Air conditioning is wonderful. In our area, it can even have lifesaving impacts on your health and wellbeing during the hottest stretches of the summer. And dogs also have major benefits for your life and wellness. Simply being with your dog can lower your levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone of love and positive connection.

Unfortunately, there are times when having both a dog and an air conditioner will lead to some surprising complications. What are the ways your dog might negatively impact your air conditioner? What can you do about it? We’ve got some info for you.

Fur

Almost all dogs do shed some amount of fur. Some dogs shed so much that you can make yarn out of it and knit yourself some dog mittens! While sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping will take care of the dog fur that settles to your floors, there’s also dog hair getting sucked into your HVAC system.

Shedding dogs will cause your AC air filter to become clogged much more quickly. This can lead to a lack of airflow, overheating of components, and the system short-cycling or shutting down prematurely. It can even put strain on the compressor, which you really don’t want to damage. Just make sure to check your filter extra frequently when you get a dog, or during times of heavy shedding.

Urine

Dogs are territorial creatures, and marking that territory comes naturally to them. They do it as part of their routine of protecting you and their home. They’re not trying to cause problems! But the acids in dog urine are extremely strong and can corrode and destroy metal. Here’s a wild fact for you: dog urine has been blamed in the toppling of city light posts in multiple incidents!

How can this affect your air conditioner? If your outdoor unit is in an area where your dog walks or plays, they will likely mark their territory on it. Over time, this can be incredibly destructive. Train your dog to stay away from it, walk your dog in a different direction, supervise them when they’re near it, or construct a small fenced-in area with open slats (to allow airflow) at least 3 feet out from the unit.

Chewing

Adult dogs tend to have learned to leave things alone. But puppies will chew on anything they can get their teeth on! If they have access to any wiring connected to your AC unit, they can do a lot of damage. Apart from the risk this poses to your air conditioner, the poor puppy could be electrocuted and seriously injured.

Make sure any room your puppy plays in has no wires they can reach. If you do have to keep your puppy in a room with wires, invest in some baby-proofing supplies to cover and contain those wires.

If you do encounter dog-related trouble with your air conditioner, or you’d like some more help protecting your equipment from your dog, your AC contractor in San Antonio, TX can provide good solutions.

Our professionals are ready to take care of you when you reach out. Contact Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.