HVAC Maintenance Tips 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 pets. The majority of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who can shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to have a dog or cat, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Here are seven tips to follow 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 removes dust, dander and allergens from the air. If you own pets, you may need to replace it sooner.

“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 expected to last 90 days, you might want to take a look once a month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, especially during heavy-use seasons.”

2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade

You may also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know 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. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners even opt for a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser

Your air conditioner, namely the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have coils/heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris over the course of a year.  In some unfortunate situations, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are near it on a regular basis, hair or fur can collect on the coils. 

“The urine’s acidity might damage the AC coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If needed, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests. 

4. Groom Your Pet Regularly

When you brush your pet often enough, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I tend to suggest pet owners use a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. That way you aren’t dispersing the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.

5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents

Increasing how many times you vacuum each month is an easy way to decrease 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 return vent system varies according to your home’s layout. Regardless, every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents pull in air and then filter and redistribute it across your home using the supply air vents, so some extra vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, pet hair and more.

6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually

Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician twice a year to make sure everything is working properly, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the technician comes to your home, ask if there are other preventive steps to take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.

“The technician is an additional Expert to help you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is an opportunity to build an important relationship that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.” 

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

If the air filter gets clogged, pollutants and 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 get their ducts cleaned every couple of years. For pet owners, it can be a smart investment,” Hughes said. 

To get all the details about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.