A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million households own a pet. The largest number of these beloved pets are cats, dogs and other animals who tend to shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to have a dog or cat, a few additional steps are necessary to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Start with these seven tips 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 since it filters dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. If you own 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 rated to last three months, you may want to take a look once a month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, especially when your HVAC system runs most often.”
2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You may also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to trap dander effectively, Hughes added. Some pet owners sometimes upgrade to a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
Your air conditioning system, particularly the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have coils/heat exchangers that collect their share of dirt and debris throughout the year. In some unfortunate situations, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are near it on a regular basis, hair or fur can collect on the coils.
“The urine’s acidity can actually corrode the air conditioner’s coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If needed, install a fence around the unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggested.
4. Maintain a Regular Grooming Schedule for Your Pet
When you brush your pet often enough, less hair will enter your HVAC system. “I tend to suggest pet owners use 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. Clean Return Air Vents and Stay on Top of Vacuuming
Running the vacuum more often is an easy way to decrease the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. While you have the vacuum out, vacuum the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary based on your home’s design. Regardless, every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents draw in air and then clean and circulate it across your home via the supply vents, so more vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, pet hair and more.
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, 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 visiting technician is another pair of eyes for you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is an opportunity to establish a beneficial relationship that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
If the air filter gets clogged, contaminants and allergens can make it to the ventilation system, causing more long-term air quality issues. 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 few years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said.
To get all the details about maintaining indoor air quality with pets, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or request a professional HVAC tune-up today.
