Although our beloved cats and dogs can be bundles of joy at home, there are some substantial drawbacks to having pets. Some of these disadvantages include allergens, fur shedding and extra cleaning, which can have a considerable impact on your HVAC system and the quality of your indoor air. To assist you in protecting your valuable HVAC system and keep your family and pets healthier, we at Delaware Heating & Air recommend the following HVAC maintenance tips for cat and dog owners.
HVAC TIPS TO KEEP YOUR AIR QUALITY CLEAN WITH PETS IN YOUR DELAWARE, OHIO, HOME:
FREQUENTLY REPLACE YOUR FURNACE FILTER
When you have cats and dogs shedding their fur in your house, you should check your furnace filter every month and replace it as often as needed. With multiple pets in a home, hair clogs, and dander accumulation on an air filter is prevalent. This accumulation can significantly impair your system’s performance and effectiveness. If it’s happening a lot, a washable, reusable filter might be a wise investment.
KEEP THE PET HAIR FROM ACCUMULATING IN YOUR HOME
It would be ideal to protect your air filter from getting pet hair clogs in the first place or prevent them from happening as often. Vacuuming and cleaning are key. How often you should vacuum depends on the number of pets you have, what kind of fur they have, and how much they shed. Some recommend vacuuming as frequently as every day, to at least a few times per week. The plan is to keep the hair from collecting and keeping it from getting caught in your filter. When cleaning, specialists say you should start from the floor and work your way up, getting your furniture and mattresses, while washing certain clothing items often.
GROOMED PETS ARE HVAC FRIENDLY
The shedding of pet fur is a completely natural and normal process for household animals. With that said, you can do a better job of preventing the hair from gathering in your home by grooming them religiously. Brushing, bathing, and helping your furry ones “de-shed” minimizes their usual shedding and reduces dander. Being proactive like this will give you less fur to have to vacuum and clean up in your home.
MAINTAINING CLEAN AIR DUCTS
Regardless of how rigorously you groom and clean, tiny hairs and particles are bound to get into your HVAC system, especially in your air ducts, and it doesn’t take long to happen. This leads to clogs and harms your home’s indoor air quality, which is another reason why HVAC maintenance is so essential. Experts suggest having an HVAC technician have a look at your ductwork and examine your whole HVAC system every year. Because of this, we recommend you reduce accumulated pet hair and dander, on top of anything else that might have found its way into your duct system.
GUARD YOUR HVAC EQUIPMENT
It’s a fact of life. Pets tend to damage things in your home, one way or another, and your HVAC system is no exception. The most common way dogs damage air conditioners is by urinating on their outdoor condenser unit. The results when this happens can be expensive. To prevent it from happening, we propose you consider building a barrier around that exterior unit. Just be careful not to put it too close to the unit. If you do, it can limit airflow and restrict access to it. That’s why we recommend utilizing a fence-like material to allow air to flow freely. We also recommend you measure the distance around the unit and make sure you give it at least a three-foot perimeter. Other than damaging a condenser unit with urine, dogs have also been known to chew up HVAC wiring in homes. So with dogs, we suggest covering any wires to keep them safe. Lastly, even if you were to maintain a clean home and keep your pets groomed often, your HVAC system will still need expert maintenance every year. Our company, and other professionals, strongly advise homeowners to get a heating tune-up every autumn before winter and a tune-up on your air conditioning every spring before summer.
PETS-FRIENDLY THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
Typically, humans like their home to be in the high 60s or low 70s. Our pets, however, have their own temperature preferences, believe it or not. So while you’re away from the house during the day in the winter, lower your thermostat to the low- to mid-60s. Throughout the summer, however, set it to the low- to mid-70s to keep them cool. Doing this not only keeps them comfortable, but it also allows you to save money on your energy bills while giving your HVAC system a little break.
AIR PURIFIERS FOR PET OWNERS
Is the quality of air in your home compromised because of pet hair, dirt, or dander? Are you or your loved ones affected by allergies? If so, an air purifier might help. Air purifiers help keep your home’s air cleaner and free of dust and dirt and dander. They are not only better for your health, but they are also better for your pet’s well-being. These days, there are a variety of selections these days that will work for your home’s size and the number of pets and family members you have living there.
PROFESSIONAL HELP IS A CALL (OR CLICK) AWAY
If you have pets, or if you don’t have pets, investing in an HVAC maintenance contract from a reputable local company, such as our team, is the best way to keep your system performing at it’s best while lengthening its lifespan. Utilizing preventative steps like this, you can keep your system free of pet hair and dander issues and reduce the need for emergency repairs. If you’d like to hear more about this, or if you have any questions, by all means, please call Delaware Heating & Air today at 740-227-8302, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
Delaware Heating & Air is a five-star-rated family company founded on values. No matter what your purpose for calling us, we always enjoy hearing from you!
