If you are a pet owner, you already know that pets can affect your life in unusual ways. But being woken up in the wee hours of dawn for a romp in the backyard isn’t the only thing you should be concerned about. Pets, especially dogs, can affect your HVAC system, too. Consider these common issues they can cause and learn how to combat them.

Chewing

Some pets like to chew. This is common with puppies, but they are not the only canine pals that have the propensity to nibble on things that they shouldn’t. If your pet is guilty of this, they may chew on the wires to your HVAC system. This can cause it to malfunction and may injure your pet, too. To prevent pets from chewing on wires, encase the electrical lines in a conduit so they can’t get to them.

Clawing

Other dogs prefer to claw and dig at hard surfaces. When allowed to roam in the yard or left to entertain themselves outside, they might decide that your outside condenser is an excellent target for their interests. If they claw or dig at the fins on the coils, it can injure their sensitive paws and damage your system. Your best bet is to fence in the outside unit so that Fido can’t get near.

Urinating

If you have a male dog, you already know he has the tendency to lift his leg and mark his territory. This normally isn’t a problem unless he chooses your condensing unit as the target. Dog urine inside the coils can cause them to degrade and pose a risk of losing refrigerant. If your dog has decided to make your outside condenser part of his routine for marking his territory, put up a fence or other barrier to keep him away.

Shedding

It’s no secret that dogs shed. But did you know all that loose hair can clog up the air filter or block the vents in your HVAC or ventilation system? If you have a double-coated dog, things can get even worse. To prevent dog hair from damaging your HVAC system, groom and bathe him regularly and take extra care to remove loose hair in the home. That means more time spent sweeping, dusting, vacuuming and being diligent in cleaning vents and changing filters.

Outside Debris

Dogs that like to play in the woods typically return with dirt and debris on their feet and coat, all of which can get pulled into your HVAC system where it can clog the filters putting undue stress on the system. To combat dirt and debris from outside, brush down your dog to remove visible signs of outdoor debris — grass clippings, dust, bits of plant debris, etc. — before he enters the home. You also will need to check the filters often and replace them as necessary to keep your HVAC system functioning efficiently.

If you have questions about concerns about how best to maintain your HVAC system, contact Buckeye Heating & Cooling today. We have the expertise and experience to check your system for problems and make repairs before the issues become major ones. We can also offer tips for saving energy and increasing the efficiency of your system.