For some homeowners, HVAC may be worrisome. Young children or pets that may think the HVAC unit is a play toy rather than a piece of machinery causing some parents and fur-parents to worry. Wash that worry away. We have developed three ways to make your HVAC unit pet proof (and child proof).
WRAP WIRING
Your playful puppy might think that the wires hanging from your A/C unit are toys to be chewed on. One wrong chew could ruin the wiring or harm your pet. Neither option is very appealing. Fixing wiring could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars, and harm to a pet or child is unfathomable.
To protect your unit and your pets (or young children), wrap your wiring in metal conduit tubing. This tubing will prevent your puppy from chewing through to the wires if they get a hold of the wiring. You can purchase this at your local hardware store, or consider hiring a professional to get the job done fast and right the first time. After all, you can’t put a dollar on the safety of your pets or children.
FENCE IT IN
Pets can do more harm to your unit than chewing the wiring. Some pets may dig at the unit causing harm to the metal body or to their soft paws. Other pets could mark their territory on the A/C unit causing electrical damage. Children pose a threat with thrown toys or other accidents while playing outside. Your HVAC unit can also be a tripping hazard outside for children.
To prevent your pets or children from coming anywhere near your outdoor HVAC unit, fence it in. Some homeowners install a small decorative fence as a simple deterrent for pets and children. Others choose large privacy fences to keep especially unruly pups away.
Savvier homeowners have built boxes around the HVAC unit that protect it from all sides. This option is especially useful if you have climbing children, animals with an affinity for jumping fences, or a strict homeowners association that prevents other forms of fencing.
Consult with an expert HVAC technician before building the box to ensure that your unit will have enough ventilation. A good rule of thumb is to leave a foot of space between the unit and any fencing. Don’t forget to trim your bushes too. Keep your garden greens back about a foot from the HVAC unit too.
CLEAN THE FILTERS
Our last piece of advice is: remember to clean the HVAC filters regularly. Pet hair can build up in the filters causing a number of issues, such as decreased efficiency causing higher utility bills and a shorter lifespan for your system.
To protect your unit from pet hair:
- Clean and replace the filters regularly.
- Bathe/brush pets regularly.
- Clean your home regularly to combat the buildup of pet hair in your home.
- Keeping your filters clean can reduce allergic reactions to pet dander for children and adults.
For regular HVAC maintenance, contact an HVAC technician from First Class HVAC. Our heating and cooling experts will help you develop a plan for keeping your pets and children safe and for protecting your HVAC unit from damage as well. Contact First Class today.