How Pet Doors Might Affect Your Energy Bills

If you have a pet you allow to go both inside and outside, a pet door can give them the freedom to come and go as they please. But if it’s the wrong type, or simply not installed correctly, it can also cause problems. Here’s how to make sure you have the right pet door to meet your needs.

Energy Considerations

Basic pet doors are, essentially, large holes cut into your house. When you turn on your HVAC system, conditioned air can escape through that hole. As a result, it will take longer to heat or cool your home. Your system runs longer than it should, energy is wasted, and the unit wears out more quickly due to extra work.

One way to remedy this with the right kind of flap over the door. Rather than a flimsy plastic thing that can’t contain the heat, try a heavier, insulated flap that covers the whole door and reduces energy loss. You can also weatherstrip your pet door to create a seal, just like any other place in your home where air could leak in.

Alternate Types of Pet Doors

If you want, you can go a step beyond the simple flap door, there are several other options to consider. For instance, a solid panel door that slides shut or even locks when not in use, so you don’t have a steady draft coming in from outside. Some doors also have a magnetic seal to help them remain closed.

There are even electronic doors, programmed to open automatically when your pet approaches and close tight behind them. Such pet doors are programmed to recognize your pet specifically, so that they don’t open for neighborhood creatures, or for intruders.

If you want to see just how much energy you’re losing due to your pet door, try a home energy audit. Your HVAC expert can identify places where air is leaking out and recommend solutions to help you save.

To learn about other energy considerations, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly serve the Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin areas’ HVAC needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.