4 HVAC Care Tips for Pet Owners – Keep A Clean Home
HVAC Care Tips for Pet Owners
Many are surprised to find out about the effect pets have on your home’s HVAC system. We love our furry friends, but they sure can shed! In order to keep your HVAC system running at maximum efficiency, there are a few steps you can take regarding both your comfort system and your family pets. Follow these HVAC care tips for pet owners!
Regular Visits to the Groomer
Your pets deserve some spa treatment! Regularly visiting the groomer can keep your pet’s coat and skin healthy, as well as cut down on the amount of pet hair and dander in your home. This is a great way to protect the air vents and air filter of your HVAC system from becoming overwhelmed by fur! If your pet has a shorter coat, you can sneak by with visits to the groomer every season (4x per year). Their short hair doesn’t get matted as easily nor does it collect dirt as quickly. However, silky-coated, curly, or wavy coated dogs are recommended to visit the groomer every four to six weeks. These dogs are very prone to matting which can cause skin irritation, rashes, and more. Take care of your pet and at the same time, take care of your HVAC system!
Daily Brushing
If regular visits to the groomer are difficult for you, brush your pet DAILY. This will keep their coats in great condition and greatly cut down on the chances of any matting occurring. Brushing will help cut down the pet hair which would otherwise be shed around your house and pulled into your HVAC system. If your pet is shedding excessively, it may be worth the trip to the groomer for a de-shed/furminating treatment. This process removes the loose hair from your pet’s undercoat.
HVAC Filters
With pets in your home, it’s best to practice replacing your HVAC filter every 1-2 months. Pet hair can quickly collect and begin to clog up your filter. In time, your comfort system will struggle to push air through your filter, resulting in reduced air flow. Additionally, your filter will become unable to efficiently filter smaller allergens from your home’s air as well! Write reminders on your calendar to stay in a routine of changing out your filters.
It may also be beneficial to replace your filter with a filter that has a higher MERV rating. For pet owners, it’s recommended to purchase at least a MERV 11 filter. These higher grade filters are able to catch extremely small particles and pet dander.
Clean Your Home
While having a clean home is nice, it’s also crucial to your HVAC system’s success. Pet hair and dander will clog your air vents and HVAC system over time if you do not clean. Vacuum your floors and over air vents regularly to cut down on the amount of hair making its way into your comfort system. Dust all the nooks and crannies, and keep surfaces wiped down. You should also regularly clean your furniture if your pets are allowed on couches, chairs, or beds. Cleaning up will make your home feel fresher, your air healthier, and your HVAC system more efficient!
Programmable Thermostat
It can be difficult to know what temperature to set your thermostat on when you’re away at work or running errands all day. When you have pets in your home, it’s worth it to invest in a programmable thermostat. Many of these options are able to be controlled from your smartphone, from anywhere! This way, you never have to worry about if your system is needlessly running overtime or if your home isn’t at a comfortable temperature for your pets. Being able to have this control over your HVAC system will greatly save you in energy bills in the long run.
Don’t Hesitate to Contact Us
We hope these tips help keep your home, family, and four-legged friends comfortable and healthy all year round! If you’re ever experiencing an HVAC problem and need a hand, don’t hesitate to contact Environmental Comfort Systems at (256) 308-0032. You can count on us to provide you with the best HVAC services every time.
We are your trusted American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Customer Care Dealer in Decatur, AL. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more helpful information regarding your HVAC system.
