Here in Central Texas, we love our furry, four-legged friends. We regularly take our pups with us everywhere from the greenbelt to the local bar and spend a good portion of our free time posting adorable cat pictures to Instagram. Being a pet owner has many rewards — companionship, entertainment, snuggles — but it’s also a lot of responsibility. And one thing you might not have considered is how having a pet affects your HVAC system. Read on for tips from your San Marcos AC repair specialist to learn how to keep your HVAC system running smoothly in a pet friendly home and how to ensure your pets’ comfort and safety in the process.
Cleanliness Counts!
The number one thing you can do to prevent pet-related HVAC issues is to keep your pet clean and well-groomed. Regular bathing and brushing is essential to keep dander from affecting your air quality and aggravating allergy symptoms for those who suffer. Regularly sweeping, dusting, and mopping to reduce the pet hair in your home is also helpful.
Once dander gets into your HVAC filters, it can continue to re-circulate through your home and can clog the filter, causing your system to work harder and sending your utility bill through the roof. Make sure you’re changing your filters frequently (we recommend every 60 days). Consider signing up for a filter delivery service to make this task easier.
Wire Safety
We all know that puppies and kittens love to chew on pretty much anything they can get their paws on. Some animals continue this behavior well into adulthood. Make sure there are no exposed HVAC wires anywhere within your pet’s reach. Encase all wires in conduits and keep them as far away from your pet as possible.
Avoid Doggy Door Draft
If you’ve provided your pet with its own entrance to your home, it might not be just Fido going in and out on a regular basis. You might be letting outside air in (and letting your AC or heat escape) as well. Eliminate additional strain on your system and keep your bills low by making sure you’ve caulked around the pet door.
Cordon Off Your Condenser
Protect the outdoor elements of your HVAC unit from an inquisitive pet by putting a small fence or other barrier around the unit. This will prevent your pet from marking on the unit, which erodes the condenser fins and eventually causes leaks, or clawing the condenser coils, which could both damage the unit and injure the pet. Keep your animals and your AC unit separate to avoid costly repairs, vet bills, and emotional distress.
Your pets bring so much joy to your life and provide you with unconditional love and lots of laughter. They trust you to keep them safe from potential dangers. Make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect them from HVAC hazards, while keeping those family members without built-in fur coats nice and comfortable as well. With minimal effort, your pets and your HVAC system can coexist quite peacefully. And if issues do arise, contact your San Marcos AC repair specialist for fast and efficient professional assistance.