Is a house really a home without a pet? Pets truly bring joy and companionship, but they also bring some other challenges. For instance, pets greatly affect your indoor air quality and overall home comfort. It just means there might be a few extra HVAC maintenance steps you take if you have pets in your home. We have some of those helpful HVAC tips for you pet owners here.
1. Change air filters more frequently.
One way you can limit the added strain pets can put on your HVAC system is to change air filters more frequently. Pet hair and dander can quickly clog air filters, reducing airflow and efficiency. This can ultimately force your HVAC system to work harder.
It’s recommended to replace or clean HVAC filters every 1-3 months, but pet owners may need to do so more often to ensure proper filtration.
2. Consider using higher quality air filters.
While we’re on the topic of filters, consider upgrading to higher quality air filters, such as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or pet-specific HVAC filters designed to capture pet hair, dander, and other allergens more effectively. This can significantly improve indoor air quality and reduce pet-related allergens in the home.
3. Invest in an air purification system.
Investing in an air purification system can further improve indoor air quality by removing airborne pet allergens and reducing strain on the HVAC system. Regular vacuuming of floors, furniture, and other surfaces with a HEPA-filter-equipped vacuum cleaner can also help reduce pet-related debris in the home.
4. Protect the outdoor unit.
It’s also important to protect the outdoor part of your HVAC system. To do so, install a protective barrier or fence to prevent pets from accessing or damaging them. This barrier can also help prevent urine, pet hair, debris, or other outdoor elements from obstructing airflow or causing damage to the unit’s components.
5. Groom your pet regularly.
Minimize the amount of pet-related debris that enters the HVAC system and gets circulated around the home by grooming your pet regularly.
6. Schedule maintenance twice a year.
Finally, scheduling HVAC maintenance twice a year, rather than once annually, is advisable for pet owners to address the increased strain on the system caused by pet hair and dander. While we typically recommend annual maintenance, pet owners should seriously consider having their systems serviced at least twice a year to limit the effect on their HVAC equipment.
Contact us to schedule your maintenance appointment!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more tips and to see our promos!
Team Harding 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.
