HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
Based on the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million families have pets. Most of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who tend to shed or spread 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. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Swap Out or Clean Your Air Filter Consistently
The quality of your indoor air depends on the state of your air filter since it removes dust, dander and allergens from the air. With pets, you might 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. “If you, for example, have a filter that’s supposed to last three months, you may want to consider replacing it each month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, especially during shedding seasons.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You may also look into getting a better air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest particles your filter can capture. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. It’s advisable to use 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. Keep the AC’s Condenser in the Best Possible Shape
Your air conditioning system, especially the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils/heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard debris each year. In some unfortunate situations, 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 urine’s acidity might cause the coils to corrode and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And if there’s a lot of hair in the condenser, it will start to affect system efficiency.” If needed, install a fence around the unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggests.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
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 get rid of extra hair from their pets. This way you aren’t releasing the hair or dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.
5. Vacuum More Often and Clean Your Return Vents
Increasing how many times you vacuum each month will reduce the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your system. As long as you’re already vacuuming, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The location of return air vents varies according to your home’s layout. But you’ll always find return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents draw in air and then clean and circulate it back into every room using the supply air vents, so some extra vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, hair and animal dander.
6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician every six months for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, especially if you are a pet owner. When the HVAC specialist arrives, ask if there are additional steps you can take for your system to run more efficiently.
“The visiting technician is another pair of eyes for you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is the perfect time to establish a beneficial relationship that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
Once your air filters are clogged, dust and common allergens can leak into the ducts, causing additional long-term air quality problems. If you’re worried about pet hair and dander, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.
“I know some pet owners who have their duct work cleaned every couple of years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said.
To learn more about maintaining indoor air quality with pets, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.
