Know How Pet Hair Affects the Efficiency of Your HVAC System
Because pet hair is often airborne, it often ends up inside the HVAC components of your home. Cats blame the dog. Dogs accuse the cat. Whoever the four-footed culprit may be, however, when pet hair is shed inside your indoor environment in sufficient amounts, it can become a problem for the components that provide cooling or heating to your home.
In a residential home of typical square footage, the HVAC system circulates at least 1,000 cubic feet of air every minute. Anything afloat in this air continuously passes through the system ductwork and, potentially, into AC or heating components. Fur that’s naturally shed by dogs, cats, and other animals can affect the function of these units and even cause damage. Pet hair can also clog air filters, stressing the system blower as well as causing the air conditioner or furnace to run longer cycles to maintain indoor temperatures. It can also accumulate inside HVAC ductwork and even wind up in the AC indoor evaporator coil.
Here are some ways to prevent the ill effects that may occur when hair leaves pet and meets HVAC components:
- Vacuum often. Inside most any home, certain areas may harbor a continuous supply of fur shed by pets. Regularly vacuum rugs and carpets, drapes and curtains, and any other fabric surfaces that attract loose fur, as well as microscopic pet dander too.
- Change the air filter on schedule. Your HVAC contractor can provide information about the most efficient, effective filter to install in your system, as well as how often to replace it. Be sure he’s aware that your home includes pets that shed fur.
- Brush pets regularly. Pets naturally shed fur. Brushing the animal outdoors reduces the amount of fur that would otherwise likely become airborne inside your house. Ask your vet for guidance about how often to brush and bathe your pets, as well as what kind of brush to use for best results.
If there’s pet hair in your air, it’s likely accumulating in your HVAC components too. Ask the professionals at Jackson & Sons for solutions to prevent and/or eliminate this problem.