We all love our furry little friends, but did you know that they can interfere with your home’s HVAC system? Trying to maintain the HVAC system in your home can be tough, but we wanted to take a little time today to talk about a few tips pet owners can use to help keep their system clear and running efficiently.
1. Change Your Filter Regularly
Changing out the air filter in your HVAC system is the best way to see some immediate improvement. Your filter should be changed out at least every 30 – 60 days, you can change it more frequently if needed, but most residential HVAC systems should be cleaned monthly or bi-monthly. Need help replacing your filter? Get into contact with a professional Maryland HVAC repair company.
2. Clean Your Carpets Often
Cats and dogs shed a lot of fur, and if your home has carpeting, a lot of this fur will get trapped in your carpets. By vacuuming and sweeping regularly, you can remove this fur and dander as it builds, preventing it from entering into your ducts and blocking up your HVAC. We recommend you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
3. Groom Your Pets
Dogs and cats who are brushed regularly shed less hair than their unbrushed counterparts. Weather permitting, you should brush your pets outside . If you have to brush them inside, be sure to vacuum the area thoroughly.
4. Protect Your Outdoor HVAC Unit
Most home HVAC systems have the main part of the unit sitting outside. Dogs like to mark their territory wherever they go, and if given access, they will mark their territory on your HVAC unit. Put up a fence around your unit, or keep your dog away from it, or else some long term damage could be caused. Be sure not to obstruct the unit’s air flow when trying to keep your pets away from it.
5. Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Your pets shed a lot of hair and dander, and a lot of this will end up in your vents, where it will obstruct air flow. Most home’s ventilation systems should be cleaned at least every three years, though if you have a lot of pets you may want to have them cleaned more frequently by a professional Maryland HVAC repair company.
