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 families have one or more pets. The majority of these family members are cats, dogs and other animals who can shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to have a dog or cat, you should take a few extra measures 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 depends on the condition of your air filter because it pulls dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. With pets, you might need to replace it sooner.
“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. “If you, for example, have a filter that’s rated to last three months, you may want to take a look once a month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, especially during heavy-use seasons.”
2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You may also consider a higher quality air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to capture dander well, Hughes added. A few pet owners sometimes upgrade to a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
Your air conditioning system, especially the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils/heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris throughout the year. While it doesn’t happen often, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are near it on a regular basis, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils.
“The acidity in pet urine can actually cause the coils to corrode and possibly lead to a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And if there’s a lot of hair in the condenser, it will start to affect system efficiency.” If necessary, install a fence around the unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggests.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
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 remove excess hair from their pets. This way you aren’t releasing the hair or dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes said.
5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents
Increasing how many times you vacuum each month will limit the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. As long as you’re already vacuuming, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The return vent system varies according to your home’s layout. But your home will always have return and supply vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and redistribute it back into every room 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 twice a year to ensure everything is running its best, especially if you are a pet owner. As the HVAC specialist arrives, you might want to ask about any extra precautions you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.
“The technician is an additional Expert to help you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is an opportunity to develop a valuable partnership that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
When your HVAC system’s air filters become clogged, contaminants and allergens can make it to the ventilation system, causing additional long-term air quality problems. 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 get their ducts cleaned every few years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said.
To learn more about maintaining indoor air quality with pets, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or request a professional HVAC tune-up today.
