5 Things to Know About HVAC Maintenance When You Own Pets
Over 70% of American households have pets. That’s a lot of homes with potential HVAC problems. If you’re a pet owner, you’re probably used to dealing with dander, hair, and stains in the house. What you might not realize is the effect that all of these things have on your HVAC system. In this post, we’re going to give you 5 HVAC maintenance tips for pet owners.
Your pets are as much a part of the household as anything else, so keep reading and learn how to help your HVAC system cope with the challenges your pets bring.
1. Change Filters More Frequently
Your pets are constantly shedding hair and little bits of skin (dander) around the house. This might not be an inconvenience to you as it’s happening, but it is a huge problem when it enters your HVAC system.
The longer that this debris is left to build up, the more likely it is that the air filter on your HVAC unit is going to get clogged. You need to inspect your air filters more often than you normally would with pets and make sure to replace them more frequently as well.
2. Maintain the Pets, Not Just the HVAC Unit
It’s not just about maintaining your HVAC system. Proper HVAC preventative maintenance will come down to grooming your pets more often so that their shedding doesn’t become a problem.
You should be giving your cat and/or dog a good brush every day to capture some of that hair. Being proactive about shedding will help boost the performance of your HVAC system.
3. More Cleaning Around the House
Likewise, more frequent vacuuming and sweeping are absolutely essential when you have pets. As with grooming your pets regularly, frequent household cleanings will aid your HVAC system.
A better functioning HVAC system will mean lower energy bills, better air quality, and less likelihood of bad allergies.
4. Taking Care of Ductwork
The average homeowner might have their ducts cleaned every couple of years or so. When pets are part of the household, however, it has to happen a lot more.
Having clean ducts makes for the easy passage of air in and out of your HVAC system. If there’s a lot of debris caught in your vents, you’re going to see a significant drop-off in your indoor air quality.
5. Watch for Urine
It’s in your best interest to keep your animals away from the outdoor part of your HVAC system. If you have dogs, don’t let them urinate on the unit, as it could cause corrosion on the inside parts of the unit. Corroded coils and fins will cause higher energy bills and you’ll need HVAC repair.
Performing Preventative HVAC Maintenance Works
When you have pets, taking HVAC maintenance seriously is a must. These are a few maintenance issues that you’ll need to think about on your own, but you also need to make sure your HVAC unit is getting professional attention.
At JM Smith HVAC, our HVAC maintenance service will ensure that your pets aren’t having a detrimental effect on your air quality, heating, and cooling. Contact us ASAP to schedule your HVAC service and keep your home comfortable and safe for everyone.
