Many of our clients throughout Utah are proud pet owners, and it is easy to see why. Pets are loyal and loving companions, improving your physical and emotional well-being. However, despite the benefits of having a furry friend at home, their presence will require more HVAC maintenance.
If you notice that your pet is shedding, it is likely that there will be pet dander in your air ducts, affecting your home’s overall indoor air quality and the efficiency of the HVAC system.
To address these issues, we’ve created a list of essential maintenance tips for homeowners. But first, consider how your pets affect your HVAC system.
How Do Pets Affect Your HVAC System?
Pets such as dogs and cats shed fur, which can clog your ventilation systems and air filters. Aside from impeding airflow, accumulated fur in your HVAC system can also cause harm to your unit in the long run.
Along with fur, comes pet dander. These tiny particles of skin fall from your pet’s body. If you have pet dander in air ducts, it can cause wheezing, sneezing, coughing, and other respiratory issues.
Your furry friends may also bring dirt indoors from outside, contributing to air filter blockages. Some may even chew on or destroy exposed HVAC wires. You can protect your pets and maintain your HVAC system by being a responsible pet owner and following the tips below.
HVAC Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
1. Maintain Floor Vents
As a pet owner in Utah, a lot of hair will inevitably be floating around your home. Dander and fluff can flow into the nearest air vent, accumulate, and leave you wondering, “How do you get dog hair out of vents?” Unfortunately, this hairy mess also means that your HVAC system will need to work harder to provide efficient heating and cooling in your home, causing your utility bills to increase.
To avoid this situation, make vent inspection and cleaning a part of your routine. Before proceeding to clean vents, turn off your HVAC system. Then, clean your vent covers using a soft cloth, duster, or vacuum. Ensure that they are dry before reinstalling them. Clean vents generally improve airflow.
2. Replace Air Filters Regularly
Aside from clogging your vents, dander and fur may also block your HVAC air filters. Households with furry pets should replace their air filters more frequently than normal to maintain adequate airflow and preserve the energy efficiency of their HVAC system. If the manufacturer suggests changing the filter every three months, replace it every one or two months if you have pets.
Because there are certain times of the year when cats and dogs shed more, avoid being complacent and sticking to one set schedule. Instead, be proactive in checking your filters and change them when necessary.
3. Consider Investing in High-Quality Filters
Air filters block pollen, dirt, dust, fur, and dander. Filtering out these impurities helps air travel freely and keeps your system clean. However, regular air filters may not filter out many particles, resulting in a buildup that causes blockages.
You can resolve this issue by investing in HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. Compared to regular disposable filters, HEPA filters catch as much as 99.7 percent of particles in the air that are 0.3 microns in size or bigger, including pet hair and allergens. With a high-quality HEPA filter, you won’t need to worry about cleaning pet hair from your air ducts.
4. Groom Your Pets
Grooming your furry companion is a great way to bond with your furry companion. Unfortunately, hair and pet dander in air ducts reduce your system’s efficiency and increase your utility bills. When you groom, bathe, or brush your pets, less of this hair and dander will circulate indoors and accumulate on your filter.
5. Build a Barrier
Your HVAC system has internal and exterior components that your pets may damage. For instance, dogs may sometimes relieve themselves directly in your unit to mark their territory. Urine corrodes the components of your system. To prevent this, build a barrier to protect your HVAC system. For example, you can use picket fences or metal mesh that allows for adequate airflow or plant shrubs around it.
The most serious worry for the indoor unit is the accumulation of hair and pet dander in the air ducts and filters. For added security, keep furnace rooms closed and out of reach of pets.
6. Have Your Ductwork Professionally Cleaned
Trapped pet dander in air ducts is recirculated in your home, so it’s crucial to include professional duct cleaning as part of your HVAC maintenance. In addition, cleaning pet hair from air ducts contributes to a healthier indoor air quality, which benefits the health of your pets and family.
Although regular vacuuming of floor vents and registers helps remove pet hair and dander, they can still get deep into your ductwork, necessitating professional cleaning at least once every two years. While we don’t offer duct cleaning services at Absolute Air, we can provide recommendations for good companies in your area upon request.
Learn More About HVAC Maintenance With Absolute Air
Whether you are looking to solve pet dander in your air ducts or would like to schedule a professional duct cleaning service, don’t hesitate to reach out to Absolute Air. We know how important it is to maintain a functioning HVAC system in Utah, which is why we are committed to providing quality heating and cooling services to Mapleton, Lehi, and other surrounding Utah areas.
We are proud recipients of an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and have served countless clients who vouch for our work integrity, prompt service, and exemplary customer service. Contact us for an estimate if you need to have your HVAC system serviced. We are available at (801) 491-8640 and offer 24-hour emergency services for all our customers.