HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
When you share your home with pets, managing hair and odors can feel like an ongoing challenge. Pets bring joy to our homes but can also impact our floors, furniture and indoor air quality. As much as we love our furry friends, pet hair and dander often spread throughout the house, creating unpleasant odors, reducing air quality and even straining HVAC systems. Read more for HVAC maintenance tips for pet owners.
Regular Grooming
Start at the source by grooming your pets regularly, as this is the first step to improving your home’s air quality. Regular grooming reduces shedding and minimizes the amount of hair and dander circulating through your home. Brush your pets outdoors, if possible, to keep the hair outside. By spending time grooming your pet, you’ll notice a world of difference around your home.
Frequent Cleaning
Vacuum regularly to reduce the amount of pet hair and dander which can settle in carpets, furniture and air ducts.
- Use a vacuum with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to trap pet dander and hair effectively.
- Focus on high-traffic areas, carpets, furniture and areas where your pets frequently spend time.
- Use a vacuum’s brush attachments for surfaces that collect hair, such as shelves, windowsills and furniture edges.
- An alternative to vacuuming is to use a microfiber mop or static sweeper for hard floors to pick up pet hair and dander. Damp mopping is effective in removing fine particles.
Not all pet hair ends up on the floor, so dusting is important as well. Lightly dampen your cloth with water or a safe cleaning solution to pick up more pet hair and dander without scattering it into the air.
Change Filters Frequently
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends that pet owners check their filters every 30 days and replace them at least every one or two months. NADCA also recommends using a HEPA filter to capture the smallest particles and further improve your indoor air quality.
A few reminders for pet owners:
- An air filter’s efficiency rating means very little if it isn’t routinely changed.
- Failing to change your air filter regularly can lead to lingering odors throughout your ducts and your home.
- A filter that is not cleaned routinely will become clogged with dust, hair and dander, allowing very little air through.
- Dirty filters decrease the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and can potentially cause major damage if they become too clogged.
Use an Air Purifier
Another great HVAC maintenance tip for pet owners is to invest in a high-quality air purifier which can help reduce pet odors, dander and other allergens. Some HVAC systems can integrate with whole-home air purifiers for even better results. There are countless options for air purifiers, so do your research before purchasing or reach out to a trusted HVAC professional.
Clean Air Vents and Registers
Air vents and registers are often-overlooked fixtures that can collect dust, dirt and allergens that affect your air quality and system’s performance. Regularly cleaning your vent covers is a simple way to maintain a healthier home environment and keep your HVAC system running efficiently.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Regular maintenance by an HVAC professional is crucial to keep your system running efficiently and prevent pet hair and dander accumulation from becoming an issue.
Technicians can clean internal components, check for issues and ensure your system is running optimally.
Maintain Ductwork
Even with the use of high-efficiency air filters, pet hair and dander can accumulate in a home’s ductwork over time. That’s why pet owners should schedule regular duct inspections and have their home’s ducts cleaned as needed. Ducts should be checked by a professional for the buildup of contaminants such as pet hair and dander, pollen, mold spores, dust and other debris.
Wash Bedding, Blankets and Curtains
Having pets often leads to more laundry and an increase in pet hair to manage. Regularly washing bedding, blankets and curtains can help reduce pet hair and dander in your home. However, the removable lint filter in your dryer can only catch so much, and pet hair will eventually build up, clogging your dryer vent. This makes dryer vent cleaning essential for maintaining your home, improving airflow and preventing potential fire hazards.
Stay Ahead with Preventative Maintenance
These HVAC maintenance tips for pet owners will help to maintain optimal system performance and improve the air quality of your home. If you have pets and it has been a while since you’ve had a tune-up on your heating and air conditioning system, you should consider scheduling maintenance as soon as possible.
The professionals at Barineau Heating and Air Conditioning can give you peace of mind, protect your investment and help you save money. Signing up for an annual service plan helps you save time, money and effort while keeping your HVAC system in top shape. With our Total Comfort Service Plans, you’ll receive a number of incentives, such as no overtime charges and a discount on repairs. Call 850-580-4029 to speak to a team member today or schedule an appointment online..
