How Pets Impact the Quality of Air in Your Home

Many people would agree that pets in a household are always a great idea. Whether you're a cat person, a dog person, or are fond of other animals, having pets boosts your morale and increases your overall life satisfaction. Studies suggest that dog owners live longer, for example, and dogs help stroke or heart attack patients recover better.

A fur friend is also cute and cuddly; once they turn on their charm, few can resist puppies or kittens! What isn't so adorable, though, is the negative impact of pets on your home's air quality. It's essential to learn how to deal with pet shedding and dander before a ductless air conditioning installation. Here are things to remember about air quality and pets in a home.

Pet dander can cause allergic reactions

Dander are microscopic flakes of skin from animals with feathers or fur. No matter how often you bathe your pets, they will shed dander, which is awful news for the estimated ten to 15 percent of Americans who are allergic to it.

People can also be allergic to the proteins in urine, feces, and saliva from pets. These have tiny, lightweight particles, and they can remain in the air even after you've cleaned up the worst of the mess. The particles can even settle into furniture, bedding, and fabrics.

Pet allergens affect your HVAC system

Things that flake off your animal's feathers or fur can become airborne, which circulates through your HVAC system together with dust and other minuscule particles. This is what your family breathes in. 

Apart from hurting indoor air quality, pet sheddings also clog the HVAC's air filters, making the system work harder and spreading the particles even more. An HVAC working overtime also causes a spike in your electric bill. Ask an air conditioning service to help you optimize your home's air quality.

Bathe your pet regularly to cut down the shedding

Bathe your pet at least once a month and brush them at least every other week. Though this does not eliminate dander or shedding, it will limit its spread. Regular bathing and brushing will also keep your pet happy and healthy.

Vacuum and clean surfaces frequently

One thing you could do to ensure good air quality is to clean your home frequently. Use a vacuum to get the dust off the couches, window sills, and hard-to-reach areas. Doing this keeps the dirt from getting redistributed by the HVAC. Make sure you have a vacuum with a HEPA filter. It reduces dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and smoke.

Use an air purifier at home

Purifiers come in various sizes and models. There are portable units and ones that cover an entire house. If you're going for a portable purifier, make sure it's the right size for the area you want to keep clean. If you have the budget for it, definitely go for a whole-house purifier. It can also keep your HVAC running smoothly, which reduces energy costs.

Conclusion

Your home's air quality affects your health. It's not enough to keep yourselves cozy in winter and cool in the summer; you must be sure that the air you're breathing won't cause allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues.

If you have a broken heater or air conditioner, or would like to improve air quality in your home, get in touch with us right away. Comfort Specialists provides HVAC services in Morris County, NJ, and we have over a decade of experience and thousands of completed jobs under our belts. Contact us today for more information!

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