Tips for Dealing With Pets and HVAC Units

We love our pets, and they are most certainly part of the family. They also post challenges for homeowners who have HVAC units! We’ve identified a few issues that often come up when furry family members are part of the picture. For each one, we’ve provided tips for keeping your home heating and cooling equipment running smoothly and efficiently—and for maintaining your Maine home’s indoor air quality (IAQ).

1. Pet Dander

The problem: Dry, dead skin from a pet, aka dander—along with other allergens—can spread through your home via a forced-air system (one with vents, rather than radiators or baseboard). This degrades your IAQ.

Tips

• Be sure to brush and bathe your pet regularly.
• Look into getting a whole-house air purifier.

2. Pet Fur

When pet fur gets into HVAC filters, it can quickly create blockages and cause the system to become overworked in no time. This buildup means it will cost more for you to heat and cool your home while subjecting your system to a higher risk of breaking down.

Tips

• Be sure to keep up with annual tune-ups for your heating and cooling equipment.
• On a weekly basis, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and mop hardwood and tile floors.
• Check the air filter for your HVAC regularly and replace or clean it (depending on which kind you have) as needed. Homes with pets may require that air filters be changed or clean more often than the usual recommendation of every three months.
• If your pet is five years old (or older) and sheds, look into a professional duct cleaning for your home.

3.Pet Door Drafts

If you have a pet door, air could be leaking into or out of your home.

Tips

• Make sure that your pet door is tightly sealed—this will not be an issue if it is properly installed. (This is also something worth checking on all doors and windows in your home.)
• Prevent drafts by applying weather sealant around the pet door.

We are here for you! Contact Murray-Heutz for a tune-up, service or with any questions. Not a customer yet? Find out if you’re in our service area for heating oil or propane delivery!