Insect screen over furnace exterior vent can save big money

[RoyF]

Just paid a big bill to have dirt dauber nests removed from RV furnace. Dealer said furnace was heating at only about 50% due to reduced air intake. Wasps got in at furnace exterior vent.

Installed inexpensive insect screen over furnace exterior vent to keep little buggers out in the future. I've still got things to learn about RVing. Wish someone had told me the story about dirt daubers and furnaces.

[mlts22]

Especially if the bugs are still using them as their registered domicile.

[OldRadios]

Cleaning a screen once in awhile is a heck of a lot easier than removing mud dauber and wasp nests.

[Ramblin_Recks]

I went through the "mess" of mud daubers in my TT 5 years ago. Don't want to re-live taking the furnace apart to clean it, especially when you need the furnace for heat.... so I have had screens ever since. Keep them clean, no problems.

[mlts22]

I bought screens for my furnace... and of course, the mud dauber wasps ended up making their nest in the A/C unit. Ironic life sometimes.

[falconman]

Are there any actual true accounts of these screens causing a problem?
It seems all the problems with these appliances come from bugs getting into the unit.
I'll keep my screens.

[Iraqvet05]

My dealer recommended the screens but I'm guessing they just wanted to sell me something from the parts department the day I picked up the TT. I don't believe we have a big mud dauber problem (no lakes or standing water by our storage lot) but I'm leary of wasps and moths finding their way into the those cavaties. We had a moth die in the main ignition burner tube in our home furnace a few years ago and it cost me $100 to find and remove him...apparently they like the smell of sulfur. I'll add cleaning the screens to my annual maintenance list but I'm keeping them in place.

[fj12ryder]

popeyemth wrote:
I believe the slight airflow restriction on a fridge intake door can be more than compensated for with a single computer cooling fan, but don't have any facts to back that up just off the cuff figuring.

My thoughts exactly. When the original fan started making noise I replaced it with 2 waterproof units.

[Ozlander]

RoyF wrote:
Wish someone had told me the story about dirt daubers and furnaces.

Now somebody is telling you about mud daubers and water heaters and refers.

[popeyemth]

I believe the slight airflow restriction on a fridge intake door can be more than compensated for with a single computer cooling fan, but don't have any facts to back that up just off the cuff figuring.

[dougrainer]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
NOPE......

The air flow balance is so close/critical to proper combustion that the intake/exhaust are wide open with NO restrictions.

Due to that....neither mfg. recommends the screens be installed.

They do NOT allow Screens for a simple reason. They are afraid that WITH the screens, the intake can draw in outside debris, like weeping willow or other floating debris and clog the screen and cause unsafe air/fuel mixture. ALL state having them will void the warranty. I advise customers to remove them if they bring them in for warranty work. We sell but do NOT install them due to the manufacturers warnings. Installing ANY type screen material on a Refer outside vent door will DECREASE cooling capacity due to the air restriction the screens cause, but this is for when it is hot outside. When it is cool, those screens do not cause a ventilation problem on a refer. I WOULD install the bug screens on MY appliances except for the refer door. Doug

[DutchmenSport]

Remove them because they get hot when the furnace is on. It's a COYA for the screen manufacturers so they won't get sued if someone burns themselves on one.

Do I remove mine? No!

[ScottG]

down home wrote:
I've held off putting screens in or on because of cautions from mfg.
However one of the furnaces, fan was making a racket. It had a mud dauber nest on it.
Wouldn't hurt to have them on the furnaces, in summer. Pull them off when cold so no ice forms on them.
Maybe some kind ,of stick on base, for when you are parked and not using the RV.

They're held on with little springs so it's easy to take them back off when ever you want and it will leave no marks.

[down_home]

I've held off putting screens in or on because of cautions from mfg.
However one of the furnaces, fan was making a racket. It had a mud dauber nest on it.
Wouldn't hurt to have them on the furnaces, in summer. Pull them off when cold so no ice forms on them.
Maybe some kind ,of stick on base, for when you are parked and not using the RV.

[fj12ryder]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
NOPE......

The air flow balance is so close/critical to proper combustion that the intake/exhaust are wide open with NO restrictions.

Due to that....neither mfg. recommends the screens be installed.

I don't think so.

I've used screens on my last two 5th wheels on the fridge and water heater vents. And the aftermarket hemispherical screens on the furnace intake. No mud dauber nests and no issues with anything not working properly. YMMV.