A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million families have pets. The largest number of these beloved pets are dogs, cats and other furry friends who will shed or release dander into their homes. While it’s a pleasure to own a pet, a few additional steps are necessary 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
The quality of your indoor air hinges on the province of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and allergens from the air. When you have pets, you may 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 rated to last three months, you might want to consider replacing it each month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, especially during shedding seasons.”
2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You should also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest particles your filter can capture. For residential use, the ideal MERV rating ranges from five to 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Some pet owners sometimes upgrade to a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Keep the AC’s Condenser in the Best Possible Shape
Your air conditioning system, particularly the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have coils/heat exchangers that collect their share of 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 frequently near the unit, hair or fur can collect on the coils.
“The urine’s acidity might cause the coils to corrode and possibly lead to 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 make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggests.
4. Groom Your Pet Regularly
When you brush your pet often enough, less hair will enter your HVAC system. “I tend to suggest pet owners use a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. This way you aren’t dispersing 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 is an easy way to limit the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. While you’re already vacuuming, vacuum the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary according to your home’s layout. Regardless, your home will always have return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents pull in air and then clean and circulate it back into every room via the supply vents, so some extra vacuuming is added defense against 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 two times each year for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the technician comes to your home, you might want to ask about other preventive steps to take to keep your system running smoothly.
“The visiting technician is another pair 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 ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
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 get their ducts cleaned every few years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said.
To find out more about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.
