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 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’ll want to take a few extra steps to keep your HVAC system running properly. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
Your indoor air’s overall quality hinges on the working condition of your air filter because it pulls dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. With pets, you may need to replace it sooner.
“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. “If you, for example, have a filter that’s supposed to last three months, you might want to take a look once a month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, especially when your HVAC system runs most often.”
2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter
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, with higher numbers providing better filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. A few pet owners also choose a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
The AC unit, particularly the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils or heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard debris each year. While it doesn’t happen often, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are frequently near the unit, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The acid from pet urine might corrode the air conditioner’s coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will lower the system’s efficiency.” If needed, install a fence around the unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggested.
4. Maintain a Regular Grooming Schedule for Your Pet
If you brush your pet often, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I recommend people use a vacuum brush to get rid of extra hair from their pets. This way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.
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 getting into your HVAC system. As long as you’re vacuuming, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The return vent system varies according to your home’s layout. Regardless, your home will always have return and supply vents. Return air vents pull in air and then filter and recirculate it across your home via the supply vents, so more vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, pet hair and more.
6. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Twice a Year
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician every six months for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the HVAC specialist arrives, you might want to ask about other preventive steps to take to keep your system running smoothly.
“The visiting technician is an additional Expert to help you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is the perfect time to build an important relationship that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Once your air filters are clogged, pollutants and allergens can make it to the ventilation system, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. 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 have their duct work cleaned every few years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said.
To get all the details 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.
