Essential HVAC Maintenance Advice for Pet Owners
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million families have pets. The majority of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who will shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to own a pet, a few additional steps are necessary to maintain your HVAC system. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
Your indoor air’s overall quality hinges on the state of your air filter because 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 example, if you have a filter that’s rated to last three months, you might want to take a look once a month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, especially when your HVAC system runs most often.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You should also look into getting a better air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. You should aim for a nine or above to trap dander effectively, Hughes added. Some pet owners sometimes upgrade to a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
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 collect their share of dirt and debris each year. In some unfortunate situations, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are around it often enough, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The acidity in pet urine can actually corrode the air conditioner’s coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will lower the system’s efficiency.” If required, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggests.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
If you brush your pet often, 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 aren’t releasing the hair or dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes said.
5. Clean Return Air Vents and Stay on Top of Vacuuming
Running the vacuum more often can decrease the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. As long as you’re vacuuming, vacuum the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary based on your home’s design. Regardless, every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and recirculate it back into every room 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 twice a year to make sure everything is working properly, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. When the technician visits, you might want to ask about other preventive steps to take for your system to run more efficiently.
“The technician is an additional Expert to help you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is an opportunity to build an important relationship that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
Once your air filters are clogged, contaminants and allergens can leak into the ducts, 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 schedule duct cleanings every couple of years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” 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.
