A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
As reported by the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million homes have pets. Most of these beloved pets are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who will shed or release dander into their homes. While it’s a pleasure to own a pet, you should take a few extra measures to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
Indoor air quality hinges on the working condition of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and allergens from the air. When you have pets, you might 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 instance, if you have a filter that’s expected to last 90 days, you might want to take a look once a month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, especially during heavy-use seasons.”
2. Consider Upgrading Your System’s Air Filter
You should also look into getting a better air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. A few pet owners even opt for a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
The AC unit, particularly the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have heat exchanging coils that collect their share of dirt and debris over the course of a year. While it doesn’t happen often, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are frequently near the unit, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The acid from pet urine might damage the AC coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If required, install a fence around the unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggests.
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 recommend people use a vacuum brush to remove excess hair from their pets. That way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes added.
5. Vacuum More Often and Clean Your Return Vents
Increasing how many times you vacuum each month can decrease the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. While you’re vacuuming, vacuum the return air vents as well. The return vent system varies depending on how your home was designed. But every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents draw in air and then filter and redistribute it throughout your home via the supply vents, so some extra vacuuming is added defense against unwanted dust, dander and hair.
6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year to make sure everything is working properly, especially if you are a pet owner. Once the technician visits, you might want to ask about other preventive steps to take for your system to run more efficiently.
“The visiting technician is an additional Expert to help you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is a chance to develop a valuable partnership that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.”
Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning
If the air filter gets clogged, contaminants and allergens can leak into the ducts, causing additional long-term air quality problems. 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 maintaining indoor air quality with pets, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.
