Canal Winchester Heating & Cooling knows how important your pet is to your family. After all, dogs are a man’s best friend, and cats are everlasting companions. But no matter what type of pet you have in your home, have you ever considered the effects having a pet can have on your HVAC system? Now, before you start letting your thoughts spin everywhere, we aren’t saying to make any drastic decisions concerning your fur babies! We merely think it is important for pet owners to know how pet fur can adversely affect your HVAC system. Pet care is a crucial part of being a pet owner as well as a homeowner.
Do You Groom Your Pets Regularly?
Pet grooming is key! It must be performed routinely to reduce the amount of loose pet hair in your home. But grooming your pet doesn’t have to be done strictly by a professional groomer; you can keep the shedding under control by brushing your pet regularly. It doesn’t have to be complicated to fit doing this into your weekly routine. You can choose a time when you sit down to watch something like your favorite show, brush your pet’s fur and gain a little extra bonding time in the process.
Have You Thought About Using a Barrier?
If you have a basement where your furnace is located or an outdoor unit, you should consider using a barrier to keep pets from poking around the vicinity. Barriers are a great way to keep your pet safe and prevent any HVAC hazards. Indoor units tend to collect pet hair buildup around the furnace’s vents and valves. Stray pet hair is a fire hazard when allowed to accumulate near the pilot light, so be sure to keep the area around the furnace swept and vacuumed frequently. Outdoor units can also pose a safety issue for your pets. In addition, dogs should be kept away from the outdoor condenser, especially if you have a particularly persistent pooch that enjoys relieving himself on random objects. Picket fences are a great thing to utilize if perhaps you need to fortify the area around the outdoor unit and keep animals from getting in.
How Do You Filter the Pet Hair in Your Home?
The main issue is pet hair, which can result in problems for your HVAC system when it comes down to it. Builtup pet fur can cause airflow blockage that leads to your HVAC system functioning inefficiently. It can also cause poor indoor air quality inside your home. You can solve these issues by filtering the pet dander and fur in your home in several ways:
- Air Filters- Pet owner or not, every homeowner should change their air filters every 1-2 months. Changing your air filters as suggested will keep the IAQ in your home at a higher quality and allow your system to function at its highest capacity. However, if you have a pet, depending on the breed and number of pets you have in your home, you may want to check your air filters a little more often.
- HEPA Air Filters- HEPA air filters stand for “high-efficiency particulate air”; they are a more efficient air filter known for their 99.97% efficiency rate. Many homeowners opt to use HEPA air filters due to their success in removing dust particles, airborne bacteria, and other contaminants in the air.
- Air Purifiers- An air purifier can significantly reduce pet fur and dander in your home. If you have anyone in your household who suffers from allergies or other respiratory-related problems, an air purifier can prove advantageous.
- UV Lights- Known for their ability to zap airborne bacteria and viruses before they can circulate freely throughout the home, UV lights are becoming more popular amongst homeowners, especially over the past couple of years. If this is something that you might be interested in, please give us a call!
Building a home environment where you, your family, and your pets feel safe and comfortable is essential. Hopefully, the tips and tricks mentioned above have given you a little insight as both a pet and a homeowner. Canal Winchester Heating & Cooling is here to answer all your questions and help with any HVAC issues you might be experiencing. You can reach us at (614) 524-4737 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
