Those of us that have shaggy friends living with us are okay to put up with a lot of extra inconveniences, both literally and figuratively. You know anyone with cat allergies and still owns cats? I know a minimum of three people!
Pets that reside in our homes offer such great benefits as company, playmates, physical exertion, entertainment, teach responsibility to our kids … but they also have their disadvantages, especially when it comes to our home’s heating and cooling systems.
Pets release fur and dander into the atmosphere of our houses, landing on all exposed surfaces and getting inhaled into our cold air returns and air conditioner and furnace systems. One way or another, your pet will affect your HVAC.
Following are our tips for handling our home HVAC systems when you have pets in your house.
Change Out Filters Frequently.
Pets or otherwise, you should be replacing your HVAC filters at the very least 4x each year, more often if you have a long hair breed like a German Shepherd Dog on Collie hanging around. You’ll typically find it matted with pet hair, in addition to other bits (like “dander” or skin cells) released by the pet into the atmosphere.
If you find your home’s furnace filters stuffing up frequently, you might consider switching to a reusable filter that could be rinsed with a garden hose. Consult one of our HVAC professionals for best advice if you’re having this issue.
Keep Your Home Free of Pet Hair with Regular House Cleaning.
You’ll find the filter will clog less often if you dust and vacuum often, preventing the air from reaching the filter. Try keeping a lightweight cordless vacuum (like a Dirt Devil) handy for easy, frequent vacuuming.
Good Grooming Habits for Your Pet.
Keeping in mind the health of the pet first, you should bathe and brush your pet as frequently as recommended by your vet. There are several pet washes nearby where you can do it yourself to bathe your pet, or a number of groomers that accept appointments. There are also mobile groomers that will come to your home to minimize your pet getting terrorized by a visit to a noisy groomer.
Ask your vet or groomer about special brushes or other tools that make it easy to keep the pet hair under control. One device is this cool pet hair glove that allows you to just run your hands over the back of your cat or dog, then peel the hair off into the trash.
Consider Duct Cleaning Service.
Believe me, if it lives in your carpet, on the surfaces of your house, it resides in the ductwork. Many times it will settle when the furnace or AC isn’t being used a lot (like in the early fall or late spring). We recommend a duct cleaning at least every two years, more often if you have long hair breeds.
Adjust the Thermostat for Humans.
Keep in mind your pets can handle cooler or warmer temperatures than humans, so a couple of degrees cooler in the winter to save a few bucks on the heating bill is well worth it. Just be sure rover has his own warm bed and blankets to keep comfortable, especially if he’s a short hair breed.
Build a Barrier Around Your AC Unit.
Use fencing or other natural barriers to keep your pets far away from outdoor AC units and compressors. You can keep both the pet and the unit safe by having a “breathable barrier” around the unit. Keeping pets away will be sure cats won’t claw at the fins and dogs don’t chew on the cables or relieve themselves on the cover!
Keep your pets safe and comfortable, save energy and extend the life of your home’s heating and air conditioning system with these tips. When you are ready to get those ducts cleaned, upgrade your HVAC filters or switch to a smart WiFi thermostat, contact us. Call one of our friendly, helpful customer care specialists at (614) 524-4737 or use our convenient online schedule page.
