Pet Hair vs. Your HVAC System

If you have pets, your air filters are constantly fighting against pet hair and pet dander. Air filters play a very important role in your HVAC system. They are the gate-keepers that prevent contaminants from invading your home and mucking up your indoor air quality. They regulate air distribution and protect equipment from dust and debris.

Dirty or clogged air filters can cause your system to misread the environment, forcing it to work harder, run longer, and shortening the lifespan of your equipment. These less than ideal conditions can lead to higher energy bills, system malfunctions, and costly repairs/replacements.

Use these tips to help your system win the battle against pet hair and dander buildup:

Air Filters & Pet Hair

With pets in the house, regularly changing your air filter is an important reminder to keep on your calendar. As your HVAC system blasts treated air into a room, it is also draws in stale air to re-condition for later. Without a clean air filter, all of the contaminants that are in the air, like dust and dander, end up back in your system with the stale air. No matter what type of pet you have or how long their hair is, without proper filtration pet hair will obstruct your filter and impede on your system’s efficiency.

Don’t Forget About Dander

Pet hair is debris that you can see. But most pet owners forget about what they can’t see, like pet dander.

Ductwork is not immune from the effects of dander, either. It is made of metal, and its magnetic properties attract pet hair and dander. Without clean filters, when your A/C or furnace turns on, the dander and hair are free to blow through the system and your family ends up breathing it in.

Dander is the microscopic flakes of skin shed by cats and dogs. Most people with allergies are actually allergic to dander. Without clean air filters, dander can fill the air and cause health problems, especially for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues.

How to Reduce Excess Pet Hair from the Air

The best way to eliminate pet hair and dander from the air is regularly changing your air filters. Let your system do the work for you! Another tip is to groom your pets on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. By brushing or bathing your pets more often, you ensure that shedding is reduced. Depending on your respiratory health, it may be a good idea to invest in an air purifier. Most models are made to remove pollen, pet hair and other harmful particles from the air.

By following these helpful tips, you can keep the air in your home fresh, clean, and hair-free. At ALPS, we know pets are a part of your family, and we want to everyone safe and healthy.

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