Your pet could be raising your energy bill. Pets, especially dogs and cats, become family members. In fact, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says 37 to 47 percent of households have a dog, and 30 to 37 percent have a cat. Some are home to both. Clark Public Utilities Energy Counselor Amber Hall visits many Clark County homes with pets. So, it’s not unusual for her to hear a bark when she knocks on the door for an energy audit.
“As a dog lover, I know when a dog greets me at a customer’s door there are some pet topics that I probably need to address,” said Hall. “They include filters, closed doors and pet doors.”
Air filters play a necessary role in every heating ventilation and air conditioning system, including catching pet hair and dander along with dirt and pollen. Large particles, like pet hair, block the filter faster so it doesn’t take as long for a filter to clog and need to be replaced. Blocked filters force the unit to work harder and run longer. This extra effort produces higher energy bills and can also lead to HVAC issues requiring repair.
“Pet owners know that their pet’s hair travels everywhere and eventually is sucked into the HVAC system filters,” said Hall. “But they don’t always know what to do about it.”