Furry pets make wonderful companions. However, their impact on your HVAC system is not always beneficial. Here are five ways that pets living in your Allentown, PA, house can affect your HVAC system and suggestions for avoiding potential HVAC problems.
1. Pet Fur and Shedding and Your HVAC System
Some dogs and cats shed more than others. However, fur can have a huge effect on your air filters and quality of air.
Unfortunately, your pet’s fur can clog the ventilation system and filter. Not only does it prevent air flowing through your system, but the hair itself also gets caught in the ventilation system. If your unit is not cleaned regularly, the accumulation of hair can damage it.
2. Pet Dander
Along with pet fur comes pet dander. Dander is the tiny particles of skin that come off of your pet. Like fur, this gets caught in your ventilation system and is moved throughout the air when your AC system is on.
How is your household affected? Once your HVAC system circulates warm or cool air into your spaces, you end up breathing in this pet dander. For those with allergies, this can be harmful.
3. Pets Bring Dirt From Outside Into Your Home
It may have been a good idea to take your dogs hiking on a dusty trail. However, dust from the trail will find its way into your home through your dog’s feet and fur. This dirt along with what everyone else brings in can block your air filter and cause havoc on your HVAC’s ventilation system.
4. Your Pet’s Marking Can Destroy Your Air Conditioner
If you have male dogs, you’ll know they like to mark their territory. Unfortunately, if they regularly mark their spot on your outdoor AC unit, it can corrode the AC coils and aluminum fins.
If the AC coils become corroded, freon will start to leak. And if your fins are corroded, your AC will cool at a slower pace, which means higher utility bills.
5. Pets May Chew on the HVAC Wires
Kittens and puppies like to chew on wires, so if there are any wires from your HVAC unit left exposed, your pet may chew on them and destroy them. This can ruin part of your HVAC system and be harmful to your pet as well.
How Can You Avoid These Issues?
To save your outdoor AC unit from marking, keep it fenced off from your dogs, if needed. Build a fence that is at least 3 feet away from your HVAC unit, so that you don’t interrupt the unit’s airflow.
Three feet should also be enough space for a service tech to make any needed repairs in the future. Make sure the fence isn’t a solid barrier so it doesn’t impede with airflow.
To avoid clogged filters from your pet’s hair and dander, make sure to check the filter at least once a month. If your dog sheds a lot, it may be necessary to change it monthly – or more frequently.
Another way to prevent your filter from clogging up quickly is to groom your dog or long-haired cat daily. This helps get rid of excess hair. Once the hair collects on the brush or comb, gather it up and dispose of it immediately.
An additional way to keep your pet’s hair and dander to a minimum is by giving your dog or indoor-outdoor cat a bath more often. You don’t want to wash your pets too frequently and dry out their skin, but you do want to wash them enough so that you keep the shedding at a minimum.
You will also need to vacuum and dust your house more often. Pet hairs like to settle behind desks, shelves, and even toilets, so have a handheld vacuum handy to vacuum up the hairs frequently.
If you need help with improving your indoor air quality in Allentown, PA, call Sullivan Oil & Propane. Our service techs will gladly assess the indoor air quality in your home and suggest necessary changes.
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