How Does Your HVAC Affect Your Pets?
For many Greater Cincinnati homeowners, their pets are what make their house a home. Did you know 68 percent of U.S. households have a pet? What does this mean for your HVAC system? Pets shed and cause additional dander in your home and it is important you keep the air clean for you and your pets as well. Pets have more sensitive noses than their owners and allergens bother them more. To keep your home a healthy place for Fido and Snowball, here is what you need to know about pets and HVAC maintenance:
First, make sure you are frequently cleaning and when necessary, replacing your filter. Filters help stop debris and dirt from entering your home and when adding pet dander to the mix it is more likely to get clogged and disrupt proper air flow to your HVAC system. Not only will your air quality suffer, but your system will be forced to work harder and use more energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Ask your Apollo HVAC technician which filter will best help your system cope with the added burden of pet hair. For example, they might recommend a high- efficiency filter that picks up smaller particles than a standard air filter.
Second, create or register a maintenance plan for your HVAC system and request that the technician checks the ductwork. It’s easy to forget about the “behind the scenes” aspects of your home, such as ductwork, and if neglected, years of wear and tear will cause problems for your family and your pet. For example, when there is a leak in the ductwork, you aren’t just losing air flow you also invite more dirt and debris into the system and throughout the air of your home. If you’re still concerned about pet dander in your air, ask your trusted team at Apollo about other products to help clean your home’s air.
Third, if you have a programmable thermostat, resist the urge to set the temperature settings to change too drastically during the day. Although pets are able to adapt to changing temperatures they are more accustomed to seasonal changes that change their coats during the winter and summer seasons. You can still program your thermostat to change while you’re away while considering the comfort level your pets.
If you have any questions regarding your home’s HVAC system and your pets, please contact Apollo Home Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for the answers you need. We’ve been serving the Greater Cincinnati area for the past 100 years. Just imagine how many pets and their owners we have helped breathe better!