A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
Based on the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million homes have one or more pets. Most of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who can shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to care for a family pet, a few additional steps are necessary to keep your HVAC system running properly. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
The quality of your indoor air hinges on the working condition of your air filter because it removes dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. With 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 example, if you have a filter that’s rated to last three months, you might want to check it every month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, particularly 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. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know 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. Consider at least a nine or higher to trap dander effectively, Hughes added. Some pet owners sometimes upgrade to a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
Your air conditioner, namely the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils/heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard debris throughout the year. In some unfortunate situations, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are frequently near the unit, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The acidity in pet urine will 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 necessary, install a fence 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, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation 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 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. As long as you have the vacuum out, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The location of return air vents varies depending on how your home was designed. But your home will always have return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents draw in air and then clean and circulate it across your home using the supply air vents, so more vacuuming is added defense 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 two times each year to make sure everything is working properly, particularly for pet owners. When the HVAC specialist arrives, it’s a good idea to ask them about any extra precautions you can take to keep your system running smoothly.
“Your technician is another pair of eyes for you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is the perfect time to develop a valuable partnership that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
If the air filter gets clogged, pollutants and allergens can reach the duct system, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. 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 have their duct work cleaned every couple of years. For pet owners, it can be a smart investment,” Hughes said.
To find out 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.
