When it comes to our homes and our families, our pets are just as important as any other family member. However, with most other family members, you don’t have to worry about them shedding everywhere and their fur getting into your heating and cooling system – at least hopefully that isn’t the case! If you have precious fur babies in your home, here are a few tips from your friends at New Albany Heating & Cooling in New Albany, Ohio, that will help you to keep your HVAC system in good working order:
HVAC and Furnace are for Pet Owners in New Albany, Ohio
Keep Pet Hair to a Minimum in Your Home
Our pets are adorable and we love them, but we definitely don’t love the fur and dander that can get everywhere when they shed. Many homeowners don’t realize that these substances can cause serious issues if they find their way into the furnace. Pet hair can cause clogs and blockages that can ultimately result in serious damage to your HVAC system. By cleaning your home frequently and keeping it free of as much pet hair and dander as possible, you can avoid these issues. Vacuum carpets frequently, sweep and mop floors, clean furniture with lint brushes, launder bedding and curtains regularly, and keep pet beds and blankets clean and aired out.
Grooming to Prevent Shedding
Shedding is a natural process for your pet. It is necessary in order to keep them healthy. Even so, you want to avoid having pet hair and dander all over your house and taking a chance on it making its way into your HVAC system. A good way to avoid excessive shedding is by grooming your pets. Not only will this keep your four-legged friends healthy, happy, and content, it will prevent excessive shedding.
Professional Grooming for Your Fur Babies
If you don’t have the time to groom your pets yourself or if you aren’t sure how to go about it, take them to a professional groomer. Even if you do keep them groomed yourself, occasionally spring for a visit to a professional for a bath, flea dip, nail trim, the works. This will ensure that your pet is squeaky clean and will cut down on shedding hair and dander.
Your Pets and the Air in Your Home
Pets are not much different from humans when it comes to the temperature in a house. Temperatures can affect the moisture in our skin and hair, often causing dryness. When an animal’s skin becomes too dry, the result is excessive shedding and an increase in dander. Pets are most comfortable in temperatures in the low to mid-60s or low 70s inside a home.
Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter Regularly
The air filter is responsible for collecting the dirt, debris, and other pollutants from the air before it is heated by your furnace and circulated throughout your home. When pets are present, the air filter can accumulate a lot of hair and dander very quickly and become clogged. Normally, it is advised that you check your furnaces air filter once a month throughout the winter season and replace it if it is dirty. However, if you have pets in your home, New Albany Heating & Cooling strongly recommends that you examine the filter twice each month and replace it whenever it is dirty. This is crucial to the performance of your HVAC system. If your air filter becomes clogged and air cannot flow through it, your furnace will become overworked as it tries to force air through the filter, and the motor will become overheated. When this happens, it can cause irreparable damage to your HVAC system.
Use Pet-Friendly Furnace Filters
Do yourself – as well as your home and HVAC system – a big favor by choosing specially designed furnace filters that are created specifically to trap pet hair and dander along with other types of pollutants in the air. These types of filters can be especially beneficial if you have a family member who has asthma, allergies, or some other type of respiratory issue.
Schedule a Professional HVAC Inspection
Another recommendation from New Albany Heating & Cooling for those who have pets in their home is to have not one, but two professional HVAC inspections done per year. Homes that don’t have pets generally have one inspection annually, but in order to make sure your system will be working at peak performance, it is a good idea for pet owners to have two annual inspections. If you live in New Albany, Ohio, or the surrounding area, contact us to arrange an appointment with one of our fully trained and licensed HVAC technicians for a comprehensive inspection and thorough cleaning of your HVAC system, which will include the air ducts and vents.
Wrapping It Up: HVAC Care for Pet Owners
Keeping your HVAC system in top condition when you have pets is not a difficult task. It doesn’t require much more effort than most people put into their normal housework routine. Keep the pet hair cleaned up from floors, furniture, and other areas of your home. Treat your pets to a professional grooming occasionally and keep them brushed in between appointments yourself. Replace your furnace’s air filter as needed to ensure that it is clean and free of pet dander and hair clogs.
For all your HVAC needs or with any questions you may have, contact New Albany Heating & Cooling at 614-636-5002 or visit us on the web to schedule an appointment for your HVAC inspection and cleaning. We are dedicated to providing the very best service to our valued customers.
