HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners with Pets

What do dogs and cats have in common (other than they’re both four-legged and furry)? They are pets! Homeowners can be pet owners too, and it’s these kinds of people we’d like to talk about today. That’s because homeowners who are pet owners not only have to take care of their fur babies, but also their homes – and in this case, the HVAC systems. Here are some of our HVAC maintenance tips for homeowners who are pet owners as well.

1. Clean Air Filters More Often

The thing about being a pet owner is, you get a lot of dog or cat hair floating around too, not just on your favourite clothes. A lot of that dander and fluff can float into the nearest air vent and accumulate together into one big hairy clog of a mess, meaning your HVAC systems are going to work harder than they should to provide proper heating or cooling. It means your energy bills are going to spike up in cost, too.

Pet owners will have to clean the air filters in their HVAC systems a little more often in order to achieve greater airflow and decrease the likelihood of unpleasant surprises when your energy bill arrives. Typically, homeowners may clean their filters every 3 months, but in the case of pet owners since pet dander does accumulate way more often, we recommend they clean the filter every month. That way you’re extending the lifespan of the HVAC in your home.

2. Groom Your Pets

Grooming your dog or cat is not only a good way to bond, but also it helps them shed less! Going back to the air filters tip, blockages don’t just affect the performance of your HVAC’s abilities alone. The accumulation of pet dander and fur in the vents can decrease the quality of the indoor air you breathe in tremendously, and this is bad especially if you or your family have allergies to be aware of.

Dispose of the fur each time you finish brushing or combing your pet properly, and if your pet is a long-haired breed then it’s wise to vacuum when you’re done also. This will not only improve the HVAC, but also the indoor air quality it’s supposed to help with.

3. Pets Deserve Comfort Too!

Anytime you need to leave the house and your pets must stay behind, it’s best to program the thermostat so that it’s set to a comfortable level. While pets may not need the same level of heating or cooling as humans too, nonetheless they deserve to be as safe and comfortable as you.

Wondering about ideal temperatures? Here are some suggestions. For the hours you’re away, from home should be between 23 to 25 degrees Celsius (75 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer, and between 20 to 22 degrees Celsius (69 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter. You are free to adjust these temperatures slightly depending on your pet’s age, weight, fur coat length, and health, but don’t go any lower than 15 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter or any higher than 26 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer. Leave out water and a room to keep your pets cool when it’s hot, and a warm bed and open curtains for a sunny spot when it’s cold out.  

4. Invest in an HRV or ERV System

Either one of these systems can help pet owners get fresher, cleaner air in their homes without giving up comfort. The HRV, or Heat Recovery Ventilation, is designed to take warm, stale air to heat up the fresh air; the ERV, or Energy Recovery Ventilation system, uses humidity in a home to achieve that same process.

“Why not an air purifier?” you may be wondering. The answer is simple as we look at the two kinds. An air purifier will detox the air that exists in the room. The HRV/ERV systems are called exchangers, meaning they will exhaust the stale indoor air and replace it with fresh air from outside.

Air purifiers are considered supplementary to ventilation systems. In contrast, a ventilation system itself comes built with an air filter and both removes the particles likely to harm you and your pets and freshens up the indoor air. So, in the long run, a ventilation system may work best for your family and pets in the long-term. Of course, you have your choice in systems depending on your budget, the size of your house, and various other factors, so consider all of these before you make your choice.

For more information on HRV and ERV systems, you can refer to our previous blog post, “The Differences Between HRV and ERV Systems.”

5. Keep Pets from the Outdoor Units

The last thing you want is for your pooch to use your air conditioner’s outdoor unit as their bathroom! To avoid messy situations like this, or prevent further clogging thanks to your pet’s dander and fur, fence off any outdoor units you own for your heating or cooling systems.

Make sure the fence itself doesn’t interfere with the unit’s functions to draw in the air it needs as well. We suggest a clearance distance of 2 feet all around the unit. For multiple units, a clearance of 4 feet apart is recommended.

Get Some Help from Technicians You Can Trust

We love pets of all kinds and sizes and we want them to be as safe and happy as you want to be! If you’re struggling to keep up with cleaning the air filters, or you need help installing a ventilation system to improve your home’s indoor air quality, go ahead and give us a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!