As a pet owner, you know that shedding is just a part of life. And while it can be frustrating to constantly clean up after your furry friends, it’s also important to consider the effect that all that pet hair and dander can have on your HVAC system. Not only can it clog your filters and reduce the efficiency of your system, but it can also have a major impact on the air quality in your home. In this blog post, we’ll share six practical HVAC maintenance tips that pet owners can use to keep their systems running smoothly and their air clean.
Change Your Filters Frequently
This one may seem obvious, but it’s worth stressing: pet owners need to change their HVAC filters frequently. While most filters are designed to last for a few months, if you have a lot of pets, you may need to change them more often. As pet hair and dander accumulate, they can quickly clog up your filters and cause your system to work harder than it needs to – causing your energy costs to go up and reducing the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Keep Your Pet’s Grooming Up-To-Date
The cleaner your pets are, the less hair and dander there will be floating around in the air. Make sure to brush and groom your pets regularly to keep their fur from matting and shedding excessively. The more hair you can keep off your pet – and on your brush – the less hair will end up in your HVAC system.
Clean Your Ducts and Vents
Over time, dust and pet hair can accumulate in your ducts and vents, which can seriously impact your indoor air quality. Make sure to schedule regular duct cleaning appointments with a professional to ensure that your ducts are free from dust and debris. This will help keep your system running more efficiently and prevent allergens and pet hair from being circulated throughout your home.
Consider an Air Purifier
If you have pets and someone in your family suffers from allergies, you may want to consider investing in an air purifier. Not only will it help to reduce the amount of pet dander and hair in the air, but it can also help to remove other allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold.
Stay on Top of Annual Maintenance
Regardless of whether you have pets or not, annual maintenance is key to keeping your HVAC system running smoothly. However, for pet owners, it’s particularly important to have your system checked out regularly to ensure that it’s not experiencing any undue strain as a result of pet hair and dander. Work with your HVAC technician to come up with a maintenance schedule that makes sense for your needs.
Invest in Quality Filters
Not all HVAC filters are created equal – and when you have pets in the house, it’s important to invest in filters that are designed to help capture pet hair and dander. Look for high-quality filters with a MERV rating of at least 8, and change them out as often as needed to keep your air clean and your system running efficiently.
As a pet owner, it’s important to take steps to protect your home and your HVAC system from the effects of pet hair, dander, and allergens. By staying on top of HVAC maintenance, investing in quality filters, and keeping your pets groomed and clean, you can help ensure that the air in your home is healthy and allergen-free – even with your furry friends around. And remember – if you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to call in a professional to help keep your system running at peak performance.
