HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
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 own a pet. The largest number of these family members are cats, dogs and other animals who can shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to have a dog or cat, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to keep your HVAC system running properly. Start with these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
Indoor air quality hinges on the state of your air filter because it pulls dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. If you own pets, you may need to replace it sooner.
“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 supposed 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 think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Look for 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, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Some pet owners sometimes upgrade to a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Keep the AC’s Condenser in the Best Possible Shape
Your air conditioning system, especially the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils or heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard 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 around it often enough, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The acid from pet urine might damage the AC coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And if there’s a lot of hair in the condenser, it will lower the system’s efficiency.” If necessary, install a fence around the unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggested.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
If you brush your pet often, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I tend to suggest pet owners use a vacuum brush to get rid of extra hair from their pets. That way you aren’t dispersing the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes said.
5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents
Vacuuming more often will limit the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC 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. Regardless, every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents pull 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. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician every six months for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, especially if you are a pet owner. As the technician visits, it’s a good idea to ask them about other preventive steps to take for your system to run more efficiently.
“Your technician is an additional Expert to help you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is a chance to develop a valuable partnership that ensures a longer-lasting 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 pet hair and dander still isn’t under control, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.
“I know some pet owners who have their duct work cleaned every few 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 tune-up today.
