When Rats Invade: How Rodents Damage Your AC Ductwork and Your Home's Air Quality

Cool Air M.D.
Sep 2
2 min read

Insulation with silver foil shows tear labeled "Pest Damage," circled in red. Background has torn yellow and pink insulation.

Nobody wants uninvited guests in their attic—but in Florida, rats and other rodents often find their way inside. Unfortunately, they don’t just make noise at night. They chew, tear, and leave behind damage that can destroy your ductwork and put your home’s air quality at risk.

🐀 How Rodents Wreak Havoc in HVAC ductwork Systems

Chewed Ductwork: Rodents gnaw holes in flexible ducts, letting conditioned air escape and attic dust get pulled in. That means higher energy bills and poor indoor air quality.
Contamination: Droppings, urine, and nesting material inside ductwork circulate through your system, affecting every room of your home.
Chewed Wires & Linesets: Beyond ducts, rodents target refrigerant lines and electrical wiring—leading to leaks, electrical shorts, or complete system shutdowns.
Efficiency Loss: Even small duct holes can drastically reduce system efficiency, forcing your AC to run longer and work harder.

⚠️ Why This Is a Serious Problem

Rodents damage in ac ductwork isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a health and safety risk. Breathing in contaminated air from chewed ducts can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. Left unchecked, rodent damage can lead to:

Costly duct replacements
Refrigerant leaks from damaged linesets
Fire hazards from chewed electrical wiring

🛠 What You Can Do

Listen and Look: Scratching noises in the attic or warm/cool spots in the house may point to duct leaks.
Inspect Regularly: Periodically check your attic and ductwork for signs of damage.
Call Professionals: If rodents invade, you’ll need both pest control and HVAC experts to stop the infestation and repair the damage.

Final Thoughts

Rodents may be small, but the damage they cause to HVAC systems is huge. From chewed ductwork to destroyed line sets, they compromise both your comfort and your health.

👉 If you suspect rodent damage in your ductwork, call Cool Air M.D. We’ll inspect, repair, and restore your system so your air stays clean and your home stays safe.