HVAC Maintenance Guide for Pet Owners

Pets are some of the most loved members of our families. However, they can negatively affect your indoor air quality and health. Dander and other allergens can flake off your furry friend’s fur and become airborne. The American Lung Association explains how pet dander can trigger allergies and cause congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and even rashes.

Pet hair also clogs your HVAC system’s air filters, which causes your system to work harder and further spread dander throughout your home. This applies even to pets with shorter hair.

How can you restore their indoor air quality and keep your family comfortable and healthy?

Best tips for pet owners

1. Groom your pet regularly

Regular grooming sessions for your beloved pets are crucial. When your pet is not groomed properly, they shed a small undercoat that increases the quantity of hair caught by the filter. This makes your HVAC system work harder than it needs to.

2. Clean air ducts and vents

Pet hair and dander can also make their way to air ducts and vents. Blocked air ducts encourage the growth of bacteria and viruses. We recommend hiring a professional to get your air ducts and vents unclogged.

3. Change your air filters regularly

Dander and pet hair get caught in the AC filters. Over time, these buildups decrease the airflow of your home and cause extra strain on your HVAC system, which can increase your utility bills. As a general rule, pet owners should replace their air filters after every 20-45 days.

The more pets you have, the more frequently you will need to change your filters. You should also change air filters regularly if any of your family members suffer from allergies.

4. Adjust the thermostat

It’s also important to keep your pet comfortable. The ideal temperatures for your pet range from 73-77 °F in summer and 68-72 °C in winter. Feel free to modify these ranges according to your pet’s age, fur coat length, weight, and health.

5. Fence off your AC unit

If you leave your pets unsupervised for too long, they can damage your AC unit by either scratching, urinating on it, or chewing important cables. To avoid investing in unnecessary replacement or costly repairs (as well as protecting your pets’ safety), ensure that the area around your AC unit is unobtainable for your pets whenever they are home alone. This can be done by installing a small enclosure around the unit or keeping your pet in a protected area of the yard.

6. Protect your condenser

A condenser (or AC condenser) is the outdoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the season. Pet owners should fence the area around their condensers so that your pet cannot damage themselves or the unit.

7. Call a professional for regular checkups

On top of taking the above preventative measures, you should always consider a a regular inspection of your HVAC unit by a professional. The regular inspection and tune-up will help you prevent the spread of pet dander all over your home, which in turn will keep your indoor air healthy.

Ready to keep your HVAC units in the best condition?

Whether you want an installation and inspection, Rinaldi’s is here for your HVAC needs. We can ensure that air ducts and vents are unclogged and that the equipment is working in the best condition. We promise an efficient working of your HVAC and a healthy environment of your home. Contact us today.