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 one or more pets. The largest number of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who will shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to own a pet, you’ll want to take a few extra steps 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 hinges on the state of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. When you have pets, you may need to change filters more often.

“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 example, if you have a filter that’s expected to last 90 days, you may want to consider replacing it each month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, particularly during shedding seasons.”

2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade

You may also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. A few pet owners even opt for 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, namely the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils/heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris over the course of a year.  In some unfortunate situations, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are around it often enough, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils. 

“The urine’s acidity can actually cause the coils to corrode and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If necessary, place a fence or other barrier 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, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “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

Vacuuming more often will limit the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. As long as you have the vacuum out, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The return vent system varies based on your home’s design. Regardless, every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents bring in air and then clean and circulate it throughout your home using the supply air vents, so more vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, pet hair and more.

6. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Twice a Year

Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician twice a year to ensure everything is running its best, especially if you are a pet owner. Once the technician visits, ask if there are any extra precautions you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.

“Your technician is an additional Expert to help you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is the perfect time to build an important relationship that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.” 

Explore Duct Cleaning Services 

When your HVAC system’s air filters become clogged, contaminants and allergens can leak into the ducts, causing additional long-term air quality problems. 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 schedule duct cleanings every couple of 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, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.