Millions of people all over the country know the joys and struggles of owning a pet. While pets give us all their love, they also provide us with a whole lot of pet hair. That pesky pet hair, just like dust, can fly up and get in your HVAC system. Pet hair in this system can significantly impact your home’s air quality. Here are a few practical HVAC maintenance tips to take care of your HVAC system, your pet, and your air quality all at the same time.
Brush Your Pet Regularly
One of the best ways to keep pet hair out of your HVAC system is to brush your pet regularly. Brushing your pet gets the loose hair off their back and onto the floor or brush, which makes for easy clean up. Brush your pet outdoors on the back porch for easy clean up and so that any loose fur flies into the wind, instead of into your HVAC system.
Change Your Air Filters More Frequently
If you have a pet in your home, that means your air filters are filling up faster than pet free homes. Because of this, it is smart to shorten the life of your filter and replace them sooner than the label says. For example, if your air filter says to replace every three months, try replacing it every two or two and a half months. Keep an eye on your air filters though, and if you see it starting to get full of pet hair, it might be time for a change.
Build a Fence around Your Outdoor Air Conditioner
If your pet spends any time outside in the backyard, then it is a good idea to protect your outdoor air conditioning unit. While the unit looks virtually indestructible, it is susceptible to both pet hair and territorial marking. If your pet rubs on the condenser, it is sending pet fur straight into the unit, which is something we want to prevent. An easy way to protect your air conditioner is by building a fence around the unit.
Vacuum the House Regularly
Instead of letting your air filter take in all the loose pet fur around the house, vacuuming as much up as possible can help make your air filters last longer. In addition to brushing regularly, try to vacuum two or more times a week to catch any of the pet hair that might have settled into a rug or the furniture that could possibly become airborne again. By vacuuming the pet fur, you help reduce the amount of hair your filter has to deal with each month.
Twice Annual HVAC Maintenance
Finally, stay up to date with your HVAC maintenance. A smart maintenance schedule for a family with a pet is having an inspection and tune up at least twice a year. Make sure to let your technician know that you have a pet so they can recommend any other any other suggestions you may not be utilizing in order to protect your HVAC system.
If you have any questions about how pet hair affects your HVAC unit, are fighting against the warmer temperatures, or are experiencing any problems at all with your AC, please give our experts a call! If you’d like to make an appointment, contact us at 866-797-1535, or schedule an appointment online. Visit our website for more information on our vast number of services, including air conditioning, heating, duct cleaning, indoor air quality, maintenance, commercial HVAC, industrial, and marine services.
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