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 homes have one or more pets. Most of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who can shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to own a pet, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
The quality of your indoor air hinges on the working condition of your air filter since it filters dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. When you have pets, you may need to replace it sooner.
“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 may want to take a look once a month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, particularly when your HVAC system runs most often.”
2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter
You should also look into getting a better air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, the ideal MERV rating ranges from five to 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners also choose a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Keep the AC’s Condenser in the Best Possible Shape
Your air conditioner, namely the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils or heat exchangers that collect their share of dirt and debris over the course of a year. Unfortunately, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are around it often enough, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The acid from pet urine will damage the AC coils and possibly lead to a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If needed, add a small fence around your outdoor unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggests.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
By brushing your cat or dog regularly, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to get rid of extra hair from their pets. This way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.
5. Vacuum More Often and Clean Your Return Vents
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 return vent system varies based on your home’s design. But you’ll always find return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents draw in air and then filter and redistribute it back into every room using the supply air vents, so some extra vacuuming is another layer of protection against unwanted dust, dander and hair.
6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician twice a year to ensure everything is running its best, particularly for pet owners. Once the technician visits, ask if there are additional steps you can take for your system to run more efficiently.
“The visiting technician is an extra set of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is a chance to establish a beneficial relationship that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
If the air filter gets clogged, dust and common allergens can reach the duct system, 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 get their ducts cleaned every couple of years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said.
To find out more about maintaining indoor air quality with pets, head to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
