Do Pets Affect Your HVAC Performance? 

May 20, 2022 | Pets, Blog, Dayton, HVAC, Maintenance, OH, Ohio

Did you know that pets can impact the indoor air quality within your home? Owning a pet can affect your HVAC system’s performance. Whether you have a fish, turtle, hampster, cat, or dog, or perhaps you have multiple pets, you should consider their effects on your residential HVAC system. At Five Star Heating & Cooling Dayton, we like to think of ourselves as avid pet lovers. We know that pets bring another layer of love and joy to the home. But in order to provide a safe and comfortable environment for you, your family, and your pets, it’s essential to keep your HVAC system running at its highest efficiency. So keep reading for some tips and tricks to maintain your HVAC system as both a homeowner and pet owner.

Will Regularly Replacing Your Air Filters Help Your HVAC System?

It’s recommended that homeowners replace their air filters every 1-2 months. Because an air filter sifts through airborne contaminants and traps them, if a filter is not changed as suggested, it can block airflow and lead to HVAC issues. Also, as a pet owner, it’s important to be mindful that your air filters will likely become full quicker due to pet fur and dander. So it is a good idea to check your air filters more frequently. Keeping your air filters changed will absolutely enable your system to function correctly and last for many years to come. 

Will Using an Air Purifier Help Your HVAC System?

Air purifiers are very beneficial to your home, HVAC system, and health and well-being. Using an air purifier provides an extra level of filtration in the air. An air filter may be a great option for those with multiple pets or a particularly furry breed of pet!

Will Using a Barrier to Protect Your Units Help Your HVAC System?

If you have an exposed furnace, you may want to consider using a barrier around it. From a safety standpoint, you don’t want your pet getting too close to the pilot light. In addition, it’s crucial you keep the area free from dust and pet fur buildup. These, of course, are highly flammable and are therefore a safety hazard. So using a pet gate or some kind of barricade around the furnace will help to keep everyone safe.

The same concept applies to your outdoor unit as well. If your condenser is located in your backyard where your pets roam, using a barrier around the outdoor unit is a fantastic idea. Perhaps you have a curious canine who likes to relieve himself on any object; if that’s the case,  you should place a fence or barrier around the unit to prevent this from happening. Just make sure the barrier is several feet away from the unit to allow access to it. 

Will Getting Your Ductwork Professional Cleaned Help Your HVAC System?

Pet fur, pet dander, dirt, dust, and other free-floating particles can build up inside your ductwork over the years. Per our NATE-certified technicians, you should get your ducts professionally cleaned between 3-5 years. The buildup inside your ducts can eventually cause issues with airflow and can put strain on your HVAC system. When this occurs it will lead to adverse effects on your home’s air quality. While you may not notice it immediately, poor air quality can cause long-term health effects. If you are considering having your ductwork cleaned, call us to see if this is a service we are offering at this time.

No matter the need, Five Star Heating & Cooling Dayton is ready and willing to assist you, your home, and your family! We value your service and would love to show you what it means to experience the five-star difference. So give us a chance and call us at (937) 708-8278, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!