HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
As reported by the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million households have one or more pets. Most of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who tend to 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 keep your HVAC system running properly. Start with these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Swap Out or Clean Your Air Filter Consistently
The quality of your indoor air depends on the state of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. With pets, you may 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. “If you, for example, have a filter that’s rated to last three months, you may want to take a look once a month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, particularly during shedding seasons.”
2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You may also consider a higher quality air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, the ideal MERV rating ranges from five to 13, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. You should aim for a nine or above to capture dander well, Hughes added. Many pet owners also choose a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
The AC unit, especially the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils/heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris throughout the year. Unfortunately, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are around it often enough, hair or fur can collect on the coils.
“The urine’s acidity will damage the AC coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And if there’s a lot of hair in the condenser, it will start to affect system efficiency.” If needed, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests.
4. Maintain a Regular Grooming Schedule for Your Pet
By brushing your cat or dog regularly, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I tend to suggest pet owners use a vacuum brush to remove excess hair from their pets. That 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
Increasing how many times you vacuum each month is an easy way to limit the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. While you have the vacuum out, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary based on your home’s design. But every home has return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents pull in air and then filter and recirculate it throughout your home using the supply air vents, so more vacuuming is another layer of protection against unwanted dust, dander and hair.
6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, especially if you are a pet owner. When the technician visits, you might want to ask about other preventive steps to 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. “A routine maintenance call is a chance to build an important relationship that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.”
Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Once your air filters are clogged, dust and common allergens can reach the duct system, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. If you’re worried about pet hair and dander, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.
“I know some pet owners who schedule duct cleanings every few years. For pet owners, it can be a smart investment,” Hughes said.
To learn more about how to maintain indoor air quality when you own pets, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or request a professional HVAC tune-up today.
