If you’re a pet owner, you know that your pet is a part of your family. But unlike other family members, did you know that dogs and cats and other pets can actually impact the effectiveness of your furnace or air conditioner? With all of the fur, dander and extra dirt and dust they produce, it can impact your furnace or air conditioner’s efficiency. If you have a pet, try some of these tips for keeping your HVAC system running efficiently!

Replace Your Filters Regularly

Replacing your filters regularly is important whether you have pets or not, but it’s even more essential for pet owners. Pets shed dander and hair more than humans do, and the more pets you have, the more clogged your filters will get. Pet owners should replace their filters more often than other homeowners, so keep an eye on them and replace them as needed.

Bathe Your Pets Regularly

Curbing the amount of shedding your pet does is great for keeping your home clean, and can also help keep your furnace and air conditioner running more efficiently. Bathing and brushing your pets regularly will help to reduce the amount of hair and dander that ends up in your air filters.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

If you leave your pets unattended during the day while you’re at work, you might be tempted to maintain the same temperature as when you’re at home to keep your pets comfortable.  While we don’t recommend turning your HVAC systems off while you’re not at home, your pets are better equipped to keep their temperatures regulated than you might think. You can still adjust your home’s temperature a few degrees lower or higher when you’re not at home, and you can turn off the fan while you’re away from home too. Your pet will be able to adjust to the new temperature.

Keep Your Pets Away from HVAC Units

Keeping your pets away from your furnace or air conditioner is a given for safety reasons, but they can also damage your systems if you leave them unattended. Scratching and urinating on the systems can cause problems with your unit and can harm your pet.

Annual, preventative maintenance is important for keeping your furnace and air conditioner working efficiently, whether you’re a pet owner or not. Learn more about annual maintenance plans from Bryan’s Fuel in Orangeville.