Your Five Star Heating & Cooling Group experts value each member of your family. This includes your four-legged, furry family members too! As a pet owner, we know you want nothing but the best for yourself and your entire family. We also understand that as a homeowner, you want your HVAC system to run at its highest efficiency. So join us as we discuss how pet fur and dander can affect your HVAC system and how to make adjustments where needed.
How Does Using a Barrier Protect Your Units?
First, let’s talk about safety. If your pet has free range in your house and backyard, it would be best to use a barrier to protect your heating and cooling units. If your furnace is in an enclosed space, you should try putting up a pet gate or pen to prevent your pet from getting near the pilot light. This will protect your pet, keep them away from the pilot light, and protect your furnace from accumulating too many dust particles and loose fur, which can be a fire hazard. In addition, you should keep this area swept and vacuumed so that dust particles and stray pet fur do not build up and pose a safety threat to you, your family, and your home.
The same goes for your cooling unit located outside. Most condensers are located in the backyard. If this is the case for you, it’s equally important to ensure your outdoor unit is well-protected, especially if your pet goes into your backyard often. Typically, the unit’s area should be clear of any plant growth, objects, or obstructions, so keeping this area inaccessible to your pet will be the best thing to keep both your pet and the HVAC system safe. You can use a small fence or chicken wire to create a barrier. Just make sure that it is several feet away from the condenser, so it is still possible to access the unit when needed.
How Does Getting Your Ductwork Professionally Cleaned Help?
Dust, stray pet fur, and free-floating particles build up inside the ductwork over time. When this occurs, it negatively affects the indoor air quality in your home and blocks airflow, leading to problems with your HVAC system. Therefore, if you don’t remember the last time your ducts had a professional cleaning, it may be time to schedule your next appointment. Your HVAC system will thank you by running cool air smoothly through your house during these next few hot summer months! Feel free to call us to check if we can perform this service for you at this time.
How Does Utilizing an Air Purifier Aid Your HVAC System?
Air purifiers are excellent components to utilize. For pet owners with multiple pets, using one can significantly aid in air filtration, thus alleviating any extra stress on your HVAC system and reducing its chances of overworking. If you think an air purifier might be a good fit for your home, consider using a HEPA air purifier. They are well-known for their 99.97% efficiency rate in filtering airborne contaminants and bacteria. On top of that, they require little to no maintenance!
How Does Changing Your Air Filters Make a Difference?
Last but not least, don’t forget about your HVAC system’s air filters! They are made to catch and hold airborne particles such as pet fur and dander. So if left unchecked and unchanged, your air filters can become overloaded and cause airflow blockage. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians recommend homeowners change their air filters every 30-60 days. But if you have pets (especially multiple pets) in your home, it would be best to check your air filters more frequently.
Preventative maintenance and consistent upkeep makes a huge difference in prolonging your HVAC system’s lifespan. So be sure to keep up with your pet’s shedding with consistent brushing, grooming, sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting. And if you have any issues or questions, we would be more than glad to help. Five Star Heating & Cooling Group is open 24/7, 365 days a year. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today at (614) 490-7550, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
