Nothing really rivals the special type of joy that only pets can bring to our lives. They can help us manage stress, provide companionship, and make life so much more fun. All that being said, pets also come with responsibility and– let’s face it– a lot of shedding fur and dander. If you are a pet owner, you can bet that there is pet dander in the air ducts in your home, and that dander gets circulated through the air vents every time your HVAC system kicks on to blow in either warm or cool air. So, what can you do about it?
For some pet owners, that pet dander can cause allergic reactions and symptoms that are unpleasant to deal with, such as respiratory issues. Pet dander comes from tiny flakes of skin and hair that your pet continuously sheds, and of course, those particles become airborne, and travel through the home by way of your ventilation system. Though you can’t eliminate this issue, there are things you can do to minimize the impact of pet dander in air ducts and in the air inside your living spaces.
Minimizing Pet Dander in the Home
Sequester Pets
One thing you can do to minimize the effects of pet dander in your home is to limit the amount of time your pets spend in the bedrooms. The more time your pet spends in your bedroom, the more pet dander is able to accumulate there. Keep your bedroom doors closed when possible, and don’t let your pets sleep with you, especially if you are prone to allergic reactions.
Vacuum Often
It’s also helpful to be mindful of the type of flooring you choose for your home. If you have carpet installed, go for low-pile carpet products which are easier to vacuum and keep clean. Pet dander can accumulate in the fibers of carpet and build up there over time. This is why regular vacuuming is important. It’s also helpful to use a HEPA filter when vacuuming to remove small allergens and other particles more effectively.
Maintain Your Duct System
Your duct system matters. It’s extremely important to make sure the ducts in your home ventilation system are completely and properly sealed. If they are not properly sealed and have leaks in them, they can allow pet dander and dust to build up within the duct work, which then is blown through your air vents each time your AC or heater kicks on.
Change Your Air Filters
Dust, allergens, and pet dander get trapped in your air filters, which keeps them from entering your home. This is why it’s imperative that you regularly change those air filters! When your air filter is filthy, it can no longer do its job of catching those particles. That means that not only can allergens like dust and pet dander more readily enter your living spaces, but also that your HVAC system has to work harder to circulate the air efficiently.
Duct Cleaning
Another really important part of HVAC maintenance is having your duct system cleaned periodically. Dust, dirt, pet dander, and other allergens/particulate matter can build up in your duct work over time, and dirty ducts means dirty air coming into your home. When you work with HVAC professionals to have the ducts maintained, you ensure that those harmful allergens are properly removed so they cannot be introduced into your air supply.
Our team at Keith Heating & Air offers duct cleaning services in Rossville, GA, Chattanooga, and surrounding areas. Whether you have pets or not, it’s a good idea to have your ducts cleaned periodically to preserve the indoor air quality in your living areas. Clean ducts also help ensure your HVAC system is able to operate at peak efficiency. Contact us today to get started!