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 households have pets. Most of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who tend to shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to own a pet, a few additional steps are necessary to maintain your HVAC system. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
The quality of your indoor air hinges on the condition of your air filter because it removes dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. With pets, you might have to replace filters more frequently.
“It starts with checking the filter more regularly,” 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 supposed to last three months, you might want to consider replacing it each month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, particularly during shedding seasons.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You may also look into getting a better air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. You should aim for a nine or above to trap dander effectively, Hughes added. A few pet owners also choose a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
Your air conditioner, especially the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils or heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard debris throughout the year. Unfortunately, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are near it on a regular basis, hair or fur can collect on the coils.
“The acidity in pet urine will cause the coils to corrode and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will lower the system’s efficiency.” If required, install a fence around the unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggested.
4. Groom Your Pet Regularly
When you brush your pet often enough, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I suggest using 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 added.
5. Clean Return Air Vents and Stay on Top of Vacuuming
Running the vacuum more often is an easy way to limit the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. As long as 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. But every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents draw in air and then filter and recirculate it throughout your home via the supply vents, so some extra vacuuming is added defense against unwanted dust, dander and hair.
6. Schedule a Maintenance Call Every Six Months
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, particularly for pet owners. Once the HVAC specialist arrives, you might want to ask about any extra precautions you can take to keep your system running smoothly.
“Your technician is an additional Expert to help you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is an opportunity to establish a beneficial relationship that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.”
Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Once your air filters are clogged, contaminants and allergens can make it to the ventilation system, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. 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. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said.
To learn more about maintaining indoor air quality with pets, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
