Dog and Cat Owners: Stay on Top of These Three Home Comfort Issues

Pets are a special part of your family – but they can also create special problems when it comes to keeping your home heating, cooling, and indoor air quality systems working smoothly.

Here are three potential problems posed by your pet – and what to do about them.

• Pet hair – Pet hair can clog HVAC air filters and accumulate in metal ductwork, causing your heating system to overwork – meaning you’ll pay higher energy bills and leave your system vulnerable to premature breakdown.If you have a dog or a cat – especially one that sheds – be sure to bring your “A” game to your housecleaning chores, and check your air filter for pet hair every few weeks. And most importantly: keep your heating and A/C systems properly maintained!
• Dander – Dander comes from your dog or cat’s sloughed off skin cells. If you have a forced air system (one with a central air conditioner, furnace and vents), it will spread dander and other allergens (including hair) throughout your home, degrading the quality of your indoor air.Bathe and brush your pet regularly to minimize dander flakes, and consider using a whole-house air filter to keep the air clean and clear.
• Drafts – Many dog owners install a doggie door so their best friend can come and go at his leisure. But just like any other portal to the outside, a pet door can leak air in or out of your home.Make sure your doggie door (and all your exterior doors and windows) are properly weather sealed, and that they close completely when your dog comes and goes.

Keep your pets happy and your family breathing easier with indoor air quality solutions from Carroll! Contact us today for details.

For everything you need in home heating, trust the pros at Carroll Home Services – keeping Maryland homes warm for more than a century! Contact us to get started today!