Air Conditioning Installation Tips For Homes With Heavy-Shedding Pets

Some dogs and cats shed more fur than others. Pet hair can negatively impact a home's air conditioning unit. It can clog filters and ventilation systems, lower the efficiency of your air conditioner, and lower the quality of air in the home. However, there are measures you can take to improve air quality while enjoying the company of your furry companions. Thus, if you have heavy-shedding pets in your home, take the following steps when installing an air conditioning unit.

Go for a Ductless Unit

Ducted AC systems come with a series of ductwork that supplies conditioned air to the entire house. Unfortunately, during the cooling cycle, dust and pet hair may be sucked into the ductwork. Over time, these contaminants accumulate in the ducts and pollute the conditioned air. You have to clean your ducts more often to maintain the quality of air in your home.

Ductless air conditioners do not require ductwork to cool your home. They only have an outdoor unit and indoor air handlers. The absence of ductwork makes them a perfect choice for pet owners. You don't have to worry about pet hair and other contaminants accumulating in the ducts. Also, with no ductwork, cleaning the air handler and outdoor units is simple.

Invest in HEPA Filters

No matter the type of AC you invest in, you will still have to deal with pet hair around the home. As your AC pulls warm air from the room, it will draw out the hair as well. During the return cycle, the indoor filter traps the contaminants in the air before releasing the air into the room. Without a quality air filter, pet hair, pollen, and dust will circulate back into the indoor spaces.

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are a great investment for homes with heavy-shedding pets. HEPA filters remove up to 99.97% of the contaminants in the air. The filters can trap pet hair, dust mites, pollen, mold, and even airborne bacteria. HEPA filters can significantly improve the air quality in your home, especially during allergy season.

Set Up an AC Maintenance Schedule

Proper AC maintenance is crucial to improving indoor comfort and air quality. Therefore, as you install your new unit, talk to your contractor about setting up a maintenance schedule. As a pet owner, you may need to service your air conditioner more often to prevent air quality issues. For example, you should clean your air filters at least once a month to eliminate pet hair. Set up a practical quarterly, bi-annual, and annual maintenance schedule to optimize AC performance.

Heavy-shedding pets can lower air quality in a home and trigger allergies in households. As you install your new AC, consider the above tips to improve indoor air quality. For more information about air conditioning installation, contact a local HVAC company.