Essential HVAC Maintenance Advice 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 homes own a pet. The majority of these beloved pets are cats, dogs and other animals who will shed or spread 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 depends on the condition of your air filter since it filters dust, dander and allergens from the air. If you own pets, you may have to replace filters more frequently.
“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 might want to check it every month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, particularly during shedding seasons.”
2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter
You may also look into getting a better air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. You should aim for a nine or above to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners even opt for a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
Your air conditioning system, especially the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils or heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard debris each year. While it doesn’t happen often, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are near it on a regular basis, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils.
“The urine’s acidity can actually damage the AC coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If required, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggested.
4. Groom Your Pet Regularly
When you brush your pet often enough, 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. That 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 will limit the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your system. While you’re already 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. Regardless, you’ll always find return and supply vents. Return air vents bring 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, pet hair and more.
6. Schedule a Maintenance Call Every Six Months
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician every six months to make sure everything is working properly, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. Once the technician comes to your home, it’s a good idea to ask them about any extra precautions you can take to keep your system running smoothly.
“Your technician is an extra set of eyes for you to monitor how pets affect your 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.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
If the air filter gets clogged, dust and common allergens can make it to the ventilation 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 have their duct work cleaned every few years. For pet owners, it can be a smart investment,” Hughes said.
To get all the details about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
