What would we do without our furry friends? Sure, they require a lot of care, but they bring so much love and happiness to our households that all the effort is more than worth it.
They also bring something else, though… and that’s a lot of hair! Believe it or not, pet hair and dander can have an impact when it comes to your HVAC system.
Unless you take some preventative steps, you might experience some system problems. However, if you follow these steps, you won’t have to worry about your pets interfering with your house’s ability to heat and cool.
- Brush your pet’s hair
Whether you have a dog, cat, or even a rabbit at home, all furry pets need to be groomed regularly. That’s for your HVAC’s benefit, not just theirs.
How so? Well, when hair enters your HVAC system, it can ruin your filters. If you can brush your pet on an easily swept hardwood flooring, that’s a great idea. If you can do it outside, that’s even better! That way, you’re keeping your filters safe. - Change your air filters
Did you know that you can buy filters that are specially designed for households with pets? If you know your pets’ shed rates, then you can change your filters in accordance.
For example, if your cat moves from inside to outside depending on the season or if your dog sheds its winter coat at a particular time of the year, then you can take that as your sign to change your air filter!
Changing your air filter regularly is always important, but it’s especially crucial when you’re a pet owner. - Protect your outdoor air conditioner
Pets love to spend time outdoors, but if they’re hanging around your heat pump or your air conditioning system, then this could cause problems. After all, these have strong suction capabilities, so they could draw hair into the system.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to keep your pet inside! All you need to do is build a small fence around the unit to keep it safe. That should be enough to stop fur and dander from clogging your system up. - Vacuum thoroughly
The air intake inside your house will pull any hair and dander that’s hanging around into your system. Your air filter won’t function properly if too much enters.
You can prolong the lifespan of your filter by vacuuming regularly to pick up as much pet hair as possible. In addition, you should edge around the exterior portion of your HVAC system at least twice a month. - Organize regular servicing
A petless household might find that annual maintenance is sufficient, but we’d recommend at least doubling that if you have a furry roommate.
The extra hair can definitely stress out your system, but by taking the preventative steps listed above and getting a Beehive Heating and Air technician to take a look at your system twice a year, you can keep your HVAC in good working order.