During the summer, the weather in the Camp Verde area can be sweltering. While this can be tough on you and your family, it can often be even tougher on your furry friends. Cats, dogs, and other pets overheating during the summer can be a very real problem, especially in warm climates like Arizona. As a pet owner, it’s vital that you’re conscious of this and take proactive measures to keep your pets safe and comfortable when the temperature rises. Here, we’ll cover some helpful tips that can effectively keep your beloved animals cool during the scorching summer.
1. Keep Up With Professional AC Maintenance
Keeping your home’s air conditioner running smoothly is a key part of maintaining a cool, comfortable environment for your pets. AC maintenance, which is a relatively quick and affordable service, offers various benefits in both the short term and the long run. After an air conditioner tune-up, your AC unit will have an easier time circulating cool air throughout your house, keeping your pets consistently comfortable. AC maintenance also provides other advantages, such as improved indoor air quality, lower monthly cooling costs, and reduced humidity levels.
At Goettl's High Desert Mechanical, we offer comprehensive air conditioning maintenance performed by skilled and experienced technicians. We’ll help you maintain a comfortable, energy-efficient home and a pleasant atmosphere for both your family and your furry pals.
2. Provide Them With Plenty of Fresh Water
Whether you have indoor or outdoor pets, giving them a consistent source of fresh water is imperative. It’s always important for your animals to stay hydrated, but it’s even more crucial when the weather heats up. Make sure that you keep their water fresh and put it somewhere that will allow your pets constant access to it. If you don’t allow your pets to become dehydrated, it can lead to exhaustion and a variety of serious health problems. Drinking water is a frequent way for cats, dogs, and other animals to stay cool and comfortable when they get too hot.
3. Keep Your Curtains Closed
Did you know that keeping your home’s curtains closed can have a significant impact on the temperature? Some types of curtains are specifically designed to help you conserve energy and control the climate of your dwelling. Even if you don’t have these special curtains, you can keep your home cool by covering any windows or glass doors that are exposed to direct sunlight. If the sun is shining directly into your house, it can make certain areas extremely hot, which may be unpleasant or even dangerous for your pets. Whenever you notice that a part of your home is getting too much direct sunlight, make a point to close the curtains.
4. Replace Your AC Air Filter
Your air conditioner plays an extremely important role in keeping your pets cool during the summer. So, it’s essential that you do everything possible to maintain a healthy, energy-efficient AC unit. Your air conditioner’s air filter traps various airborne contaminants as the appliance cycles. If you go too long without switching out this filter, though, it will become dirty or even clogged with contaminant particles. This will make it tougher for your cooling system to pull air through, which will hamper its ability to cool your home.
Depending on the type of air filter your AC unit uses, you should generally replace it at least once every few months. However, when you have pets, you may want to do it even more often, and the beginning of the summer is an excellent time to take care of it. As an added benefit, changing the AC filter will improve your home’s indoor air quality, creating a healthier atmosphere for you and your animals.
5. Stay Prepared for Power Outages
During an Arizona heat wave, a power outage can be an absolute nightmare. With no air conditioning or fans, your house can quickly become sweltering, which can be miserable and potentially dangerous for your pets. It’s essential that you have a plan in case of a power outage to keep your animals cool and safe. For example, having a battery-powered fan easily accessible is a great option for keeping one or more areas of your home relatively cool. You should also consider preparing a cool, well-ventilated area where you can keep your pets until the air conditioning comes back.
6. Keep Your Animals Groomed
If any of your pets have long hair, it’s important to keep them consistently groomed during the hot summer months. If you allow their fur to become excessively long and matted, it will make it much harder for them to stay cool. For many pets, you can groom them by simply brushing them daily. However, there are many breeds of dogs that require regular trimming or professional grooming to keep their coats neat and comfortable. If you have a pet that needs professional grooming services, the beginning of the summer is an excellent time to take care of it.
7. Invest in Fans
During the Camp Verde summer, you’ll frequently need to rely on your AC unit to keep your family and your pets cool. However, if you have the air conditioning on at all times, it will gradually wear out the appliance and greatly increase your monthly energy costs. One great solution for this is to purchase one or more fans for your home. You can go with a ceiling fan or a more affordable option, such as a box fan or a tower fan. Generally, fans require far less electricity than an AC unit, but they can be quite effective for cooling your home. When you need to periodically give your air conditioner breaks, you can ensure that your pets stay cool by turning on your fans.
If your pets tend to spend most of their time in one or two areas, those places in your house will be excellent spots for fans. That way, you can keep your cooling costs in check without decreasing the comfort or safety of your beloved animals.
8. Purchase a Dehumidifier
When the humidity levels rise in your home, you’ll typically notice that it feels much hotter than what the temperature would indicate. This is also the case for your pets. For animals like cats and dogs, excess moisture in the air can make it harder for them to cool themselves. This can cause their body temperatures to quickly rise to unsafe levels, putting their health at risk. If your AC unit isn’t sufficiently reducing the humidity in your home, consider investing in a whole-home dehumidifier. This appliance will allow you to choose your preferred humidity level, making it easier to create a pleasant environment for your pets.
Your Trusted Camp Verde HVAC Professionals
Since 1987, we at Goettl's High Desert Mechanical have been providing Camp Verde residents with top-tier home comfort services. Our skilled technicians offer maintenance, repairs, and installations for all kinds of air conditioning and heating systems. We also offer a wide variety of plumbing services, as well as indoor air quality services and commercial HVAC services. We take pride in treating our customers like family members and providing reliable, high-quality services. If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, give us a call at Goettl's High Desert Mechanical today!
