For many people, pets are considered part of the family and remain indoors most of the time. However, some challenges can arise when it comes to the existing HVAC system in your home, or you are installing a New AC. Pets can carry pollutants into the house after a lovely afternoon walk, and the dander they can shed directly impacts your A/C and heating system because it’s one giant filtration system. If those pollutants are recirculating through your HVAC system, they can wreak havoc on your allergies and your HVAC system.
How to get the cleanest air quality from your existing or New AC
Changing your air filters regularly is vital to your A/C system and your and your family’s health.
There are a few factors to consider when determining how often you should change your home’s air filters. For example, changing your filters once or twice a year may be acceptable if it is a vacation home with no pets. If it is a modern suburban home with no pets, changing your filters every 90 days work. But, whenever a pet occupies a home, changing your filters every 30 days is standard.
Never use low-quality air filters, as they allow the pet dandruff and dust to recirculate into the home and can cost more money down the road. Over time, costs increase because of the low air quality and the damage it does to your health and your HVAC unit’s vents, ducts, coils, etc. Don’t place objects that have dirt or dust on them near your intake vents, such as a vacuum, shoes, laundry basket, or pet crate.
Tips to get your AC unit running efficiently
By grooming your pets regularly, preferably outside the home, you will also keep your pet happy and your home’s air cleaner. Doing this should also mean your air filter has noticeably less pet hair when you change it. Dogs and cats with longer, thicker coats should be brushed every 2 days and bathed every 2 weeks. You can double the time between brushing and bathing if your pet has shorter hair, so they should be brushed every 4 days and bathed at least once a month.
Keeping your carpet vacuumed daily is another crucial step to having healthy air quality and maximizing your system’s performance and longevity. Using a quality vacuum tailored specifically for pet dandruff and hair is another plus, as it naturally removes specific allergens that pets have.
Keeping your temperature settings as moderate as possible will save you some money and reduce the amount of hair your pets shed. In the summer months, dogs and cats shed their winter coats, and keeping the A/C settings too low or high can harm the natural shedding process. The recommended setting for climates such as Florida is between 69-76 degrees during the summer, and the setting should be from 68 to 72 degrees in the winter. A mistake pet owners make is turning the thermostat up to 80 degrees when they leave the house, which causes shedding to be a year-round problem – adversely impacting the air quality and air conditioning unit.
While you can do much to limit the effects of pet hair and dander on indoor air quality, you’ll need some specialized help now and then. That’s why it’s always a good idea to schedule regular HVAC maintenance with EasyBreezy A/C, recommended at least twice a year for pet owners.
During our routine inspections, we’ll make sure that your HVAC system is cleaned carefully, and we’ll identify any issues that should be resolved quickly. A checkup helps keep your HVAC system working smoothly, keeps your system running longer, and saves you money!
Anyways, if you need help seeing the problem clearly or none of these tips helped you solve your AC problem, please feel free to contact us for more information!
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As an air conditioning technician, I am responsible for the maintenance and repair of HVAC systems. I work with various tools and equipment to troubleshoot and repair issues with AC units. My work can sometimes be challenging, but it is gratifying to help keep people comfortable in their homes and businesses!
