Did You Know? Six Out of 10 Homes Are Subject to Cat or Dog Dander!
Your beloved pet is part of your family; and like other members of your family, you want to keep them safe and comfortable within your home. When you have a pet or pets in your home, you need to take some extra care of your HVAC system due to fur, dander, and other outdoor contaminants that your four legged friend can bring into you Buffalo home. Below we review some HVAC tips for pet owners.
Why Is Air Quality Important in Your Home?
Indoor air quality is a big problem. Poor indoor air quality can aggravate allergies, lead to your family getting sick, or just make it flat-out harder to breathe.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rates poor indoor air quality as an area of major concern, noting that common contaminants, endlessly redistributed by a central air system, can contribute to allergy symptoms and sickness. When you have a furry friend in your home, they can add different elements to your home’s air quality.
Six out of 10 homes are subject to cat or dog dander. Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers. Animal allergens are carried on small particles that remain airborne and easily attach to surfaces and clothing.
HVAC Tips for Pet Owners
Just because you have a pet in your home doesn’t mean your air quality will or needs to suffer. There are some things you can do to ensure you and your family, including the four legged members, continue to breathe easy.
Follow the below HVAC tips for pet owners.
– Regularly Clean and Replace Your Air Filter: When you change your air filter regularly, it helps remove harmful particles from the air. By not changing your air filter at least once a month, your indoor air quality can suffer, especially if you have a pet. An unchanged and dirty or soiled air filter means that the blower is spreading unclean, airborne particles throughout your Buffalo, New York home. One very impactful way to fight off the effect of pet hair and dander, with your HVAC unit, is to understand the different types of air filters and select one that will be more effective for your home’s needs.
– Keep Your Air Ducts Clean: When furry friends shed in the house, their dander goes into the HVAC system and the air ducts. Whatever particles are trapped in the air ducts recirculate around the home as the system runs. Inspect your air ducts for pet hair, dust, and other debris. If your ducts look dirty, it is recommended to get your ducts cleaned. Even if you can’t see the particles and debris in your ducts, it is recommended to have them cleaned every 3 to 5 years.
– Groom Your Pets Regularly: Grooming your pets can help to minimize the dangers of shedding. A dog or cat who is brushed regularly has less hair to shed around your home. When the weather allows, brush your pet outside, or vacuum the area where your pet was brushed indoors. When you are done, ensure the pet hair is cleaned up as soon as possible. Bathing your pet regularly can also help cut back on fur and dander shed.
– Clean Your Carpets and Furniture Frequently: Pet dander loves to hide in carpets and on furniture and is easily stirred up and added back into your home’s air, just by your family’s regular daily activities. Vacuum at least weekly to help remove as much debris as possible. By maintaining a clean home and HVAC system you can minimize the effects your pet has on your Buffalo home’s air quality. To the best of your ability, keep pets off of beds and furniture. It is recommended that you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
– Add Air Purification: Whether a room-by-room system or a whole-home air purifier system, adding some type of air purification into your home can help improve the quality of your air. They can help to pull out dander before it even gets to your HVAC system. Air scrubbers are a great addition to any home, with pets or not. Air scrubbers are devices that purify indoor air. An air scrubber is one of the most-effective indoor air quality solutions. Air scrubbers capture all airborne contaminants while thoroughly purifying indoor air.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a big problem. While the above HVAC tips for pet owners should help you improve your home’s air quality; we recommend an IAQ test to know exactly what is in your home’s air, so you can be sure to purify it.
Air Quality Experts in Buffalo, NY Area
At Reimer Home Services, our air quality specialists will measure and then provide you with a report on exactly what is in your home’s air. We’ll then work with you to improve your IAQ using air filters and air scrubbers.
To get started, contact us online or call us now.
