How Pets Affect Your AC

Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, or even chinchillas. Our pets are our beloved companions and, in my many cases, they’re just as much a member of the family as anyone else. But is it possible they’re not as wonderful for our AC systems?

The answer, sadly, is yes. Any animal that sheds is going to be destructive to your HVAC system in your home. It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be avoided. Hair gets into the ducts, clogs up the vent, and eventually gets sucked into the system. This can break the system if not properly taken care of, costing you thousands.

We have a few tips to keep the hair manageable though. Follow these and you’ll find your system is running smoother and more efficiently. And, in the long run, that means less you have to spend to keep you, and your pets, cool on a hot day.

• Change Your Filters – your filters keep air pollutants out of your HVAC system. If you don’t keep up to date on replacing the filter, your system will get dirty and then clogged. It is recommended that you check your filter monthly and replace it every three months, but you might need to do it more often if you have heavily shedding pets.
• Give Your Pet a Bath – this runs on the idea that you can get the loose hair off your dog or cat on your own terms before they lose it on the rug. Wash down your pet either in the tub with the showerhead, or outside if possible to get the spare fur out of your home. This also has the added benefit of keeping your pet feeling soft and feeling great.
• Seal the Ducts – have you ever noticed the vents in your ceiling? This is where the cold air blows out, but it’s also a fast-tracked path to the heart of your AC system. Make sure there is no space between the vent and the ceiling around it to limit where hair can float into.
• Vacuum Up – it’s okay for your pet to shed on the carpets, but you want to collect it before it has a chance to get into your HVAC system. So pick a day once a week to quickly vacuum any carpets or rugs in your home. If you have an abundance of hairy pets, adjust accordingly.
• Wash Carpets and Bedding – any surface your cat, dog, or other pet is allowed to jump on can be a place for fur to accumulate. If your bed is one of those places, you will want to wash the covers every couple weeks to clean off the hair. Carpets and floor mats that are machine washable should also be run through the wash.

Nothing can keep your air conditioning system running perfectly forever, but your efforts will go a long way. You can make sure your HVAC system is as efficient as possible by your own means, and then call the professionals at AC Repair Las Vegas to handle the maintenance and major repairs.

If you found our tips insightful, share it with your fellow pet owners on Facebook, Twitter, and more. And if you any other helpful ideas to manage all that excess hair, comment below!