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 households have pets. The largest number of these beloved pets are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who can shed or release dander into their homes. While it’s a joy to own a pet, you should take a few extra measures to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Start with these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
The quality of your indoor air depends on the condition of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. With pets, you may 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. “For instance, if you have a filter that’s expected to last 90 days, you may want to check it every month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, especially during heavy-use seasons.”
2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter
You may also look into getting a better air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, the ideal MERV rating ranges from five to 13, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to capture dander well, 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, namely the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have heat exchanging coils that gather dirt and other yard debris each year. Unfortunately, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are near it on a regular basis, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The urine’s acidity might cause the coils to corrode and possibly lead to a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If necessary, install a fence around the unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggested.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
By brushing your cat or dog regularly, less hair will enter your HVAC system. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. That way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes added.
5. Clean Return Air Vents and Stay on Top of Vacuuming
Increasing how many times you vacuum each month can limit the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your system. As long as you’re vacuuming, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The location of return air vents varies according to your home’s layout. Regardless, your home will always have return and supply vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and recirculate it across your home using the supply air vents, so some extra vacuuming is added defense against unwanted dust, hair and animal dander.
6. Schedule a Maintenance Call Every Six Months
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician every six months to ensure everything is running its best, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the HVAC specialist arrives, ask if there are any extra precautions you can take to keep your system running smoothly.
“Your technician is another pair of eyes for you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is a chance to establish a beneficial relationship that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
If the air filter gets clogged, dust and common allergens can make it to the ventilation system, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. 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 schedule duct cleanings every couple of years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said.
To get all the details about how to maintain indoor air quality when you own pets, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.
