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With summer in full swing, proper home cooling and general home pest prevention are two major areas that homeowners have to be considering. Did you realize, though, that these two areas may overlap?

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we can tell you some pretty harrowing stories from our experiences with pests attempting to invade HVAC systems. Insects, rodents and various forms of pests may look to these areas for shelter or moisture sources, and may leave droppings and other debris – plus create damage to the system if unchecked. Let’s go over some very general tips for preventing this from happening, including areas where our air conditioner tune-ups will help.

Moisture Control

As we noted above, a popular reason for pests attempting to infiltrate your HVAC system will be to find a moisture source. Many insects thrive in moist environments, especially standing water or damp areas.

For this reason, do your best to limit any such areas. If you notice any condensation building up in or around your AC unit, for instance, contact our pros about the possible causes and how to remedy them. If any of your ducts or plumbing pipes are leaking, ensure these are fixed immediately. Finally, if your humidity is too high in certain areas, consider a dehumidifier to assist with this.

Duct Sealing

Other pests might just be looking for a place to live, and one of the easiest such areas for them to find will be leaks in your ducts. Even small leaks open up areas for pests to enter through, plus will result in lost air that ups your energy bill each month. Do a regular visual inspection of your ducts and seal any minor gaps or holes.

Vent Screen Covers

For homes that contain external air vents to the outdoors, ensure all such openings are covered with aluminum wire mesh. These covers will allow the proper air flow without opening up a direct access point for pests.

Pest Spraying

At least semi-annually, the exterior of your home and various HVAC equipment should be sprayed for standard pests. Some handy homeowners might be able to perform this service on their own, but be sure you know what you’re doing here before you get started – if you’re even somewhat unsure of any area here, professional pest control spraying services are generally affordable.

HVAC Maintenance

Finally, be sure to schedule regular maintenance for HVAC components like the air conditioner and furnace. Our technicians can spot any potential risks of pest infestation, such as condensation buildup in your AC condenser or issues with your duct and air flow system.

For more on preventing pest infestations from reaching your HVAC equipment this summer, or to learn about any of our plumbing or air services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

If you’re considering finishing your home’s basement, arranging for proper heating and air components is often among your first steps. While finished basements may or may not end up containing plumbing, depending on your precise needs and desires, virtually all of them will require basic HVAC setups to make them comfortable and livable.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, our expert team of plumbers, electricians and HVAC professionals is here to help you with any and all such services within your home. Let’s go over some basic tips on hiring the proper professionals for this kind of job, the heating and cooling areas you’ll need to consider for a finished basement, and a couple other tips to help prevent any long-term issues in the new space.

Hiring the Right Team

So why is it important to involve HVAC professionals in a basement finishing project, anyway? Well, for several reasons. One such reason is the potential need for permits, which could be the case in your area if you’re installing ductwork, getting certain pieces of new equipment or making major additions to certain parts of the system.

In addition, HVAC contractors can help with large pieces of equipment like furnaces or hot water heaters. We’ll assist you with concealing these items but not closing them off entirely, plus ensuring you meet accessibility requirements for the space.

HVAC Areas to Assess

A couple general areas to think about when it comes to a finished basement and HVAC equipment:

  • Space: Finishing a basement means adding significant extra square footage to the area of your home that requires heating and air services. This means you’ll want to take a hard look at your current equipment, such as your furnace and AC unit, to ensure they can handle this additional space. In some cases, the more efficient move will be to replace a component or upgrade the system for this reason.
  • Purpose: What will the finished basement be used for? Will it be an occasional fun space for the kids, or will someone in the home be living in the space on a daily basis? These questions will help you determine what kind of temperature control you need in the basement, including whether you might require a zoned thermostat system.

Moisture and Air Quality

Another vital area our pros will help you with is ensuring you have proper drainage, waterproofing and dehumidifying solutions present in the finished basement. Basement spaces are more prone than others in the home to moisture and condensation issues that may lead to mold or other air quality concerns, but the right simple precautions taken here will prevent these risks entirely.

For more on how our HVAC pros can help you finish your basement, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the pros at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.