How Can You Avoid Pet Allergies?

We all love our furry friends, but it’s no secret we might not love their hair, fur, and dander blowing around our homes. Especially for people with pet dander sensitivities or allergies, a pet’s impact on indoor air quality can make the difference between being able to live with a furry friend, and having a pretty impossible roommate.

Once loose, pet fur can drift into vents and ducting, meaning it recirculates every time the system runs. Given enough time, and enough pets, hair and fur can accumulate in the HVAC system to such an extent it can impact the efficiency of the entire system, and potentially cause damage in the long run.

Most people experience allergic reactions and sensitivity to pet dander, which is the tiny skin particles shed by pets, mostly dogs and cats. These particles drift into the air causing sneezing, coughing, itchy nose, watery eyes, and more depending on the type of pet and the individual’s allergic response.

If you have pets, it’s a good idea to check your HVAC system to make sure you don’t have any pet hair issues to begin with, and use strategies to minimize hair entering the system. In addition to helping pet hair stay out of your system, the proper HVAC attention and maintenance can prolong the life and efficiency of your entire system, while also reducing the impact of pet dander on indoor air quality:

Duct cleaning removes any pet hair build up in the ducts, so you don’t have the problem of regularly recirculating irritants. Clean ducts mean much better indoor air quality, and if it’s been a while since you’ve had your ducts cleaned, it’s probably time to schedule one.

The filter is an important part of protecting your HVAC from pet hair, and most standard filters allow just about any kind of pet dander and hair through without much trouble.  Choose a high-quality HEPA filter that’s specifically rated for pet hair and dander, and make sure it can be used with your specific HVAC system. A Same Day professional can help you determine which filter is right for your system, your pets, and your allergies.

Having the right filter is a huge step in the right direction, but it’s not the only way you can leverage your HVAC filter in the fight against pet allergies. Changing the filter regularly is key to preventing allergies and keeping the indoor air quality livable.  Talk with a Same Day HVAC specialist and follow a recommended schedule to keep your filter, and your system, working at peak efficiency.

Depending on how much your pet sheds, staying on top of the cleaning can make a huge difference for your HVAC system. A daily vacuuming, sweeping, and etc. is a good place to start to minimize the amount of hair and dander that’s available to make its way into the vents.

If you’ve tried all the recommendations above and you’re still experiencing pet allergies at home, look into adding an air purifier to your home’s HVAC. A whole-home purifier is effective at removing the tiny particles that are responsible for most allergy symptoms, and can make a huge difference when it comes to living comfortably with your pets.

For more information about avoiding pet allergies at home, and HVAC strategies to help improve your indoor air quality, schedule online today or chat with one of our experts (619) 762-3044.