Many people have some furry friends in their homes, they provide a great deal of joy, but they have needs that need to be taken care of. As a part of your family, a pet will have a certain impact on your indoor environment just like anyone else. Of course, this often most noticeable with pet hair or dander that can accumulate on your furniture and carpets. This pet dander is also floating around in the air, and it can have an effect on how your HVAC system operates. In this article, we will look at this in more detail and offer some useful advice on how a pet owner can get the best out of their HVAC system.
The Airflow is Important
When a homeowner purchases an HVAC system, it represents a substantial investment in their home comfort. The air is cooled or heated as needed, and then it’s distributed through the home via vents and registers. This circulation of air is essential; if the treated air cannot move freely, the home cannot reach the desired temperature. The air in your home can contain dust and debris that will be collected and then circulated back into the home after treatment. When you have pets in your home, this air will contain pet hair and dander that will also contribute to clogging the air filter.
Keep the Air Filter Clear
The air filter in your HVAC system is needed to keep your air clear of airborne contaminants, but it also protects your equipment. A modern HVAC system has a number of components that can be damaged by dust, debris, and other particulates. The air filter serves as a last line of defense against these materials, and it prevents them from getting into your equipment and causing damage. If the air cannot flow freely through your HVAC system, certain components can become overheated, and they may fail. Replacing or repairing these parts is inconvenient and it can be expensive. For these reasons, it’s important to keep your air filter clear and ready for use.
How to Keep Your Air Filter Clean
The owner’s manual for your specific HVAC equipment will have plenty of useful information on the type of air filters that you need and when to change them. This is a simple process, and the air filters are readily available for purchase. Shop around; if you buy your air filters in bulk, you can often get a great deal and save some money. When you remove an old air filter for replacement, you will quickly notice how much material is on the surface. This material will include skin cells, dust, debris and you will often see matted deposits of human and pet hair tangled on the surface of the air filter. Some air filters are replaceable, and others need to be cleaned, dried thoroughly and then replaced. It’s a great idea to check your air filters at least once per month, and if you have multiple pets, it’s advisable to check them more often.
Keeping Your Home Clean will Help
Everyone enjoys living in a home that’s clean, and this will also help your HVAC system to cope better with pet hair. A home that contains less dust, debris, hair, and dander will have less loose material in the air that can be sucked up into the HVAC system. Even a semi-regular pass with a light cordless portable vacuum cleaner will help you to remove a great deal of contaminants from your home.
Keeping Your Pet Groomed will Help
Most pets, enjoy grooming; it’s a great way to bond with your furry friend, and it can help to keep them clean and healthy. This is also a great way to remove looser pet hair that may soon be destined to enter your HVAC system and air filter. Harvesting the pet hair in this way is a fantastic preventative measure that will help your HVAC system work more efficiently. This is especially true if your pet is shedding hair at certain times of the year and there are special brushes to remove looser hair. Washing your pet regularly will also help, but don’t overdo it because many pets have essential oils in their hair and skin that you don’t want to wash away too often. If you really want to spoil your pet why not take them to a pet groomer every few weeks? The pet will get some pampering, and the pet hair can be removed outside your home.
Cleaning Your Ducts is Essential
When you run your HVAC system, smaller particles will be circulating throughout the entire system, and this includes your ducts. When you have a pet in your home, there will be more material in circulation, and over time this can build up into a significant mass. Every few years it’s a great idea to contact your local certified HVAC specialist and get them to inspect your ductwork to see if it needs cleaning. When the ducts are cleaned, the HVAC system will run more efficiently, but there is another benefit. You may not notice it, but pet dander can have an odor that can permeate the entire home. When the pet dander is removed, it’s not unusual to notice that your indoor air can feel cleaner and fresher. Cleaning your ducts is a fantastic way to deodorize your home and create a more pleasant indoor environment.
Keeping Your Pets Comfortable
When your pets are the only ones at home, you can adjust your thermostat, and they will still be comfortable and happy. Many people set their thermostat to 72º all year round, but most pets are happy, safe and comfortable in a much wider temperature range. Remember that most domestic pets have some type of hair or fur to keep them warmer than a human being. A pet owner can save money on their energy bills by setting their thermostat to a lower temperature of 65º during the colder winter months. When it’s hotter, the thermostat could be set to around 80º when the pets are alone at home, and they will still be happy.