
Cottonwoods also produce large numbers of small, messy leaves that can float through open windows and get into vents for air conditioners, where they’ll eventually build up over time until your AC stops working correctly because its filter is too clogged. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to prevent this problem. This post will discuss how to keep cottonwood out of air conditioner so that your air conditioning system will work as efficiently as possible all summer long!
Why Should You Keep Cottonwood Out of Air Conditioner?
1. Cottonwood is a tree from the Populus genus, which also includes aspen and willow. This means that all three of these trees have leaves with the same crystalline shape.
2. The cottonwood leaf has long stalks that are equal in length to its small oval leaflets.
3. The cottonwood leaf is shaped like a teardrop with jagged edges.
4. Cottonwood has branches that hang down and then sweep up after growing for a while.
5. The cottonwood leaf has a distinctive odor, which can be particularly strong after it gets wet.
6. Cottonwood leaves will visibly change color in the fall to gold or orange.
7. If your home is already infested with cottonwoods, you should contact an extermination company for immediate service. If not, then there’s no need to worry.
8. If you’re dealing with cottonwoods in your air conditioner, then the cottonwood seeds will be stuck in between your machine’s inner workings.
8 Methods on How to Keep Cottonwood Out of Air Conditioner:
Method 1:
Clean your gutters regularly to prevent leaves and debris from clogging them. Clogged gutters can cause moisture to build up and form ice dams, which can lead to leaks or damage to your roof. Too much debris in your gutters can also weigh them down and cause them to detach from your house.
Method 2:
Keep the roof clean with regular pressure washing, mainly after storms have occurred. Leaves are heavy, so they settle on roofs, decks, patios, sidewalks, etc., quickly during the fall months when there is moderate wind combined with leaves falling at a high rate.
If these leaves remain on the roof after a few storms, they will begin to decompose and create an environment where mold can grow, which may lead to wood rot. Also, no debris must be allowed to collect on these areas as this can lean up against air conditioners and cause them to malfunction or even fall off entirely.
Method 3:
Keep gutters and patios free of debris by using a blower during the months when the leaf is abundant. If possible, do this weekly, at most monthly; however, any structural damage or ice dams begin to form due to large amounts of water collecting on the roof and not draining properly, it may be necessary to clean more frequently.
Method 4:
Clear air conditioner covers of debris to allow proper ventilation and airflow. If this is not done, a buildup can begin, which can cause bacteria or mold to grow. It may also prevent the unit from functioning correctly, as it cannot clean itself if any coolants have been left on for too long.
Method 5:
Remove any debris from skirting near air conditioners. This is especially important if the unit is not on the ground level as water may not flow under it but instead collect at its feet. If this happens, standing water can attract mosquitos and other insects; mold can also grow and be harmful to people with allergies or asthma.
Method 6:
Make sure all your windows and doors are properly sealed to keep bugs out at night when they’re attracted to warmth and light. Also, check that there are no gaps around your home’s foundation, which could let small insects like ants and spiders inside.
If these pests can gain entry, they can cause much damage, such as leaving behind a chemical scent in the air conditioner which will be noticeable when turned on for the first time each year if not properly taken care of.
Method 7:
Ensure that any lattice or trellis surrounding an air conditioner is completely sealed and debris-free. If it is not, bugs and small animals can access the unit and either damage or make it completely inoperable.
This includes rodents like mice and rats who may decide to build a nest behind the compressor, leading to overheating and damage if left alone for too long.
Method 8:
Ensure that no debris such as leafy branches or bushes is touching the outside of an air conditioner. If this happens, water will collect on these areas and cause standing pools if it has nowhere else to go.
In addition, standing water can damage appliances such as air conditioners by allowing mold to grow behind the compressor, leading to expensive repairs.
Conclusion:
There are a few things that will work well. First, you could buy an in-duct filter for the outside vents or try using one on the inside. The best option is probably to clean up any debris around your property so no food is available for them to eat, causing itchy eyes and allergies.
A good vacuum might also help by removing any seeds floating about in the area near where they live, which would act as bait for these pesky critters! If you have any additional questions about how to keep cottonwood out of the air conditioner, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to assist!
