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. The largest number of these beloved pets are cats, dogs and other animals who will shed or release dander into their homes. While it’s a pleasure to have a dog or cat, you should take a few extra measures to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
Your indoor air’s overall quality depends on the working condition of your air filter because it pulls dust, dander and allergens from the air. If you own pets, you might have to replace filters more frequently.
“It starts with knowing when to clean or replace the filter,” 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 expected to last 90 days, 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. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You should also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners sometimes upgrade to a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Keep the AC’s Condenser in the Best Possible Shape
Your air conditioning system, namely the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils or heat exchangers that collect their share of dirt and debris each year. In some unfortunate situations, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are frequently near the unit, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils.
“The acidity in pet urine can actually corrode the air conditioner’s coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much 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 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 get rid of extra hair from their pets. That 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 can limit the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. As long as you’re already vacuuming, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The placement of return air vents will vary according to your home’s layout. Regardless, you’ll always find return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and redistribute it back into every room via the supply vents, so some extra vacuuming is an extra way to minimize 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 make sure everything is working properly, particularly for pet owners. Once the technician visits, ask if there are additional steps you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.
“Your technician is another pair of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is an opportunity 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 make it to the ventilation system, causing more long-term air quality issues. If you’re worried about pet hair and dander, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.
“I know some pet owners who schedule duct cleanings every few years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said.
To learn more about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
