September 22, 2020

HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners

HVAC maintenance is a vital part of homeownership, but it is even more important for pet owners. Your furry friends are part of your family, but they have dander and bring outdoor allergens in on their fur.

As a pet owner, there are some additional steps you must take to maintain your home. Your HVAC system is no different. So, we put together a guide with HVAC maintenance tips for pet owners, to help you protect your family, and one of the most valuable systems in your house.

Bathe and Groom Your Pets

One of the easiest ways to maintain your HVAC system is to keep your pet well-groomed. Brushing your furry friend will eliminate a lot of the fur they would otherwise shed that can clog ducts and air filters.

Bathing your pet is also essential because it helps to keep pet odors out and removes allergens, fur, and other things your pet brings inside from getting into your home and HVAC system.

Be Mindful When Caring for Your Pet

Food, litter, and other items your pets use should also be disposed of promptly. If possible, clean the litter box outdoors; litter contains harmful:

There are financing options available for all situations. If you have:

• Chemicals
• Minerals
• And, Dust

Dirty litter can also be a source of toxoplasmosis and other diseases. So, it is best to care for cat boxes outside in an open space.

Pet food and waste should also be removed from your home as quickly as possible. Pet food attracts rodents and other pests that can damage your ducts and expensive HVAC components. Urine smells can permeate into your HVAC system and cause foul odors in your home.

Change Your Filters More Often

In a house with pets, the air filters need to be changed more often. Typically, homeowners should change them every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter, and how quickly it gets dirty. However, it is best to change air filters each month or as soon as they are dirty when you have pets to keep your air conditioner running optimally.

Vacuum Frequently

Vacuuming your home often helps to reduce the fur and dander your pet leaves behind. It is also a good idea to clean pet beds, mattresses, furniture, cat houses, drapes, and areas around food and water bowls to prevent fur and dander from accumulating. The less dander you leave in your home, the better.

Consider Your Pets When You Set the Temperature

When you program your thermostat, make sure you keep your pets in mind. When you are not home, make sure to keep your home temperature comfortable and consistent for your pet. Animals can get cold or overheat quickly.

Protect Your HVAC System from Chewing

Puppies will chew on just about anything, whether they are in your home or backyard. So, it is crucial to protect not only your HVAC system from damage but also your pets. If your puppy chews electrical wires or parts, they can get sick or injured.

Inside, it is vital to ensure you properly secure the air return and handler grates after you change your filters. Otherwise, pets can get in and travel through your duct system. Finding your pet when this happens is challenging and costly.

It is even more critical with small pets, like birds, reptiles, rodents, and cats. They like to burrow in ducts and are next to impossible to find unless you call a professional to help.

Clean Your Vents and Grates

Caring for your HVAC system also means regularly servicing it. Just imagine driving your car for years without changing the oil, or performing maintenance. Your car would not continue to run well. Your air conditioner is no different.

Having pets makes it even more important to have a qualified air conditioning expert look over your HVAC annually. Pet dander and hair can affect the performance of your system. Plus, it is essential to have a professional check both the indoor and outdoor components to ensure your family is safe and comfortable year-round.

Having an AC emergency is inconvenient regardless of the situation. As a pet owner, it is even more stressful. You have to worry about the safety of your animals as well as the people in your home. If the weather is severe and your HVAC is not working, you have to figure out how to keep all of your family members safe.

While summers in Edmonton are mild, HVAC systems that are not adequately maintained tend to stop working when temperatures are at their highest or lowest because your unit is working harder to keep the temperature comfortable.

When you have a technician service your air conditioner, they check all of the components to make sure your air conditioner is working properly. If there are any loose wires, or leaks they are able to fix them before they endanger your pets.

Work with a Pet-Friendly Service Company

It is essential to work with a company that cares about the safety and well-being of your four-legged family members. When a technician services your air conditioner, they often have to use freon and other chemicals to top-off your unit and keep it cooling properly. If the chemicals are not properly stored, disposed of, and kept away from animals, they can be harmful or deadly.

Get Your Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned

Regular air duct cleaning is one of the best ways to maintain your air conditioner and ducts while improving your indoor air quality. Dust, debris, fur, dander, and even small animals can get into your air ducts. So, it is essential to have them cleaned regularly.

Once these things get past the air filter, there is no way for your HVAC to filter it. So, every time your AC turns on, it blows the allergens, pathogens, mold, and anything else in the ducts into your home.

If you suspect a pet or small wildlife is in your air ducts, you need the help of a professional. It is essential to get the animal out of your duct as soon as possible. A small animal will not survive long in your air conditioning system.

Notes on HVAC Maintenance for Pet Owners

Owning a pet is rewarding; it can help to reduce stress and improve your mental health. Children who care for pets learn to be responsible and do for others. However, some work goes into being a good pet owner, and HVAC maintenance is an important aspect.

If you need annual maintenance, duct cleaning, or help to keep your HVAC system and pets safe, give us a call. We’re always happy to help.