No one wants to be caught in a storm where it’s “raining cats and dogs.” But if your pet has been shedding constantly and your HVAC system isn’t up to the task of filtering out those particles, you can end up with a different cats-and-dogs downpour within your home. You won’t get wet, but you may get some unwanted sneezing, coughing, and irritation from the excess fur circulating through your air ducts. Of course, you love your animal companions, but you love breathing easily, too. Fortunately, with these tips for HVAC maintenance for pet owners, you can have both.
Change or Wash Air Filters Regularly
For all the joy that pet ownership brings, it can also put some added strain on your air filters. With all that added hair and dander, your furnace’s air filter may fill up faster and experience a shorter life span. Nevertheless, the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the small increase in HVAC maintenance. You can be more vigilant in changing out your air filter, or you can pursue washable AC filters that effectively capture harmful particles but that last longer and reduce waste.
Keep Clean Carpets—and Less Carpeting
As pets shed hair and dander, where does it go? If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, it often settles deep into that carpet, out of sight but not out of your noses—nor your air ducts. An abundance of carpeting can significantly reduce indoor air quality, as the allergens that sink into the carpeting can get kicked back up and distributed through your ducts. This can even bring dander into rooms where your pets don’t go. Reduce this likelihood by seeking alternatives to wall-to-wall carpeting, whether it’s new hardwood or laminate flooring. Go with area rugs for warm accents, and be sure to vacuum them regularly. Overall, less carpeting means fewer allergens.
Keep Your Pet Well-Groomed
A well-groomed pet isn’t just a happy and good-looking pet, it’s also one that will introduce fewer particles into your HVAC system. Regular bathing and grooming will keep your pet’s coat clean, which means less loose fur in the air. Whether this means routine brushing and cleaning or more trips to the groomers, you’ll be able to keep ambient dander under control and out of your ductwork.
Get an Air Purifier
We always advise you to remember the filter and change it regularly. However, in conjunction with a long-lasting washable filter, an air purifier can give you fewer washes and leave you more satisfied with your long-term purchase. Air purifiers can be effective in rooms where your pet spends the most time, intercepting many of the allergens he or she sheds before your filter has to capture them. One of the most important aspects of HVAC maintenance for pet owners is reducing that maintenance in the first place.
