Having furry friends in in your home brings a lot of joy. Without a doubt they are definitely a part of the family. However, your HVAC may need a little more attention if you plan to own or already own a pet. The shedding and dander that comes along with having a pet (fur or not) can affect your HVAC system if it’s not taken care of properly. Here are some tips on how to manage your HVAC with one, or multiple companions in the house.
Check Filters/Filter Upgrades:
Checking your filter is essential to keeping dander and hair out of the air that you breathe. Make sure to check your filter about once every two months, even if your pet doesn't shed as bad some months, dander can still make its way into the filter. Changing your filter in a timely manner will manage allergens in the air and improve your indoor air quality.
Groom Your Pets:
If you don’t want to change your filter more frequently, you can save yourself some maintenance by keeping your pet groomed. Grooming your pet on a regular basis will help keep dander and hair count down, and of course, it will keep them smelling fresh. If you have a dog, try to bathe once a month and for cats, you can either bathe every 4-6 weeks or brush their fur out if bathing is not an option.
Clean regularly:
It’s inevitable that an increased amount of allergens will contaminate your home’s air when you have pets in the house. Pet dander is a major allergen and can’t be avoided, there are some tips to manage it though. Since your indoor air quality is being affected by this, it’s important to avoid any other allergens from getting into the air, and to keep your house clean. Ways that you can avoid other allergens from entering is to use fragrance free cleaners. This will keep your air quality up and keep your pets from possibly reacting to certain fragrances. Pet hair and dander can clog air vents. If you find yourself vacuuming, make sure you don’t forget to clean out the air vents as well.
Check for wires:
If you have a pet that enjoys chewing on things, or you are welcoming a new pet into the house, make sure your furnace wires aren't out. Furnace wires can be easily accessible, making it seem like a great chew toy for your furry friend. Even if your pet is trained not to chew, it’s a good idea to follow this step out of caution. Destroyed wires means a non-efficient HVAC system, and potential danger. For outdoor units, build a barrier or fence with a 3-foot clearance to keep your pet from playing too close. For indoor units, enclose the wires in conduits to keep every some safe and your system running smoothly.
Need more HVAC help? 72 Degrees is always here when you need it. Call 515-965-7272 or visit 72degrees.com for more information.