Helpful HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners

When you have a pet that sheds fur, it’s pretty obvious because you’ll see the fur on your furniture, clothing, carpeting, drapery and other places in the house. However, you might not realize that the fur and other particles your pets shed can play a part in the overall health and well-being of your HVAC system. Weekly dusting, mopping, sweeping and vacuuming not only keeps your house clean, but your HVAC unit as well! The more pets you have, the more diligent you may need to be about frequent cleaning.

CHOOSE OPTIMAL AC TEMPS FOR PET HEALTH

Beyond keeping your AC healthy, you should also think about your pet’s health. If your AC makes your house too cold, your pet will get uncomfortable. On the flip side, if you turn off the AC when you go to work, your pet may get uncomfortably hot.

Ideally, you should aim to keep the temperature in your home relatively consistent for your pet. Many people lower the thermostat when they go to work so that the system doesn’t run unnecessarily and waste energy. If you do this, consider setting the thermostat at about 78 degrees to ensure your pet doesn’t get overheated. When you are home, pay attention to how you feel. If you need to put on a sweater because the AC is making your home too cold, your pet is also likely to be cold.

INDOORS

Regularly brushing your dog or cat’s fur does more than make your pet look good, it also helps your HVAC unit run properly. Fur that’s shed, along with microscopic animal dander, can become airborne and create debris that can interfere with efficient operation of your HVAC unit. It’s very important to change your HVAC filters in a timely manner throughout the year, but especially when you have pets. Clean your vents frequently, too.

OUTDOORS

Outside, dogs and puppies can get into trouble around the AC condenser unit if there are exposed wires they can chew, so make sure electrical lines are encased in conduit. Place a fence or barrier around your unit if necessary to keep male dogs from urinating on the condenser. When your pet walks inside from the yard, be sure to brush off any grass clippings, leaves or other yard debris that may have accumulated in their fur so that it’s not distributed throughout your house—and ultimately into your AC vents and ducts.

At Dilmak Heating and Air Conditioning, in San Antonio, we understand that your HVAC system keeps your pets as well as the rest of your family comfortable, and we want to ensure you have the best equipment possible for the job. If you need HVAC maintenance or repairs or if you want to talk about investing in a new system, contact us today.