Most homeowners know that their HVAC system needs routine maintenance to operate effectively and efficiently.
However, if you have a pet, there are extra steps you can take to ensure the unit is functioning correctly.
People have pets because they bring hours of joy and laughter.
That is until they cause problems with your heating or air conditioning unit. Luckily for your pet and your system, there are measures to take to protect your animal and your unit.
Whether you have a pet or not, be sure to check your filters so that they are always in good working condition. Having a clean filter has a significant role in your overall HVAC system, including filtering pet dander and pet hair.
The following blog will help you with HVAC maintenance tips for pet owners.
Every home that has a pet wants to have their pet and a healthy HVAC system, and why not have both?
HVAC Maintenance Tips
Air Filters Fight Dust and Dander
Your HVAC air filter helps to keep contaminants from finding its way into your units air distribution and protects the equipment from having dust buildup.
Clogged or dirty air filters force your system to run longer and work harder. Both of these conditions can cause system malfunctions and higher energy bills.
As a homeowner, make sure to clean and change the filter on a regular basis. As a homeowner with a pet, you may need to take a few extra preventative steps to keep fur from clogging the filter, and that will strain the system.
The positive side is all you have to do on your part is make sure you schedule your HVAC tune up throughout the year. You will want to change your filter more when you pet is in its shedding seasons.
Regular grooming and bathing your pet will decrease the amount of fur trapped in the ventilation and will cut down on the pet hair that reaches the filter.
If your filter is restricted, this can push your system to perform harder causing it to freeze up which requires several hours to thaw.
Where There is Hair, There is Dander
Most homeowners with pets are aware of how simple pet hair can clog an air filter, but many forget about pet dander. Little microscopic flakes of skin shed by dogs and cats is what we refer to as dander.
Many individuals are allergic to pet dander, and suffer even more as the result of poor cleaning or lack of replacing the filters.
Filters that become clogged with hair and dander from pets are a nightmare. Ductwork in your home is metal, which causes it to attract pet dander and hair. Your Reno and Sparks area ducts should be cleaned yearly.
Each time the air conditioner or furnace turns on, a mixture of hair and dander blow through the unit. This is the air that you and your family breathe day in and day out.
Bringing in the Outdoors
Every time your pets goes outside, when it comes back, they bring all the fun stuff they came in contact with inside with them. Dust, dirt, and twigs get stuck in your pet’s hair once inside; it can all get stuck in the vents.
Just like with your pet’s hair, dander can easily block vents and clog up the air filters. Be sure to clean your pet each time it comes back inside.
Protect your Outdoor Unit
If your pet, especially if you have dogs, run free in the space where your outdoor unit sits, they will be more than likely use it as a place to lift their leg. Animal urine can be the culprit of corrosion and other damage.
Pets may use the unit to scratch and claw which can injure the animal and cause damage to your unit. If you plan on keeping an outdoor pet, it is best if you enclose the unit with fencing or some other safe barrier that provides airflow.
Secure Electrical Cords and Wiring
Let’s face it, cute little kitten and puppies love to chew on anything that moves that they can reach.
Chewing on electrical cords and wiring is not only unsafe for your pet but it can also can severe problems with your HVAC system.
Enclose electrical wires in conduits. Even something as simple as tucking wires away can save your checkbook, your system, and your pet.
Vacuum Pet Hair Regularly
Most pets are going to shed at some point.
To cut down on the pet hair in your living environment, frequent vacuuming is a must. Vacuuming will help reduce the amount of dander and hair that the intake vents tend to suck up.
The Pet Door Draft
One of the wisest investments as a homeowner with a pet is a door for it to go in and out when it pleases while you are away.
However, your energy cost is not thanking you, and neither is your HVAC system.
Although, a large part of an HVAC system is locating and repairing unwelcomed drafts that prevent a strain on your unit. That includes guaranteeing the doggy dog to be caulked correctly to put a stop to cold and heat from escaping your house.
HVAC Systems Last Longer with Regular Maintenance
All of the ideas above are fantastic for helping with the lifespan of your HVAC unit. Having yearly tune-ups offers a wide range of benefits as well.
Moreover, this is where our team of HVAC professionals can make the necessary repairs and keep your system in good working condition.
A properly maintained system provides you with many more years of operation. Keeping your system tuned-up helps it run more efficiently while using less energy.
The Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners listed in this blog are the simple steps you as a homeowner to do on your own.
Let our professional technicians tune your unit as well as do precautionary check-ups to catch any potential problems before it happens.
As a team, we can make sure you and your pet have a happy, healthy home with a well-maintained HVAC system.
Call us today and let our technicians get started with your maintenance plan.
We are always available 24 hours, seven days a week.
