Your Pets May Be Blocking Your Air Ducts – Here’s What You Can Do

When the Johnson family in Buffalo added their second golden retriever to their family, they expected a little more fluffy company around their home, but they did not expect a sudden onset of allergy effects, surging utility bills, and an inexplicable musty odor coming from their air vents.

For three months, they wrestled with this smelly frustration and called HVAC service providers on two separate occasions because of the allergic symptoms and smell. They decided to have their air ducts checked.

It turned out to be pretty bad. The technician found the ductwork completely clogged with a complete blockage of air flow due to pet hair, pet dander, dust, and other debris, compromising the indoor air quality. Pets were not the issue—it was years of debris relating to pets that had been building up in the HVAC system.

After the experience was over and the ducts were properly cleaned, the differences were instantaneous—cleaner air, less noise from the vents, cheaper heating and cooling costs, and finally rid of issues related to allergies!

The case of the Johnson family is not uncommon in homes in Buffalo, where wonderful pets are treasured members of the family. While furry family members can provide incredible joy and warmth, they can also cause HVAC complications if air ducts are neglected and not maintained properly by expert duct cleaning professionals in Buffalo. Let’s explore how this occurs, what to look for, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

How Pets Contribute to Air Duct Blockages

With a heavy fur coat, pets often leave their hair at the spots they sit and roam around, thereby getting sucked into the air ducts. Here are some top factors of blockages:

Pet Hair and Dander

Whenever your pet sheds or is scratching from itching, tiny particles of dander and hair are released into the environment of your home. Your HVAC system moves air through your ducts several times throughout the day and pulls in pet debris. The debris builds up along the walls of the ducts over time and can form thick mats, restricting airflow and allowing allergens to accumulate.

Pet Dust and Dirt

Pets carry dirt, pollen, and other debris from outside into your home. It may settle into carpeting or onto furniture, but it can easily become airborne again, and then pulled into the ductwork too, especially if you often use a vacuum without a HEPA filter.

Pet Toys and Chewables

In rare but notable situations, and even though you would only anticipate that pets would cause the problem, a small pet toy or a piece of something chewed can be beside the vent. These physical items do contribute to a blockage and are potentially a fire hazard in very rare situations.

Also Read: Emergency Damage Restoration Buffalo NY: Quick Recovery Tips

Warning Signals Your Ducts Are Clogged

Even if you vacuum frequently or bathe your pet often, your ducts may still be impacted. Some signals you should look for:

Allergy indications of sneezing, watery eyes, or difficulty breathing when your HVAC system is running.
A strange and musty smell is coming from the vents.
Dust builds up on your vent cover after cleaning it.
Experiencing uneven heat or cool in the rooms.
Increase in your bills due to the efficiency of your system.
Use the repair services too often, or change your filters too often.

If you see any or all of these signs, you probably should have your ducts cleaned and inspected by a professional.

Why Clean Air Ducts Matter More When You Have Pets

When you entrust and believe in the importance of clean air ducts for air quality, everyone in the household benefits, including pets! Here is how duct cleaning could improve your living situation:

Better Air Quality

Pet dander can be an allergen for many people. Thus, people who have asthma, allergies, and respiratory problems need to minimize items that irritate their airways. Cleaning your ducts may help contribute to a healthier environment.

Better Functioning HVAC

If your ducts are clogged, it will cause the HVAC system to work harder. Dirty ducts can reduce the effectiveness of airflow, as well as use more energy and put strain on the HVAC system, which will also wear it down faster.

Increase equipment life span.

HVAC systems are often fairly large investments. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning your ducts, will help the units stay for longer and may help ward off pricey repairs.

Reduce Odors

Sometimes pets cause a stale smell in the environment. You may not realize it, but they tend to shed hair and dander, and that buildup can lead to pet odor. Cleaning your ducts can eliminate increasingly stubborn smells and help to freshen up the entire house!

Smart Ways to Keep Your HVAC Ducts Clear and Effective

Since pet hair can cause a lot of clutter and blockage in air ducts, there is a need to take proper actions to prevent air duct blockage. Some of the easy and effective steps to avoid this situation include:

Step 1: Check and Replace Filters

The air filters catch hair and dander before it can get into the ducts. Pet owners should check their filters at least once a month and replace them every 30-60 days; and if it is shedding season, you may need to check and replace those filters more frequently than that.

Step 2: Vacuum with a HEPA Filter

Proper vacuuming with high quality HEPA filter bags/filters actually can trap in even fine particulates. Regular vacuuming all loose debris (including carpets, furniture, and pet spaces) reduces a lot of the debris circulating through the house.

Step 3: Groom the Pets Regularly

Brushing the pets outside, as well as bathing them frequently decreases the amount of dander and hair released in the indoors.

Step 4: Use Vent Covers with Filters

Some vent covers come with filters that filter debris before it can get into the ducts (these covers are wonderful for use in busy areas with pets).

Step 5: Plan for the Duct Cleaning with a Contractor

For pet-friendly homes, air ducts should be cleaned professionally by an experienced duct cleaning company in Buffalo every 2-3 years and every year in case the allergies mentioned above are excessive or the HVAC system is not working as it should.

Buffalo Pet Owners: Why You Should Take Action Now

With the year round summer heat and winter snap, Buffalo HVAC systems are always running. If your HVAC system is cycling pet dander and hair, it not only uses more energy in the system, it presents a risk to the health and comfort of the homeowners.

By improving your air duct cleanliness now, you can

Improve the indoor air quality before allergy triggers start appearing.
Reduce energy consumption on your HVAC system before increased demand.
Reduce exposure to allergens and airborne irritants for yourself, your family, and pets.

Conclusion: Make Your Home Pet-Friendly and Quality Air-Friendly

Your pets are part of your family, but the fur and dander they bring can take a toll on your home’s comfort and air quality.

If you are a pet owner in Buffalo who is in denial (or just noticed) that diminishing air quality, or air conditioning or heating problems, have come home to roost in your life as a result of your family pets, STOP, and DO NOT WAIT for something bad to happen! Do something today that will allow for a healthier, more comfortable environment for everyone in your home, including the pets.

At Rapid Dry Services, we are more than restoration experts, we are restoration supporters of health and comfort at home. We are experts in the full cycle of restoring your home to expert standards, including water damage restoration, mold remediation, and air duct cleaning in Buffalo.

Our team understands the special needs of pet owners, and also has the tools to create clean and effective HVAC systems. Whether you need to clear decades of pet hair or just maintain your indoor air quality, we’ll leave no stone unturned to neutralize harmful contaminants, and restore your health, comfort and peace of mind.Let us help you breathe easy! Contact us to book your free duct inspection today.