Ever wonder whether your pets affect your HVAC system’s performance ability? There are indeed some ways your animal companions can influence your system, including their shedding of hair and dander and the tracking in of outdoor dirt and debris. Our pet pals are, without a doubt, members of the family, and our experts at Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling want to let you know more about how to maintain your pets’ welfare while also keeping your HVAC system running efficiently.
Why is it Necessary to Change/Clean Your Air Filter with Pets Living in the Home?
Air filters snatch offensive air particles from accessing your ventilation, heating, and cooling unit. The way we classify air filters is by their capacity to capture polluted air particles. Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, is a measurement scale signifying this ability. The lower the MERV, the cheaper the filter, but we encourage animal caretakers to invest in a filter with the MERV rating of at least 9-12 because anything lower cannot trap allergens such as pet dander. Even with a high-ranking air filter, sustaining a clean filter is necessary for preserving a healthy and suitable indoor air quality.
How are Media and HEPA Filters Beneficial?
If you have animals in your home, we advise you to invest in indoor air quality products such as media and HEPA filters. Unless you are involved in the HVAC field, you may have overlooked these devices, so let me tell you more about them. Media filters stop dust, dirt, and other particles from sneaking through your home’s HVAC system. Media filters are appreciated for being low maintenance and needing to be replaced only once or twice a year. Their surface area is perfect for filtering and trapping pollutants efficiently. But, HEPA filters generate the highest protection for your pet-friendly home! By destroying at least 99.97% of airborne allergens and pollutants, HEPA filters respectfully achieve a MERV rating of roughly 16! Their unique structure is outstanding for snatching up larger contaminants like pet dander. They only need to be replaced every few years, making this filter an even more productive investment!
How Does Grooming Pets Play a Part in the Efficiency of Your HVAC System?
Having your furry friends remain well-groomed will help protect your HVAC system more than you may presume. Both long-haired and short-haired animals often come with regular shedding of fur and dander. To prevent any build-up of unwanted hair from laying around the home, keep your pets’ coats well-groomed. Living by these standards is crucial for you, your family, and your pets’ health. Shiny, healthy coats shed a lot less compared to overlooked coats. Pet dander and foul smells can overtake your ducts, block your system and start to smell within your household if not appropriately maintained. As a result, the value of the air that you inhale every day will decline, establishing the risk for the development of annoying allergies. So while your home may not be 100% free of all shedding and dander as a pet owner, being vigilant and intentional with your pets’ grooming will help reduce shedding, keeping your loved ones happy and healthy!
Nevertheless, when choosing what filter to incorporate within your home, keep in mind the amount of pet shedding and dander you are exposed to within your home. You and your family’s health may be at risk if not taken seriously! Consider consulting with an HVAC specialist before making any investments to ensure you get the equipment most suitable to your health and your wallet! We are delighted to proceed in this discussion, giving you honest advice along the way to helping you and your pets live happily and comfortably within your home! Call Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling today at (740) 212-5849, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
