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 one or more pets. Most of these family members are cats, dogs and other animals who will shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to care for a family pet, you should take a few extra measures to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
The quality of your indoor air depends on the working condition of your air filter since it removes dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. When you have pets, you may 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 example, if you 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, particularly when your HVAC system runs most often.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You may also consider a higher quality air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. 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 capture dander well, Hughes added. A few pet owners even opt for a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
Your air conditioning system, especially the part of the system that’s outdoors, 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 over the course of a year. Unfortunately, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are near it on a regular basis, hair or fur can collect on the coils.
“The acidity in pet urine will corrode the air conditioner’s coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If needed, add a small fence around your outdoor unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggested.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
If you brush your pet often, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. That way you aren’t releasing the hair or dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes added.
5. Clean Return Air Vents and Stay on Top of Vacuuming
Vacuuming more often will limit the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. While you’re already vacuuming, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary depending on how your home was designed. Regardless, every home has return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents pull in air and then clean and circulate it across your home via the supply vents, so more vacuuming is added defense against 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 to make sure everything is working properly, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the technician comes to your home, it’s a good idea to ask them about other preventive steps to take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.
“Your technician is another pair of eyes for you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is a chance to develop a valuable partnership that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
Once your air filters are clogged, dust and common allergens can leak into the ducts, 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 get their ducts 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, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or request a professional HVAC tune-up today.
