When we consider our furry four legged friends and the destruction that they can cause, we often think of torn up furniture and pillows and yellow stains on the carpet. We may train our dogs to mind their manners indoors and teach them to do their business outdoors, but many of us are forgetting to protect one of our most expensive investments from the effects of our pets. The Air Conditioner unit is especially vulnerable to damage done by male dogs and their urine. Although it is not pleasant to picture, dog urine could be literally eating away at your air conditioner, and the longer the problem goes unchecked, the more damage that is done.
Damaged Condenser
Dog urine contains chemicals that are very good at eating away at metals, especially aluminum. Unfortunately, many air conditioner fins and coils are coated in this metal, and with time the fins become dust and the coils begin to leak. A leak in coils means that the unit is no longer a closed system. The refrigerant will leak out, and in a matter of hours or days the system could be emptied completely. When this happens to your unit, you risk burning out the condenser, and the holes created by the urine are often enough to destroy the unit completely. This entire process could happen in about a year’s time, and once that damage has reached this magnitude, replacement is really your only option.
How Can I Protect My A/C?
If you already have this problem or if you notice your dog has been using your air conditioner as a toilet, call Apollo Heating & Air. If the problem has not yet progressed to a leak or destruction of the fins, you may be able to save the system. First an expert technician from Apollo Heating & Air will clean the coils and repair any issues that the unit may have. Next, you will need protective fence installed around the air conditioner to keep your dog from repeating the problem.
If your unit is in need of replacement, Apollo Heating & Air can help.. We offer several different system options to fit nearly any budget. Call Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning for a free in-home estimate of a replacement system (509)987-1500.
