Created by Privette Heating & Air Conditioning Admin
It is Spring time! What does that mean for us Texans? It means warmer weather, the AC is turned on, and Pollen. During this time, it is important to get a professional to check on your HVAC system. It is important to maintain your HVAC system for any homeowner, but it is especially important for those with indoor pets. Your HVAC system may have a few special needs to run optimally with the addition of pet fur and dander in the air. The following are tips to help keep your system running smoothly while having pets:
Groom Your Pets!
Pet hair can clog your air filters. Regular grooming will help with shedding, which will prevent your filters from being clogged. Having your pet groomed professionally will help a lot. Regular brushing at home (especially for pets with a thick undercoat) will also really help.
Keep Your Home Clean
To help out your HVAC system, you should dust and vacuum your home frequently. Keeping your home clear of these allergens by cleaning will help keep your HVAC system from being overloaded by removing the particles before they reach the system.
Change Your Air Filters
We cannot stress enough to change your air filters regularly. Depending on your family size and activity level, you need to replace your filters every 1-3 months. When you introduce furry pets into the family, however, your frequency should likely be every month. Changing them monthly will keep them cleaner and place less strain on your HVAC system. When your air filters are clogged, your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain air flow. When you choose your filters, be sure to pay extra attention to quality. The cheaper the filter, the more often you’ll need to change the filter. High quality air filters will remove more debris from the air, and this is helpful for pet hair and dander, but also for family members who suffer from allergies. If you use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, your air quality will improve even more.
Clear the Air Vents
Changing your air filters alone will not keep the pet hair and dander from bogging down your HVAC system. Remember to clear the air vents, too! Vacuum off the air intake vents at least as often as you replace your filters. Also, go ahead and vacuum the vents that blow air, as well. Anything to help your system heat and cool more efficiently! Cleaning both types of vents will allow the system to not have to work as hard to circulate air through clogged vents.
Consider Having Your Ducts Cleaned
Just as pet hair and dander can clog vents, those particles that make it past the air filters can collect and block your ducts. There is some duct cleaning you can do yourself. Just be sure to turn your HVAC system off and wear a protective mask to avoid breathing dirty air. However, a professional duct cleaning will likely be your best bet for the cleanest ducts. They have special equipment to reach all the areas you likely wouldn’t be able to reach in your duct work.
Use an Air Purifier
Speaking of air quality, an air purifier can also assist in keeping your home’s air healthy. They help rid the air in your home of most of the pet hair and dander and other particulates before they ever reach the air filters. This is great for all kinds of seasonal allergens, too! It can really help the air your family breathes to be much more healthy for you.
Keep Up with Professional HVAC Maintenance
Your HVAC system should really be serviced twice a year: once to prepare for the cooling season and once to prepare for the heating season. The importance of regular maintenance really cannot be over-stressed. Maintenance is required for many things, most especially keeping your HVAC system running at an optimal level. For pet owners, though, regular maintenance will help identify concerns with the system due to the additional load pets place on the system. To find out about our service agreement, click on the following: Service Agreement Cleaning, Service Agreement Inspection, and Service Agreement System Check. You can also call us today to find out more about our service agreement.