HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners – Reliable HVAC Services in California
As a general rule, you need to schedule your HVAC maintenance at least once a year to maintain its energy efficiency, ensure that you have a comfortable home all year round, and extend the life of your HVAC unit. Schedule a free consultation now with All Year if you need heating and AC maintenance and repair in the Sacramento area.
However, households with multiple pets may need more frequent HVAC maintenance than homeowners without furry companions. In addition, having dogs and cats, especially breeds known as “heavy” shedders, means you need to replace your air filters more frequently because their hair and dander can clog and block your unit’s airflow.
Basic HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
Here, we list the most basic maintenance tips to ensure that your HVAC unit is working properly. For additional tips, you can read our blog about preventive summer maintenance for your AC.
Clean filters regularly
As a general rule, you must change or clean your air filters at least every 3-6 months. However, pet owners, people with allergies and large households entail more frequent cleaning or changing, ideally every 1-3 months.
While it may be tempting to skimp on new air filters, note that they play a critical role in keeping your energy cost low, maximizing the life of your HVAC unit, and maintaining good air quality in your home.
Keep vents clear
If your vents are blocked by dog beds, furniture or any item, it can lead to heat buildup and poor air circulation, which in turn result in inconsistent temperatures around your home and high energy cost.
Prevent dogs from chewing the cords and cables
Pets, especially young puppies, love chewing on things, including your HVAC wires. To prevent them from damaging your HVAC unit and getting themselves electrocuted, consider doing these tips:
- Block or hide access to electrical cables.
- Train your dogs.
- Give puppies other chewing options.
- Redirect their interest.
- Spray taste deterrents on electrical cords.
Prevent pets from urinating on your HVAC unit
It’s not uncommon for dogs and cats to urinate on certain areas of your house and garden to mark their territories. And for some reason, many pets find HVAC units, especially the condenser, a good spot to spray their “scent.”
If you have multiple pets, spraying is a common behavior; thus, you may need to install a fence around your HVAC unit. Take note that urine contains corrosive chemicals that can damage the internal components of your unit.
By the way, did you know that sterilizing cats and dogs may reduce their motivation for spraying?
Keep fur under control
You can keep fur under control by regularly brushing your pets and maintaining a clean home environment (through sweeping, hopping and vacuuming). Your HVAC unit will thank you for doing these simple tasks.
Pet-Proof Your HVAC System
You can do your part to keep your HVAC unit clean and energy efficient, but you still need professional technicians to conduct repairs and biannual or yearly maintenance. Call us at 916-922-7796 or visit All Year now to schedule your free consultation.
HVAC services that we offer:
- Air Conditioning Services in Sacramento
- Sacramento Heating and Furnace Repairs, Service, and Installations
- Sacramento Heater Repair, Service & Installations
- Radiant Heating
- Sacramento Solar Hot Water
- Water Heaters
We also offer solar and geothermal installation and home performance in which our technicians inspect your house for energy leaks and make suggestions to improve its efficiency, thus helping you save money on electricity.