If you are privileged to say you have a furry family member in your household, you most likely understand the struggles a pet owner deals with daily where pet fur is concerned. Sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, grooming- it’s a never-ending job owning a pet. But it’s all worth it, and we pet owners handle these duties happily. Today, your Eastland Heating & Cooling experts want to help make sure you know the effects pet fur and dander can have on your HVAC system. Knowing what adverse effects can happen will help you adjust and act accordingly so your residential HVAC system can continue to run at its utmost capacity.
How Does Pet Fur Affect the Air Filters in My HVAC System?
The air filters in your HVAC exist to trap and hold air pollutants. Unfortunately, this means that your pet’s fur and dander can also clog the air filters. Depending on your pet’s breed and how many pets you have, you may need to replace your air filters more often than the regularly suggested timeframe of 1-2 months. If an air filter is unchanged for an extended period of time, it can cause your HVAC system to overwork itself, leading to short cycling and airflow blockage. For this reason, we consider it vital for pet owners to inspect their air filters frequently!
How Does Using a Barrier Protect My HVAC System & My Pet?
If you happen to have a basement in your house, likely, your furnace is not in an enclosed space. If this is the case, you should consider putting up a barrier around your furnace to keep your furnace, and most importantly, your pet(s) safe. The same goes for your condenser located outside.
- The Furnace: It is a safety issue if your pet gets too close to the pilot light. In addition, it’s imperative to keep the area around the furnace free from accumulated dust, pet fur, dander, and other loose debris. Failure to do so can result in a fire hazard. You can keep your pet(s), family, and home safe simply by using a barrier around your heating unit. A simple way to do this is by using a pet gate or pet pen.
- The Condenser: Your condenser is your unit located outdoors. Usually, these are located in your backyard. So if your condenser is located in the same place your dog is allowed to roam and play, we suggest enclosing the area around the condenser. You can use a barrier made out of chicken wire or a picket fence. The last thing you want if you have a more mischievous little fella is for him to relieve himself on the side of the unit.
How Does Pet Hair Affect the Air Registers & Vents?
Air registers and vents need to be wiped down and vacuumed every so often. If left unattended, registers and vents can act as dust particles and pet fur traps. This, of course, is not ideal as it restricts airflow and negatively affects your home’s air quality. So make sure to include all registers and vents in your regular cleaning routine by wiping them down and vacuuming in between the slats if needed.
How Can an Air Purifier Help with Pet Fur & Dander?
If you have multiple pets in your home, an air purifier might be your new best friend. That is aside from your beloved pet, of course. Air purifiers are so helpful as they reduce the amount of dust, allergens, pollen, pet fur, pet dander, and other airborne pollutants in your home at a rather successful rate. In addition, utilizing an air purifier will help boost your home’s IAQ and ease the burden on your HVAC system. If you have any questions about what may be a good option to use, don’t hesitate to call us!
No matter what the need or concern is with your HVAC system, Eastland Heating & Cooling is ready to serve you and your whole family – furry family members included! We are open 24/7, 365 days a year! So call us today at (614) 861-5203, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
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