Pets are beloved members of the family for numerous households across the country. According to the National Pet Owners Survey from the American Pet Products Association (APPA), approximately 86.9 million U.S. families own at least one pet. A study from the Pew Research Center found that 97% of pet owners view their animal companions as vital members of the family, and many individuals can bond with their pets as much as they can bond with other humans.
While pets enrich the lives of families, they can also bring unique challenges into homes. Per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pets produce various biological pollutants, allergens, and odors that can affect indoor air quality (IAQ). Fortunately, there are steps homeowners can take to minimize the negative effects of sharing a space with furry or feathered friends. A look at the top strategies for managing pet pollutants can provide a blueprint for maintaining a clean and comfortable home.
How Do Pets Impact Indoor Air Quality?
Pets affect indoor air quality in several important ways. All mammals and birds shed flecks of dead skin cells. Scientists refer to these tiny, microscopic flakes as dander. In addition to the flakes that attach to skin, dander can also stick to fur, hair, or feathers. Pets can then spread this dander as they move around the house. As animals groom themselves, they can also spread dander via saliva.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), dander contains a protein that can exacerbate allergies and respiratory ailments within humans. Common pets like dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, and rabbits can all release these particles that disperse them throughout the home. Dander particles are jagged in shape, making them easy to circulate in the air and cling to furniture, carpets, clothing, shoes, upholstery, and drapes. Ducts or vents can also recirculate dander in various rooms of the house.
Along with dander, pets can also emit odors within your living space. Litter boxes, bird cages, rodent cages, and reptile habitats can all contain dried urine or waste. Old urine can evaporate quickly and release ammonia and other smelly fumes into the air. Similarly, any fur, feathers, or scales from your pet can easily pile up in its cage or habitat. Once these contaminants float into the air, they can easily clog your home’s filters and reduce the efficiency of your HVAC equipment.
How Can Pet Owners Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Homeowners can take preventative measures to reduce the unwanted impact that pets have on IAQ. Methods to improve IAQ include establishing a consistent cleaning and grooming routine, installing air purifiers, and replacing air filters. It is also important to designate pet-free zones in the home and schedule regular maintenance sessions.
Clean Consistently
Establishing a housekeeping routine can help reduce circulation of fur and dander. Consistently dust, sweep, and mop your rooms to remove pet pollutants from surfaces. You may also wish to invest in a vacuum cleaner equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, a HEPA filter is a specialized pleated device that can remove at least 99.97% of dust and airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm). This type of filter can trap allergens that would otherwise lower your indoor air quality. You should also wash the fabrics that your pets touch frequently, such as bedding, toys, and upholstery. Scheduling regular carpet cleaning can go a long way in eliminating dander that your pet may have tracked throughout the house as well.
Groom Regularly
Grooming your pet regularly is another important way to limit the spread of dander and fur within your home. For pet breeds with longer coats or double coats, this may mean brushing outside daily. Taking pets to see a professional groomer every six to eight weeks can also help keep their coats manageable and healthy. Talk to your vet about the best grooming practices and hypoallergenic shampoo brands for your breed.
Install Air Purifiers
Another important choice you can make for your home is to install an air purifier. An air purifier is a device that works by drawing air through a filter to trap contaminants and airborne allergens. Most air purifiers also include a fan that helps draw in air and an enclosure to help keep any contaminants contained. After filtering the dirty air, the purification device releases clean air back into the room.
Popular types of air purifiers include HEPA purifiers, activated carbon air purifiers, ionization purifiers, and UV purifiers. Each device has its own set of advantages. For example, ionic air purifiers emit negatively charged ions into the air to attract unwanted particles ranging from smoke to dust. The purifier then draws ions back into the device with minimal noise while helping the room smell fresher and cleaner.
Change Air Filters
It’s also important to consistently change your HVAC system’s air filters. Most experts recommend changing your HVAC filters at least once every 90 days. This helps prevent the filter from becoming clogged with dander or fur, and it can help prevent undue amounts of dander from entering your ductwork as well. Ask an HVAC technician about filters with the best minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating for your home. As a general rule, higher ratings denote more powerful filters. However, the MERV rating must also be compatible with the size and model of your HVAC unit for maximum effectiveness.
Create Pet-Free Zones
Another advisable solution is to create pet-free zones within your home. For example, you can designate all bedrooms as no-pet areas to reduce the likelihood of dander buildup in these spaces. Pet gates and barriers can help keep pets from entering specific wings of your home. Use washable rugs or toys in your pet’s play areas to make these spaces easier to clean and to reduce the accumulation of fur or allergens.
Ventilate the Home
Ventilation helps boost fresh air within the home and counteracts the damaging effects of stagnant indoor air. As the weather permits, open windows briefly to allow outside air to circulate. You can also ask an HVAC technician to install a ventilation air exchanger or additional exhaust fan to help remove stale air from your rooms.
Schedule Routine HVAC Inspections and Maintenance
Scheduling regular HVAC inspections and maintenance is essential for ensuring great IAQ. During an annual HVAC inspection, your technician can check your HVAC unit, evaluate air ducts, and make sure that all vents and registers are working properly. The technicians can troubleshoot any problems with your HVAC system, complete minor tweaks and repairs, and offer suggestions on which air purifiers or filtration systems can work best to create a pet-friendly home.
Contact Us Today
Owning a pet is a rewarding experience for families. However, it is also important to pet-proof your house to retain pristine indoor air quality for all home occupants. Fortunately, the experts are here to help. Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning offers indoor air quality services for homes in Seattle, Kirkland, and surrounding areas. Our technicians can install air purifiers to keep your indoor air breathable even if you have multiple pets. Sign up for an air quality consultation for a top-notch recommendation. We also offer duct cleaning and HVAC maintenance services.
In addition to air purification and filtration, our technicians provide heating and cooling installation or repairs. We can help you upgrade to a heat pump or install ductless mini-splits to create comfortable zones throughout your home. No matter the air quality issue, we can help. Contact Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning today for all of your HVAC and IAQ needs.