Had a call the other day for an AC unit that wouldn’t start. After some digging, I found a squirrel had made a nest in the electrical compartment. Guess I can’t blame him for not wanting to spend summer in the heat, but man, we just don’t have enough nuts and bolts for that kind of guest! Always a reminder to check for critters when doing preventative maintenance.
I had a job last summer where a raccoon took over a fan unit — turns out, they prefer the sound of air conditioning over the tree branches! Always check the outside unit for uninvited guests — makes a world of difference.
I’ve definitely dealt with my share of critters too! Just last month, I had to evict a family of birds from a rooftop unit — turns out they thought it was a prime real estate location. Always good to do a thorough check before closing up.
I’ve had my share of critters too — last fall, a groundhog made itself at home in an outdoor unit; i learned to use some mesh netting to cover the openings when I leave a unit unattended for a while. Just like you said, thorough checks are key; @HVACGuy, any tips on keeping them out for good?