HVAC Tips Every Pet Owner Should Know

If you’re the owner of a pet, then you know that there’s a lot that goes into taking care of “the most important” member of your family! From taking your dog for walks to changing your cat’s litter box, it can almost be described as a full-time job — one that you wouldn’t mind working overtime! But one small factor that some homeowners might not take into consideration is that there are some essential pet HVAC tips to know and use! Not sure what those entail? Let’s dive in!

Make Sure to Change Your HVAC Filter

As it’s known, your HVAC filter is the essential piece that makes sure that your unit works in tip-top shape and isn’t bogged down with airborne debris. That being said, if you have a pet that tends to shed their fur at a rapid pace, there’s a chance that those loose strands of fur can float through your home and get trapped in the filter. This, of course, will then decrease the lifespan of the filter much quicker than usual (typically, filters should be changed approximately every two-to-three months).

When this is the case, your HVAC unit will work twice as hard to produce hot/cold air. And when that happens, it’s actually one of the easiest ways for your unit to overwork itself and have its health deteriorates. Therefore, if you know that your pet is prone to shedding (whether it’s gradually or rapidly), it’s best to replace/clean your HVAC filters regularly.

Groom Your Pet More Often

While on the subject of having a pet who sheds, it’s important to regularly groom and bathe your “fur baby.” While you certainly don’t have to do this on a daily basis, it’s important to maintain their coat regularly and not delay any grooming appointments. The reason why this is important is that grooming a shedding pet helps remove the loose fur follicles that would naturally shed and make their way into the air.

And when those follicles go airborne, there’s a good chance that they’ll float towards your HVAC filter and start to clump on top of it. Another downside? Loose, airborne fur can also get stuck in ductwork and cling to their walls, bogging down your unit and creating a pretty foul smell over time. So, the next time you’re looking to put off your fur baby’s appointment at the groomer, don’t!

Have Ductwork Cleaned Regularly

If you feel as if your ductwork has seen better days, then it’s essential to have it cleaned by a professional. As mentioned earlier, when your fur baby’s coat starts to shed, there’s a chance that the loose follicles will make their way into the ductwork, cling to the walls inside, and bog down your HVAC unit. However, a duct cleaning can help your unit work more efficiently — a benefit that all homeowners want to reap! And in addition to your HVAC system working at a much more realistic pace, there’s also a chance that your energy bills will decrease, too (since it won’t be going into overdrive).

Another perk about a duct cleaning is that a professional can look for potential mold growth and see if there are any lingering “pests” residing in there. And once a duct cleaning has occurred, you’ll soon feel a difference in your indoor air quality (IAQ) and will quickly see that your HVAC won’t have to work as hard as it once did to adequately cool/heat your home.

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