Your backyard might be your pet’s favourite playground, but it’s also home to your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser unit – a tempting target for pets. Discover why protecting your HVAC system from your furry friend is essential, and how to do it.
How Your Dog Can Damage Your AC Unit
Despite what your pup thinks, your AC unit is actually not a fire hydrant. Dog urine is highly acidic and can rapidly corrode the aluminum fins and copper coils of your outdoor unit, which are vital for efficient heat transfer. This damage reduces the AC’s efficiency and can lead to costly repairs.
Damage to Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s condenser coils release heat from inside your home. However, the acidic nature of pet urine can corrode these coils over time, leading to leaks and reducing your AC’s ability to keep your home cool.
Damage to Aluminum Fins
The aluminum fins on your unit work to dissipate heat. Pet urine damages these fins, and reduces the surface area available for heat transfer, forcing your AC to work much harder.
Lower Efficiency, Higher Bills
Due to the damaged coils and fins, your AC is working overtime to keep you cool. This leads to an increase in both energy consumption and your monthly energy bills.
Potential For Leaks
In the case that your unit has been severely damaged by corrosion, it can experience refrigerant leaks. This is bad news because refrigerant plays a vital role in the cooling of your home. With leaks, a professional is required to repair and refill the system.
Electrical Problems
Urine has the ability to damage electrical wiring, which poses a major safety hazard for you and your dog.
Unappealing Odours
It’s no secret that dried urine is not the best smell. In fact, it leaves behind a persistent and unpleasant odour that can impact the air quality of your space. With a few simple tips, you can avoid this mess.
How to Keep Fido Away From Your AC
Thankfully, there are simple steps you can follow to mitigate the problem of pet marking. You can:
- Keep an eye on your four-legged friend during bathroom breaks.
- Incorporate fencing made of chicken wire or another pet-safe material.
- Place shrubs or bushes around the AC to create a natural and aesthetic barrier between your outdoor unit and dog.
Is your air conditioner struggling due to pet marking?
Contact Team Harding For Repairs and Replacements!
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Team Harding has been Ottawa’s leading home comfort specialist since 1994. We are a family-owned and operated local business and all of our installers and technicians are fully licensed.
