Each time you return home, your beloved furry companion likely awaits you at the door with a warm welcome. While you enjoy cuddling up and engaging in playtime with them, it’s important to keep in mind that their shedding fur and dander can lead to problems with your AC system, potentially resulting in the need for air conditioning repair services.
Does your adorable furry friend’s constant shedding seem to take over your entire home? If so, you may find that their fur makes its way into every nook and cranny, including the supply vents that deliver fresh air to your home comfort system.
Over time, a significant accumulation of pet hair in your ducts can impede proper airflow, causing your filter to become clogged and forcing your blower motor to work harder than necessary to cool your home. This unnecessary strain can lead to faster wear and tear on your HVAC components, leaving you with the potential need for air conditioning installation services in Denver, CO, or a location closer to you. Routine pet care, house cleaning, and HVAC cleaning can help, though.
1. Sweep Often
Although you may not perceive the pet fur on your furniture, carpets, and other surfaces as problematic, it can accumulate quickly in your home’s ductwork. To mitigate the amount of dander and fur that circulates throughout your space and ends up in your HVAC unit, it’s essential to sweep and clean regularly. If you don’t already own a vacuum with attachments suitable for cleaning upholstery, it may be worthwhile to invest in one to ensure your living environment remains as clean and comfortable as possible.
2. Create an Area Just for Pets
If you find yourself struggling with a lack of time to keep your home free of pet fur, creating a designated spot for your furry friend might be worth considering. This could be a comfortable bed on the floor, or a cozy blanket placed on your sofa. By providing your pet with a unique spot to relax, you can contain much of the shedding fur and dander to one specific area, making it easier to clean up and maintain a spotless living space.
3. Give Your Pet Frequent Baths
Although bathing your pet may not be a simple task, this chore can significantly reduce the amount of fur they shed throughout your living space. Moreover, regular pet baths can decrease the concentration of dander that circulates in the air, potentially promoting your family’s health and extending the lifespan of your air conditioning system. Dander is known to exacerbate allergies, so if you experience respiratory problems due to excessive pet dander, it may be worth considering investing in a whole-home air filtration system. This type of system attaches to your ductwork, providing filtered air as it passes through and helping to alleviate allergy symptoms.
4. Schedule Regular Grooming Visits
To reduce the amount of pet fur in your home, make it a habit to regularly brush your feline or canine companion. Keeping up with a routine brushing schedule can help remove dead hair and skin flakes that often end up scattered throughout your living space.
Additionally, regular grooming is crucial for your pet’s overall health and well-being, as it helps distribute their natural oils, resulting in a healthier-looking and silkier-feeling coat. If you’re unable to find the time for full grooming sessions, consider locating a local groomer and setting up a regular appointment schedule with them.
Not only will your pet relish the pampering, but a professional groomer can also provide you with useful tips to keep your furry friend well-cared for between visits, tailored to their unique breed.
5. Replace Your Home’s Air Filter Every 90 Days – Or Sooner
Despite your best efforts, shedding is a natural occurrence that pet owners can’t entirely prevent. However, taking proactive measures to keep fur out of your ductwork can help alleviate some of the issues. One effective method to accomplish this is by regularly changing your air filters every 90 days.
However, pet owners should consider replacing their furnace filters more frequently, especially during periods of increased shedding. Owners of multiple pets may also need to change their filter even more frequently, with homes that house a heavy shedder requiring monthly filter replacements.
6. Keep Vents and Ductwork Clean
In addition to your furnace filter, pet fur can accumulate in your vents, hindering the flow of air into your home. As such, it’s essential to regularly inspect and clean your vents as needed, which is a relatively simple operation that anyone can handle with a screwdriver. Fur can also make its way into the ducts of your air conditioning system, affecting your home’s air quality and overall efficiency.
Since duct cleaning is a significant undertaking, it may be best to enlist the help of a professional company that can advise you on the ideal cleaning schedule for your particular situation. Keep in mind that your unique circumstances, such as owning a couple of Labrador retrievers, may necessitate more frequent cleaning.
While routine pet care can reduce the amount of pet hair in the air and throughout your home, it’s not enough to mitigate their impact on your air conditioner entirely. As such, regular tune-ups twice per year will ensure optimal performance of your HVAC system, particularly during hot weather.
