We received an air conditioning service call in Nashua, NH last week. Upon inspection the technician immediately saw the problem, mice had chewed through the condensing unit’s insulation, damaging critical components and wiring within the unit.
Surprisingly, this is actually quite common with air conditioning unit failures. Mice are attracted to the insulation around the unit, which makes an ideal nest for these rodents. The telltale signs that this is the problem are mouse droppings around outdoor air units, or even dead mice who have chewed through the electrical wires. In many cases, homeowners don’t even realize that they have a mouse problem until it is too late.
If you do discover that mice have moved in to your air conditioner’s condenser unit the first thing you will want to do is to disconnect the power and inspect the unit for damage, including chewed wires. If you do see damage to the wiring, you will want to discontinue using your air conditioning immediately and call for service. Continuing to run the air conditioner with damaged electrical parts, can result in even more extensive damage.
If there is no damage to the wiring, while the power is still off, wash the exterior of the condenser with a hose and water to remove any mouse droppings.
Mice are determined creatures and can fit into even very small holes, making it a challenge to prevent this type of damage. Some homeowners will try fencing off the area or board it up to prevent mice from getting in. Another option is to try spraying peppermint oil around the condenser, which is known to repel mice. During the months when the air conditioning unit is not in use, place a protective cover over the condenser.
Regularly inspecting the area around the unit will go a long way to preventing extensive damage to your air conditioner caused by mice.
At Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc., our service department is available 24-7 and work on all makes and models of central air conditioners.
Our technicians can help you keep your air conditioner in top shape. Contact us today for your heating and air conditioning needs (833) 222-4667
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