Cottonwoods: Fluff Can Kill Your HVAC Systems

Wisconsin is getting a snowstorm of another type this summer. If you have ever wondered, “What is the cotton-like stuff floating in the air?”, it is probably cottonwood fluff. Some people mistakenly call it dogwood fluff. Cottonwood trees release these white fluffy seeds, and they float for miles.

Those soft, white fluff particles may seem harmless, but they spread everywhere. They coat parking lots, rooftops, loading docks, and especially your building’s HVAC systems.

The bloom may last only a few weeks, but the problems it causes? Those can stick around all summer.

What Is Cottonwood Fluff and Why Does It Matter?

When cottonwood trees start to produce pollen and cottonwood seeds, the white fluff in the air is part of their life cycle. This harmless-looking fluff can cause big problems for your air conditioning systems. This is especially true for commercial or industrial facilities.

Once in the air, cottonwood seeds can easily get into your air conditioner. This is especially true for outdoor units like rooftop HVAC systems. The biggest target? Your condenser coils.

When airflow gets blocked, your system loses efficiency and has to work harder to maintain temperature. That means higher energy usage and more wear and tear.

It doesn’t stop there. When coils get clogged, strain builds up in the whole system. This can cause breakdowns, unexpected shutdowns, and frustrating emergency calls during busy summer times.

“The condenser coils get caked in the cottonwood fluff,” says Dave Taylor, service manager for Hurckman Mechanical Industries. “The majority of our calls this summer have been due to cleaning condenser coils, and this isn’t a job we’d call ‘do-it-yourself,’” he said.

Cottonwood Isn’t the Only Issue—Bugs Add to the Problem

Taylor also notes another overlooked problem: cotton in the air doesn’t just bring fluff—it brings bugs.

Spring and early summer are the busiest time of year for insect hatching. The cotton floating in the air can draw them into your outdoor HVAC units. Once inside, they circulate through the system and into your facility. It’s messy and it compromises air quality.

Why Commercial HVAC Systems Need Preventative Maintenance

This isn’t just a homeowner issue. In commercial and industrial buildings, clogged systems cause more than just inconvenience. They lead to downtime, lost productivity, and higher costs. Especially if your building is temperature-sensitive, like food production, labs, or data centers.

Hurckman’s Peak Performance Maintenance plan has more than 40 inspection and cleaning points. This helps facilities like yours avoid seasonal problems. Our team cleans condenser coils and removes cottonwood and insects from the air. We check refrigerant levels and make sure your system is ready for high summer temperatures.

“We clean the condenser coils, check the entire system and make sure it’s ready for summer,” Taylor said.

Your Cottonwood Checklist: What to Watch For

Even if you don’t have cottonwood trees on your property, they don’t need to be close. These trees can grow up to 100 feet tall and their fluff can travel for miles. It’s enough to coat HVAC equipment across rooftops, suck into fan systems, and cover fresh air intakes.

If you’re seeing cottonwood floating in the air, especially near spring and early summer, it’s time to schedule maintenance. Otherwise, your systems could be running at 70% capacity—or worse, shut down entirely by mid-season.

Protect Your HVAC System—and Your Facility

This isn’t just about efficiency. Cottonwood in air and pollen can aggravate seasonal allergies and contribute to poor indoor air quality. Fluff and debris in coils also increase the chance of fire hazards and overall system failure.

If your facility depends on reliable air conditioning, you can’t afford to ignore seasonal threats. Let our team get ahead of the issue for you.

Schedule HVAC Services Before Cottonwood Season Peaks

Whether you’re dealing with eastern cottonwoods, maple fluff, or other trees that produce airborne debris, Hurckman can help you prepare. Our technicians are trained to spot buildup early and keep your systems running strong through every time of year.

Want to know what’s included in our Peak Performance Maintenance plan? Check it out here.

Need quick HVAC services on a rooftop unit or cooling system? Get in touch with our HVAC team.

Cottonwood season might be short—but its effects can linger long past the bloom.