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 homes have pets. Most of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who can shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to have a dog or cat, you’ll want to take a few extra steps 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
Indoor air quality hinges on the working condition of your air filter since it filters dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. When you have pets, you might have to replace filters more frequently.
“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 check it every month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, particularly during heavy-use seasons.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You may also look into getting a better air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Some 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
Your air conditioner, especially the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils/heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris over the course of a year. In some unfortunate situations, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are near it on a regular basis, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The acidity in pet urine might cause the coils to corrode and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If required, install a fence around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggested.
4. Groom Your Pet Regularly
If you brush your pet often, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “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 aren’t dispersing the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes added.
5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents
Running the vacuum more often can reduce the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. As long as you’re vacuuming, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The location of return air vents varies according to your home’s layout. But your home will always have return and supply vents. Return air vents draw 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, dander and hair.
6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year to ensure everything is running its best, particularly for pet owners. As the technician visits, you might want to ask about additional steps you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.
“The technician is another pair of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is the perfect time to build an important relationship that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
When your HVAC system’s air filters become clogged, pollutants and allergens can reach the duct system, causing more long-term air quality issues. 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. For pet owners, it can be a smart investment,” Hughes said.
To learn more about maintaining indoor air quality with pets, head to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
