How Your HVAC System Can Ward Off Mosquitoes

How Your HVAC System Can Ward Off Mosquitoes

May 29, 2018
outside-of-home

How Your HVAC System Can Ward Off MosquitoesMosquitoes make it difficult to enjoy our warm Florida climate without experiencing bites that leave itchy, red welts. These bloodsucking pests are more than just a irritating nuisance, though — they’re carriers of the nasty pathogens responsible for serious illnesses like malaria, dengue fever, West Nile and Zika. Given that the range of such diseases is expanding, you need to use multiple methods to avoid mosquito bites.

Using your HVAC as a mosquito repellant can help, and here’s some advice on how to do it:

Keep Your Indoor Air Well Conditioned

Cold-blooded mosquitoes prefer an environment that’s humid and about 80 degrees. Having an HVAC system that’s able to effectively dehumidify and cool your home can help make it inhospitable to mosquitoes. If any do decide to come inside, they’ll follow the trail of carbon dioxide from your exhaled breath to find their next meal. The flow of cool air from your HVAC system being circulated through the house disrupts a mosquito’s tracking ability and makes it harder to pinpoint your exact location.

Maintain Good Condensate Drainage

It’s the female mosquitoes that bite in search of a protein in human blood that aids in their egg development. Once she’s taken a drink, a mosquito looks for a spot where there’s standing water – such as a slow-moving condensate drain – and lays as many as 300 eggs. If you don’t want your condensate drainage system used as a baby mosquito incubator, check it for obstructions regularly, flush out any blockages as needed, and empty/clean the collection pan too.

Look for Technological Advancements

In places around the globe where the spread of malaria is unchecked, HVAC equipment with anti-mosquito technology is now available. Thanks to this kind of advancement, you may soon be able to invest in cooling equipment here at home that features ultrasonic mosquito repellant capabilities. Using sound waves that are safe for humans, these devices have been proven effective for eradicating annoying, disease-carrying mosquitoes.

To learn more ways to use your HVAC system to make day-to-day life more comfortable in your Orlando-area home, contact us at Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).