Pets fill a household with love and affection, but they also come with their fair share of hair, dander, and dirt. This can make your furnace and air conditioning unit work harder than they should, leading to more wear and tear on your system. Here are some of the ways your pet might be hindering your HVAC performance and how to help solve the problem.

How Do Pets Harm HVAC Performance?

For the most part, dogs and cats shed a considerable amount. While fur and dander get on your furniture, they also float through your air and can get sucked into the return vents of your air conditioning unit. These contaminants then collect on the filter and clog it, meaning you’ll need frequent filter replacements.

Additionally, pets often bring in debris from outside, including leaves, buds, pollen, and twigs. These can be swept into vents where they obstruct airflow and make it more difficult for your HVAC system to function. Finally, pets may interfere with the outdoor unit, digging around it, chewing wires, urinating on it, or knocking obstructions in front of the condenser coil. Any of these actions can break your air conditioner unit.

How Can You Solve the Problem?

Brush your pet regularly to remove loose fur and remove outside debris from your pet before they enter your house. Also be sure to dust and vacuum regularly, as a clean home means a clean air conditioning unit. Inspect the outdoor condenser unit to make sure nothing is obstructing the hot air vent, and replace your HVAC filter every 60 to 90 days—more frequently if you have more than one pet. 

If your air quality is suffering due to a compromised air conditioning unit, contact J.W. Smith & Company in Omaha, NE. They have served clients in and around Douglas County for over 55 years, performing HVAC repair and air quality inspections. Visit their website to reach out online or call (402) 571-7590 to make an appointment.