As if homeowners didn’t already need a reason to make air conditioning and furnace maintenance a priority, nearly 80 million homes in America have pets that stay indoors, even when their owners are not home. It’s important to keep four-legged family members safe and comfortable. The following information can help animal-loving homeowners do precisely that.

How to Keep Pets Comfortable at Home in the Winter

Know What Temperatures Are Best for Them

Cats and dogs tend to have body temperatures only a few degrees higher than humans, which means if you’re too hot or too cold indoors, so are they. An ideal temperature for all is between 69- and 72-degrees Fahrenheit; but sick, newborn, old, or injured animals might need warmer spaces. During routine furnace maintenance, ask your heating specialist to test your programmable thermostat as part of the equipment inspections to make sure it is properly working. It’s OK to set the thermostat a few degrees lower when you’re not home, but it should never be set below 60 if you have pets.

Consider Your Pet’s Coat

Cats and dogs come in all sizes and fur lengths, and well-fed animals with longer, thicker coats of fur will be more comfortable in colder temperatures than their short-haired counterparts. If your home has a mix of short- and long-haired companions, set the thermostat to a comfortable 69 degrees when you’re not home and make sure all of your pets have warm bedding and plenty of water.

Keep Your HVAC Equipment Serviced

Regular air conditioning and furnace maintenance should be performed at least once a year so a trained technician can inspect, clean, and repair your HVAC equipment as needed. Routine maintenance keeps your furnace, boiler, or heat pump running efficiently and is the best way to avoid a sudden breakdown when you need your heating and cooling system most.

Homeowners in the Cincinnati, OH, area can depend on the experts at Adco Heating & Air Conditioning to keep their HVAC systems running efficiently year-round. Their services include air conditioning and furnace maintenance, repairs, and installations. Their fully licensed and insured contractors are available for emergency service 24 hours a day to keep your family comfortable. Call (513) 471-3390 or visit them online to request a free estimate today.