A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
Based on the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million families have one or more pets. The largest number of these family members are cats, dogs and other animals who can shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to have a dog or cat, you should take a few extra measures to maintain your HVAC system. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
Your indoor air’s overall quality depends on the condition of your air filter because it filters dust, dander and allergens from the air. When you have pets, you might need to change filters more often.
“It starts with keeping an eye on how the filter is doing,” said Jim Hughes, Director of Field Training with Service Experts, one of the nation’s largest HVAC service and repair companies. “For instance, if you have a filter that’s expected to last 90 days, you may want to take a look once a month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, particularly when your HVAC system runs most often.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You should also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest particles your filter can capture. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners also choose a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Keep the AC’s Condenser in the Best Possible Shape
Your air conditioner, namely the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have heat exchanging coils that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris over the course of a year. In some unfortunate situations, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are around it often enough, hair or fur can collect on the coils.
“The acidity in pet urine might damage the AC coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If needed, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggested.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
If you brush your pet often, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. This way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.
5. Vacuum More Often and Clean Your Return Vents
Running the vacuum more often can decrease the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. As long as you’re already vacuuming, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The location of return air vents varies depending on how your home was designed. But you’ll always find return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents pull in air and then filter and recirculate it throughout your home via the supply vents, so more vacuuming is another layer of protection against unwanted dust, hair and animal dander.
6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year to make sure everything is working properly, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the HVAC specialist arrives, ask if there are any extra precautions you can take to keep your system running smoothly.
“The technician is another pair of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is a chance to establish a beneficial relationship that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
If the air filter gets clogged, pollutants and allergens can reach the duct system, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. If you are concerned that pet hair and dander aren’t under control, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.
“I know some pet owners who schedule duct cleanings every couple of years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said.
To find out more about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, head to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
