6 Things About Pets & Your HVAC System

Pets give us lots of love – and sometimes they give us a little more than that.

Fur and dander (dried skin) from your pets can have a big impact on your forced-air heating equipment and cooling equipment (and your indoor air quality and energy bills as a result), especially in the summer (peak shedding season, as pet owners know all too well).

That’s why It’s a good idea to stay on top of the “gifts” your furry, four-legged friends leave behind.

Here are six tips to stay ahead of the “fur curve” in your Maine home:

1. Keep them groomed – Regular brushing and grooming keeps shedding to a minimum.
2. Change air filters regularly – Air filters clogged with dust, fur and dander cause your HVAC equipment to overwork, resulting in higher bills, more HVAC repairs, and less comfort. Check your filter during peak heating and cooling months – more often if someone in the house suffers from allergies. Consider choosing HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters if they’re available for your HVAC unit, too – they cost more, but they’ll do a better job with allergens.
3. Clean your air vents – Hair, dander and dust can clog your vent registers, too – so clean them regularly with a HEPA vacuum and/or a damp microfiber cloth.
4. Consider professional duct cleaning – Clogged air ducts can become a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria – often in places deep within your ductwork that you can’t see or easily clean. A professional duct cleaning will take care of those hard-to-reach spots; the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends getting one every three to five years.
5. Consider adding whole-house IAQ equipment – Having a whole house air cleaner connected to your forced air system will ease some of the burden placed on your HVAC air filters.
6. Get regular, professional maintenance for all forced-air equipment – Regular HVAC maintenance is the best insurance you have for nipping efficiency problems in the bud, and for preventing small issues from turning into costly HVAC repairs and breakdowns.

Have you had your HVAC system serviced lately? Contact us today to schedule routine maintenance today!