We all love to have cute pets at homes. However, apart from caring for them, it is also necessary to pay closer attention to HVAC systems. We bet you didn’t think that the two were related somehow! Your pet has a direct impact on the quality of air you breathe inside your home. Therefore, you need to be mindful of it.
HVAC maintenance is a crucial task for every homeowner, and more so if you are a pet owner. Since your pets shed skin, fur, and dander, it can put a strain on your unit’s heating and cooling efficiency if you don’t take effective measures to maintain it.
Here are some of the practical tips to help keep your HVAC unit in top shape and also eliminate allergens from inside your home.
Bathe your pets regularly
Your pets are carriers of pollens and dirt which can accumulate inside their fur. Therefore, it is crucial to bathe them regularly so that they can get rid of the particles that are potential cause of allergens in the house. Not doing so will make them circulate through the indoor air via your HVAC unit that not only reduces the air quality but also impacts the efficiency of your unit. Besides, leaving your pets dirty can put your family members are a great health risk, especially the ones with a respiratory condition.
Always keep your house clean
According to a reputed Houston HVAC Repair Service Provider, the most common cause of HVAC breakdown can be attributed to a clogged air filter that is often blocked by dirt, pet hair, and dander. Besides, these impurities all over the house can not only make your house messy but also impact the optimal efficiency of your unit by lodging itself in the air filter, thereby working that much harder to provide same amount of cooling and heating. This is the reason it is important to vacuum your house regularly and mop your floor of all the pet hair to keep it clean. Also schedule a regular maintenance call with an HVAC contractor who can check the unit for such impurities.
Maintain your HVAC system
In most cases, you will be able to check your heating and cooling system yourself. But you must also hire an HVAC technician at least twice a year to perform a thorough system check and clean it inside out so that it continues to perform optimally. These maintenance checks will not only keep your system running well but also ensure that any signs of breakdown are detected early. Besides, Pet hair and dander can block the filter and amplify the spread of allergens through the indoor environment, resulting in high energy consumption by your unit.
Upgrade your HVAC filter
There are different kinds of HVAC filters out these days. If you are a pet owner, then look for the one that comes with high MERV rating. A MERV rating is usually recommended for homes with pets because it is able to prevent the airborne allergens and pollutants from lodging itself into the filter.
Seal the ducts
Pet hair and dander is always able to enter the air ducts, especially if there are leaks present. Your air duct will carry this polluted air from the HVAC system throughout the home. Therefore, it is very important to remove all leaks from the air ducts and keep them clean of all impurities.
Hide exposed wires
Pets, for some reason, love to play with wires and chew on them. This can be a huge risk to your pet if the wire comes from a functional unit. It will not only pose the threat of electrocution but will also lead to a short circuit. So if you have any exposed wires, hide them.
Keep your condenser unit covered
Always remember to keep your condenser units closed. Even though they are located outside the house, your pets may still find it and damage the fins. Some pets, such as dogs, may even urinate on them that can cause problems with the unit. Make sure you have put a fence or a barrier to avoid these situations.
Keep your carpets clean
Get your carpets clean by professionals every once in a while. Airborne contaminants, especially during the spring season, can aggravate the allergens and cause respiratory illness. In fact, it is also the leading cause of poor indoor air quality that has a huge impact on your family’s health.
If your home has poor IAQ, it will have a negative health impact on your family. Symptoms of highly-polluted indoor air include.
If you want to minimize the ill effects of a dirty HVAC system caused due to pet dander and hair, then you must call the specialists to maintain your unit and take extra measures to keep your home clean.
