Whether you love dogs or you’re more of a cat person, more and more people are adopting furry friends to keep with them! However, the impact of an animal on your air conditioning unit is hardly talked about, and the presence of fur and pet dander can damage your indoor air quality significantly.
At Channell Heating and Cooling, we are here to help all of Hazlehurst’s families, including those with furry friends! We offer AC services that will keep your air fresh all year long, including shedding season! When you’re dealing with indoor air quality problems, there are a few things you can do to fix it.
The Best HVAC Tips For Pet Owners
While owning a pet is fun for the whole family, the impacts that it can have on your air conditioning and heating units are brutal. Fur, dander and dirt all can clog your vents! This means that your AC system is going to have to work harder to get around the dander that your pet leaves behind. Whether it’s a cat, a dog or a gerbil, there are a few key ways to protect your HVAC from unnecessary strain!
Get Covers For Your Outdoor Units
The outdoor unit of your air conditioning system is one of the most important parts. This is because it facilitates the movement of air from the outside to the inside, always providing fresh, filtered air. If you keep your pets outside, like many cats or dogs are, making sure they don’t sit on the unit is crucial. This is also because the fur and dander can clog the filter, which will damage the outside unit over time.
Getting a cover for your outdoor unit has a lot of benefits, but mostly protects the AC from fur or waste from animals. This will prevent the inhalation of toxic fumes or allergens that may spread through the air, as well as protecting the wires and tubes from biting.
Get A Stronger Air Purification System
Stronger air purification materials can be a huge help in making sure pet dander doesn’t have too much of an impact on the way that your AC operates. Air purification options for pet fur and dander include:
- HEPA Air Filters
- UV Air Purifiers
- Activated Carbon Filters
- Ionic Air Purifiers
- Air Purifying Plants
- Portable Air Filters
Using one or more of these can reduce the amount of pet dander and other allergens that are in your home, which is better for your health and your air conditioning. Keeping your home clean and vacuuming often will also reduce it, but mixed with a strong air purification system, the change can be drastic!
Performing AC Maintenance With Pets
Performing maintenance with a pet in the household looks a little bit different. While making sure to clean your vents and your unit is important already, it becomes even more important with the presence of pet dander. Cleaning out your vents can be a process, but its super important to do it at least once every two weeks.
To clean your vents, turn your HVAC system off entirely and remove the vent covers. This is important as it gives you the most access to the vents. Clean the vent covers with warm, soapy water to remove any build-up. Then, you can vacuum out your ducts using the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt, debris and pet dander.
During this time, you can also change the air filter or do any other maintenance that you would usually do during this time. Changing the air filter when you clean out your vents, especially with pet dander, is super beneficial as it makes sure that there is no clogging.
How Many Air Conditioning Tune-Ups Should I Schedule If I Have Pets?
Tune-ups are extremely important if you have a pet in the house. While you can do basic cleaning by yourself, having an HVAC technician visit at least once a year will identify and fix any issues. During these tune-ups, your technician will be able to evaluate whether your pet has done a significant amount of damage to your AC parts.
The absolute best amount of tune-ups you can get per year is two, once before winter and once before summer. This is the time that your heating and air conditioning will be used the most, making it important to schedule before those times for optimum performance.
Call Today For Pristine Indoor Air Quality!
For over 40 years, Channell Heating and Cooling has been helping Mississippi families protect their air quality. Reliable air quality is much more than a luxury down in the South, it’s a necessity! With all the pollen and pet dander that flies in from ranches and pollen from trees, it’s important to have pristine filters and air conditioners. Call today to take control of your air quality with a qualified technician.
