Many homeowners live with pets, and while they can bring a lot of joy to our lives, they can also be messy and destructive. They also require a lot of cleaning up after them! In terms of your HVAC system, it’s important to take steps to protect it from your furry friends. Here are some of the ways that pets can affect your HVAC system and how you can prevent it!
Pet Fur Affects Your Air Quality
If you have a pet who sheds, like a dog or a cat, their fur will end up in your air supply. This can lead to breathing problems, allergies, and skin irritation. The best way to ensure that your pets aren’t affecting your air supply is to regularly change your furnace filter. This includes sweeping or vacuuming up any fur that has fallen off your pet. Also, try to groom your pet outside if possible.
Damage to Your Outdoor System
Another way that pets can affect your HVAC system and its performance is damaging your outdoor AC unit. Most dogs have access to the home’s backyard, which is also where the outdoor AC system can be found. Dogs accidentally hitting or bumping into the AC, chewing on the components, or urinating on the system can all cause significant damage to your air conditioner. A good way to prevent damage to your outdoor unit is to block it off from your dog’s reach.
Dirt in Your Home
It’s no secret that outdoor cats and dogs can track a lot of dirt when they come inside. This is another way that pets can affect your HVAC system. When dirt, allergens, and other outdoor debris are brought into your home, they will likely end up floating in your air. To prevent this, try to hose down your dog when they come in from playing in the dirt and make sure you’re changing your air filter regularly.
How to Ensure Your System is Running Smoothly
Your HVAC system can be affected by pets in several different ways. The best way to ensure that it’s running smoothly and not progressively becoming less efficient is to invest in annual preventative maintenance. This gives the experts at Team Harding the opportunity to clean your system from built-up hair, dust, and dirt, and ensure that it’s running as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Time for your annual preventative maintenance appointment?
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Harding Heating & Air Conditioning has been Ottawa’s leading home comfort specialist since 1994. We are a family-owned and operated local business and all of our installers and technicians are fully licensed.
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