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 households own a pet. The majority of these family members are cats, dogs and other animals who can shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to care for a family pet, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to maintain your HVAC system. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
The quality of your indoor air depends on the state of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and allergens from the air. With pets, you might need to change filters more often.
“It starts with knowing when to clean or replace the filter,” said Jim Hughes, Director of Field Training with Service Experts, one of the nation’s largest HVAC service and repair companies. “For example, if you have a filter that’s supposed to last three months, you may want to take a look once a month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, especially during shedding seasons.”
2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You may also consider a higher quality air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners even opt for a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
The AC unit, especially the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have heat exchanging coils that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris throughout the year. In some unfortunate situations, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are frequently near the unit, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils.
“The urine’s acidity will cause the coils to corrode and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will lower the system’s efficiency.” If necessary, install a fence around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggested.
4. Groom Your Pet Regularly
When you brush your pet often enough, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to get rid of extra hair from their pets. This way you aren’t dispersing the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes said.
5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents
Running the vacuum more often can limit the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your 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 return vent system varies depending on how your home was designed. Regardless, every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and recirculate it across your home via the supply vents, so more vacuuming is another layer of protection against unwanted dust, dander and hair.
6. Schedule a Maintenance Call Every Six Months
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician every six months to ensure everything is running its best, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the technician visits, it’s a good idea to ask them about any extra precautions you can take to keep your system running smoothly.
“The technician is another pair of eyes for you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is a chance to establish a beneficial relationship that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
Once your air filters are clogged, pollutants and allergens can make it to the ventilation system, causing additional long-term air quality problems. If pet hair and dander still isn’t under control, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.
“I know some pet owners who get their ducts cleaned every few years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said.
To learn more about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
