A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million households own a pet. The majority of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who will shed or release dander into their homes. While it’s a joy to own a pet, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to keep your HVAC system running properly. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
Indoor air quality depends on the condition of your air filter since it removes dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. With pets, you might need to change filters more often.
“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 supposed to last three months, you may want to check it every month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, particularly during heavy-use seasons.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You should also consider a higher quality air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to trap dander effectively, Hughes added. A few pet owners even opt for a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
The AC unit, 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. 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, hair or fur can collect on the coils.
“The acid from pet urine can actually corrode the air conditioner’s coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If necessary, add a small fence around your outdoor unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggested.
4. Groom Your Pet Regularly
If you brush your pet often, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I recommend people use 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 added.
5. Vacuum More Often and Clean Your Return Vents
Increasing how many times you vacuum each month is an easy way to decrease the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. As long as you have the vacuum out, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The location of return air vents varies based on your home’s design. Regardless, 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 using the supply air vents, so some extra vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, hair and animal dander.
6. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Twice a Year
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician twice a year for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, especially if you are a pet owner. Once the technician comes to your home, it’s a good idea to ask them about any extra precautions you can take for your system to run more efficiently.
“Your technician is an extra set of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is an opportunity to build an important relationship that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.”
Consider Air Duct Cleaning
When your HVAC system’s air filters become clogged, pollutants and allergens can reach the duct system, causing more long-term air quality issues. If you are concerned that pet hair and dander aren’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. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said.
To learn more about how to maintain indoor air quality when you own pets, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.