For those with furry family members – aka pets – proper HVAC maintenance is important for keeping your system running efficiently. Dog and cat hair can accumulate quickly in your home and cause your HVAC system to work harder to keep your home comfortable. This can make your home energy bills skyrocket.
Pet hair can also lead to problems with your unit, like blockages, maintenance issues, and even full breakdowns. In addition, it can exacerbate allergies and cause other health problems. In this post, we’ll provide some of our best tips to help pet owners maintain their HVAC system, so it performs optimally all year round.
Keep your pets well-groomed
Whether you go to a professional or do it yourself, keeping your pets well-groomed is the easiest way to prevent HVAC issues. Grooming helps minimize the amount of pet hair and dander that gets into the air and, ultimately, into your system. Plus, regular grooming even helps reduce shedding.
This tip will not only help protect your HVAC system from damage and blockages but will also improve your indoor air quality. If the weather permits, brush your pets outdoors to keep as much hair and dander from your home as possible.
Vacuum often
Cleaning and vacuuming your home frequently will also reduce the amount of pet hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. Ensure that you are vacuuming carpets and furniture like couches at least once or twice a week to keep your system running at maximum efficiency.
You should also carefully vacuum registers, where fur and dander get pulled into your unit and accumulates. Additionally, your air ducts should be cleaned at least once every three years. Although there are DIY methods, we recommend reaching out to a professional rather than attempting to clean these yourself.
Change your air filters
Checking and replacing your air filters is important in all households, but especially for pet owners. Typically, filters should be replaced about once every 90 days. But for homes with pets, that number shrinks to 30-60 days. Check your air filter once every month to look for pet hair and dander clogging your filter. If you spot excessive buildup, be sure to change it out.
Also, consider switching to higher-quality filters to reduce allergens. Standard filters typically have a MERV rating of 5-8. Air filters with a higher MERV rating of 10-12 are better able to trap smaller dander particles, further improving your indoor air quality.
Protect your outdoor units
If your home has outdoor HVAC equipment like an air conditioning unit, make sure it’s protected with a fence or another type of barricade. This will prevent your pets from making direct contact with the equipment.
Outdoor units suction air from outside into your home. When cats or dogs rub against them, their hair often gets pulled directly inside the unit, clogging the system. Additionally, pet urine can cause damage to your condenser due to its high acidity levels. If you choose to install a barricade, be sure it’s placed at least three feet away from your equipment to allow for proper ventilation.
Get regular HVAC maintenance
Finally, pet owners should make sure to schedule regular HVAC maintenance with a professional. An expert HVAC specialist can inspect your indoor and outdoor systems for any blockages caused by pet hair. Additionally, they can make recommendations on how to best protect your unit from damage in the future. They’ll also provide tune-up and maintenance services to keep your system in good shape over the long haul.
If you’re in Central Ohio, reach out to us at Expert HVAC Services for honest, reliable, and budget-friendly maintenance services. We offer residential and commercial maintenance and repair to ensure your system is in the best condition and to prevent issues caused by pet hair and other debris. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
