Four ways to improve air quality if you have pets

Pets bring a lot of love into homes. Unfortunately, they also bring dander, which can take a toll on your indoor air quality – and your health.

Pet dander (tiny or even microscopic flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, birds, and other fur- or feather-bearing animals) can worsen allergies and cause congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes and more – not fun for people who are already sensitive to indoor airborne pollutants.

The good news is there are ways to avoid or minimize these problems and keep your Pennsylvania home healthy and pet friendly. Here are four of the most important ones (as a bonus, these tips will keep your HVAC system running better, too):

Mind your floors – Carpets are a hotbed of pollutants and allergens – including pet dander – so make sure to vacuum them with a HEPA filter once a week. Don’t skip the hardwoods, either: mop them frequently with white vinegar and water.
Check your air filters regularly – Keep an eye on your air conditioner or furnace’s air filters, examining them about once per month at the height of cooling and heating season. Clean or change them when necessary. Note: some air filters are made especially for pet friendly homes and will prevent fur and dander from blocking your filter. See your HVAC equipment’s owner’s manual for details on HEPA filter replacements).
Maintain your HVAC equipment. Ongoing maintenance of your HVAC equipment will help prevent the build up and distribution of allergens of allergens, including dander.
Invest in IAQ solutions – A quality whole house air cleaner takes care of the smallest pollutants that even your HVAC filter misses – including microscopic dander. By integrating with your central heating and air conditioning equipment, these powerful, easy-to-maintain units will keep airborne allergens and irritants out of circulation – and out of your life!

Did you know that Walton installs and services indoor air quality equipment from Trane, Aprilaire and Lennox? Now you do! Contact us today to learn more, or to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on IAQ equipment from Montgomery and Bucks County’s leader in home comfort: Clyde S. Walton.

Clyde S. Walton – serving Lansdale, Abington, Norristown, Warminster, Warrington, Horsham, West Norriton and surrounding towns in Montgomery and Bucks counties.