How Do Leaves Affect Your Home’s HVAC?

Falling leaves are usually a welcome sight at the end of summer, when we say farewell to hot weather and hello to cool breezes of autumn. But all those leaves on the ground have a way of blowing around and collecting where we don’t want them — including around the outdoor unit of our air conditioners.

If you’ve already turned your air conditioner off when the leaves start falling, they may not be an issue, other than for their unsightliness. On the other hand, if you’re likely to turn the A/C on now and then for warmer days in fall you may want to remove them for outdoor HVAC unit protection.

Clearing Leaves Around the HVAC

Keeping leaves clear of the HVAC unit ensures that they won’t impede air flow in the condenser. Without good air flow, the unit cannot exhaust hot air from the indoors, and the cooling process will be compromised.

Leaves that are left around the A/C condenser might also signal to mice or other creatures that they can burrow in for the winter. They may find the protected environment of the unit particularly inviting.

While clearing away leaves, also trim back any weeds, grass or other vegetation around the unit. Clear away shrubbery, creating at least a 2-foot space so the condenser can exhaust warm air. Also, check for any overhanding branches that might fall on the unit in a storm,

You may also want to cover up the top opening of the condenser so that leaves don’t fall inside. In general, the outdoor unit of your HVAC system is strong enough to withstand the elements without a cover. Covers may also encourage critters to take up winter residence in the unit. But if you decide you want a cover make sure you get a commercially manufactured one designed for the purpose, so that it does not promote the formation of condensation — which can corrode your unit. Do not wrap the unit up in a tarp.

For more about outdoor HVAC unit protection, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning. We serve Lorain and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.