Picture this: you’re hanging out with your friends and family members in the yard celebrating the 4th of July. There’s plenty of food going around, the drinks are flowing and you’re having a blast. All of a sudden you smell smoke and notice your tiki torch fell onto the air conditioning unit. Then all hell breaks loose!

Safety should always be a top priority and your air conditioning unit is no exception. Here are some of the items you should keep away from the area especially during the summer months:

Bushes

Avoid planting a garden or shrubs around the unit as it can make it difficult for service technicians to tiptoe around when it comes time for maintenance.

It’s also vital to keep all vegetation 2-3 feet away from the unit to allow for proper airflow at all times.

Debris

When tending to your lawn this summer, direct the mower away from the unit.

Be careful not to allow grass clippings or weed to enter the vents as they can restrict airflow or cause damage to the aluminum fins. You’ll also want to be extra cautious when using a weed wacker near the unit as the spinning cables can easily cut the wires.

Tiki torches

They should be placed at least 6 feet away from the house and other structures. Keep in mind large flames could be blown by the wind and catch nearby items on fire.

Fireworks

When it comes to fireworks, it’s best to leave it to the pros. Sparks do fly and accidents do happen. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Birds

Birds commonly use air conditioners as their stomping grounds. Their droppings are not only unsightly but can cause disease to spread through the air you’re breathing in.

Keep them away by removing bird baths and feeders, and by safely and cautiously getting rid of any nesting material you find around your unit.

For more information about how to best keep your A/C unit operating at optimum levels, feel free to check out our blog and don’t hesitate to contact us for all your A/C maintenance or replacement needs.