The HVAC system in your Oviedo, Florida, home can impact your pets even though they are not consciously concerned about it. Knowing how your pets are affected by your HVAC system can help you make decisions to ensure that your furry companions are comfortable in their homes.
Help Them Keep Their Nose Moist
As a pet owner, you know how important your pet’s nose is to them. This is especially true with dogs that enjoy nothing more than sniffing things as they walk. Some breeds of dogs are so driven by what they smell that they will ignore the rest of the world while following whatever scent catches their nose.
A moist nose is a good indication that a dog is healthy. It also underscores the importance of proper room humidity in the dog’s health. If your home has the appropriate humidity level, in addition to protecting your pet, you protect your home from damage. Excessive humidity can lead to mildew and mold growth. Too little humidity can negatively impact the floors and other wood elements. Adjusting your home’s HVAC system by including a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on the conditions outside, can keep you and your furry friend healthy and happy all year long.
Scary, Loud Noises
You may have noticed how your dogs and cats react when they hear a scary loud noise. They become alert, run, and hide. It may take some time for them to calm down after being startled by a loud noise. When your HVAC system starts making unexpected loud noises, it can impact the health and well-being of your pets. Additionally, loud and unexpected noises could indicate an issue with your HVAC unit’s function that will require your attention. Check your HVAC system for rust, dents, or excessive dirt collection if you hear loud noises. Pay special attention to the noise your HVAC system makes as you turn it off or on. Grinding and whistling noises could indicate that the motor is struggling to function, there is a refrigerant leak, or something else is happening that could be damaging your HVAC system.
Dangerous Refrigerant Leaks
There has been a lot of discussion about the link between refrigerants used in air conditioners and health issues that arise from exposure. As a pet owner, in addition to considering the effects of Freon on your health and that of your children, you need to consider the impact a refrigerant leak could have on your pets. It should be noted that pets and small animals are at greater risk if the home has a refrigerant leak. This is because refrigerants are heavy and therefore sit closer to the floor. Children and pets are more likely to breathe in the gas than adults are. If you suspect a leak from your air conditioning system, removing children and pets from the home is vital. Then, immediately contact the HVAC professionals at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical and let us help you get your air conditioner functioning as it should again.
Keep Dust and Debris Away
You have likely observed how your cats constantly groom themselves. They do this to mask their scent and avoid tipping off prey to their presence. It also helps to keep their coats clean, glossy, and healthy. However, if your HVAC system is not effectively filtering the air, the dust and pollutants in circulation can accumulate in your pet’s fur.
In order to prevent this, it is important to establish a regular maintenance schedule that includes replacing old filters based on the recommendations of your HVAC system’s manufacturer. In addition to filter replacements, it’s advisable to have your HVAC unit professionally serviced and cleaned at least once, if not twice, a year. This will benefit your pets by helping to keep their fur clean and improving the air quality in your home by removing excess dust, hair, and pet dander.
Keep Temperatures Comfortable
Many pets spend more time in the home than their owners do. This is because people live busy lives, including going to work, going to school, running errands, and doing other things. With a smart thermostat, you can set the temperature in your home to a comfortable level for your pets while saving on energy expenses. Many smart thermostats allow you to control your thermostat remotely using your mobile phone or another electronic device. This way, if there is an unexpected shift in the weather, you can make minor tweaks to the home’s indoor temperature, ensuring that your pet is able to spend their day comfortably.
As a general rule of thumb, if the temperatures in the house are too hot or too cold for you, it also affects your pets. Leaving a pet in a home with extremely hot temperatures and humidity could lead to dehydration. While leaving your pets in a home with temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit can lead to hypothermia and frostbite. Set your thermostat at between 68 degrees and 72 degrees during the winter to keep your pets the happiest.
Pet Proofing Your HVAC System
Just as you take steps to protect your pets from potential dangers posed by your HVAC system, you must also take measures to safeguard your HVAC system from your furry friends. For instance, pets can track dirt and debris from outside into your home, and even hypoallergenic pets can shed. Consequently, debris, hair, and dander can make their way into your vents, clog your air filters, and impact the function of your HVAC system.
Despite their adorableness and cuddliness, many pets have a mischievous streak by nature. While playing or out of boredom, pets may chew on electrical wiring, urinate on the HVAC system, or use the fins of your air conditioner to sharpen their claws. If your pets have access to any part of your HVAC system, installing a protective cover is advisable to prevent damage.
Pets, especially cats and smaller rodents, tend to squeeze into small spaces without considering the potential dangers or adverse outcomes. To protect your HVAC system, you can use vent covers that deter them from attempting to squeeze into tight spaces.
As your air conditioner removes humidity from your home, it generates condensation that gets directed to the condensate drain. Sometimes, pets are tempted to drink the water that drips from your air conditioner, but this is not recommended for any animal, whether a dog or a cat. Although the water may appear clean, it is not. The air conditioner extracts water from the air inside your home, which could contain toxins, pollutants, and heavy metals. Therefore, preventing your pet from drinking water from the air conditioner is essential.
Quality Air Conditioning and Heating in Oviedo, Florida
At American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical, we continually deliver great customer service and quality craftsmanship. Regardless of your chosen service, the Golden Rule guides us. We are happy to provide our customers with service that gives them 100% peace of mind. We are proud to have NATE-certified technicians and an A+ Better Business Bureau accreditation.
Our services include HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance. We install and maintain ductless air conditioning systems and offer preventative maintenance. Contact American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical today and see for yourself what sets us apart from the rest.
