Proper AC maintenance ensures a comfortable environment and functional system, but owning a pet or many pets can complicate things. That’s why we’ve come up with a pet owners’ guide to AC maintenance. Our tips will help you keep your home and AC in good condition with your furry friends by your side.
After all, pets enhance our lives with love, companionship, and joy. We love them, but we don’t love the fur, dander, and odors they introduce into our homes. Their presence can affect both HVAC efficiency and indoor air quality. But how? Let’s dive into how pets can compromise AC performance and your indoor air quality.
How Do Pets Affect AC Systems and Indoor Air Quality?
Having pets brings us a lot of joy and blessings. Despite this, our furry friends can affect your home and AC. Pet hair and dander may build up in your home and AC system. Once this occurs, the allergens may clog the air filter. Then, your AC filter will no longer effectively remove indoor pollutants. Debris blows through the ductwork, vents, and indoor living space. As a result, you’ll clean your home more often to stop hair and dander from accumulating.
Neglecting AC filter changes may lead to the following:
- Poor indoor air quality
- Decreased cooling capacity
- Higher humidity
- Contaminants and allergens dirty AC evaporator coils, blower motor, and fan blades
- Reduced AC efficiency and lifespan
- Pet fur may mix with condensation, breeding mold, and bacteria
- Foul odors further compromise your indoor air quality
- Allergies and asthma
What are the Top AC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners?
If you’re concerned about how to keep your home and AC system in tip-top shape, don’t worry!
Here are Fairway Heating and Cooling’s pet owners’ guide to AC maintenance:
Replace or Clean Air Filters Regularly
Pet hair and dander can quickly clog AC filters, reducing system airflow. Your AC becomes less efficient due to working harder to maintain your home’s set temperature. Decreased system efficiency can also lead to costly breakdowns. For homes with pets, check AC filters monthly and replace or clean them every 1-2 months.
Choose an HVAC Filter with a High MERV Rating
The truth is that not all air filters are made equal. Finding filters with a good Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) is essential. MERV ratings represent a filter’s ability to trap particles. Look for filters with a rating between 8 to 13. Higher ratings mean the filter better traps smaller particles without restricting system airflow.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters provide superior filtration for pet owners. HEPA filters remove 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. However, they may require modifications to your system. Check with your HVAC professional for system compatibility.
Groom Pets Regularly
Regular grooming reduces loose fur and pet dander in your home. Brush pets that shed a lot or have long hair outdoors. Grooming your furry companions prevents debris from clogging your HVAC system. This helps maintain good indoor air quality and AC system health.
Clean Living Spaces Often
Pet hair and dander settle on floors, carpets, and furniture. Regular cleaning prevents these particles from becoming airborne and entering your AC system. Focus on should high-traffic areas where your pets spend most of their time. Regular cleaning removes pet hair, dander, and dirt from outside.
Maintain Proper Humidity Levels
High humidity promotes mold growth. Professionals recommend indoor humidity remain between 30% and 50%. Keep moisture levels low for a comfortable environment and efficient HVAC system function. You can purchase a humidistat to measure humidity levels in your home.
Monitor and Improve Indoor Air Quality
Regular dusting and vacuuming removes dust and particulate buildup in your home. In addition, consider using exhaust fans while cooking. Both can further improve air quality and ensure efficient AC system function.
You can also buy air quality monitors to identify indoor pollutants. Some low-cost monitors can report levels of various contaminants. This allows you to be proactive and find ways to eliminate them.
Implementing these strategies will give you a healthier environment and AC system.
Restrict Pet Access to Certain Areas
Limit pets’ access to rooms with vents or HVAC equipment. This reduces the amount of hair and dander entering the system. This step can prolong your AC’s lifespan and maintain healthy indoor air quality.
Keep Litter Boxes Away from Air Vents
If you have cats, keep litter boxes away from the air. Litter boxes are a source of dust, odors, and bacteria that can spread throughout your home and AC system. Alternatively, keep litter boxes in well-ventilated areas and away from AC intake vents.
Clean Pet Bedding and Toys Regularly
Cleaning pet beds, blankets, and toys weekly in hot water minimizes allergen buildup. In return, less pet hair and dander will enter your AC system.
Place a Mat at the Entryways
Pets track in dirt, pollen, and other pollutants from outside. Place a washable mat at door entryways to reduce debris. This prevents them from circulating through your HVAC system.
Avoid Blocking Vents and Registers
Ensure that pets and their accessories do not block air vents and registers. Obstructed vents will fail to distribute air evenly and reduce AC system efficiency.
Schedule Professional Duct Cleanings
Pet hair and dander can accumulate in the ductwork. As a result, you may suffer from reduced AC efficiency and poor indoor air quality. Scheduling professional duct cleanings every few years reduces buildup, promoting clean air circulation.
Why Should Pet Owners Schedule Routine Professional HVAC Maintenance?
HVAC professionals recommend annual or bi-annual maintenance checks to ensure proper system function. However, having pets means that your system may require more frequent maintenance. Technicians can identify and address issues like fur buildup in ductwork. This will help your system perform optimally and prevent costly repairs.
Additional Tips to Improve Air Quality and HVAC Efficiency for Pet Owners
The following are more tips for improving air quality and HVAC efficiency for pet owners:
Keep Windows and Doors Sealed Properly
Unsealed windows and doors allow outdoor allergens and pollutants into your home. This can add to the contaminants from your pets. Try sealing gaps with weather stripping or caulking. Taking this extra precaution can further prevent compromising your indoor air quality.
Use a Dehumidifier
Along with monitoring indoor humidity, you can use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier can provide accurate moisture readings in your home. Knowing the humidity levels helps you prevent excess moisture from overworking your AC.
Use Pet-Safe Cleaning Products
Some household cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can degrade air quality and be harmful to pets. VOCs can also negatively impact AC function. They can react with copper evaporator coils, forming formic acid. Formic acid can cause corrosion and leaks, indirectly impair system performance.
Alternatively, opt for non-toxic, pet-safe cleaning products to reduce airborne chemicals. This precaution will make your home, AC, and furry friends safer.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are beneficial for busy or new pet owners. They optimize temperature control and reduce strain on your HVAC system. Some models monitor air quality, alerting you when to change your filter. This is great for pet owners who need those reminders.
Call Fairway Heating and Cooling for AC Maintenance!
Fairway Heating and Cooling’s pet owners’ guide to AC maintenance will help you achieve good air quality and HVAC efficiency. With these steps, you create a healthier environment for both you and your pets. More so, these tips will help extend your HVAC system’s lifespan.
At Fairway in Tampa Bay, we provide superior AC servicing at a reasonable price. We offer the affordable excellence that pet owners need!
Contact us today to speak to an HVAC expert or to schedule an estimate!
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