Cottonwood trees are dropping their seeds all over southeast Michigan, collecting on sidewalks, playgrounds, and, unfortunately, air conditioning units.
The little white puffs that send seeds drifting through the wind can easily end up in your HVAC unit.
Adam Helfman from Hire It Done says that if it isn’t removed, the cottonwood fluff could create efficiency problems, causing your air conditioning to pump twice as hard to keep things cool.
“If the sides of this are plugged or restricted, the efficiency of your air conditioner gets reduced by up to half, which means it runs twice as hard, twice as long as it reduces its lifespan,” said Helfman, who suggests doing quick weekly cleans during cottonwood season, which goes from May-June.
Your first option is to use a garden hose.
Helfman suggests angling the hose and directing a stream of low-pressure water to the side slats of your air conditioning unit.
He places extra emphasis on low-pressure water.
“If you have a power washer and you have it at full blast, you’re going to ruin your air conditioner.”
Your next option is to use a soft brush to brush away the cottonwood gently.
If you’re not much of a do-it-yourselfer, he says you could always hire a technician to come out and service your HVAC unit for you, which would likely cost between $150 and $175.
Other things you can do to prevent buildup during these last few weeks of cottonwood season?
Helfman suggests installing a mesh or filter around your air conditioner to catch seeds and clean them regularly.
Lastly, he suggests keeping a 2-3 foot radius around your unit to keep it debris-free. He says raking up fallen cotton is key to preventing buildup.