Essential HVAC Maintenance Advice 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 families have one or more pets. The majority of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who can shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to have a dog or cat, a few additional steps are necessary 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
Indoor air quality hinges on the condition of your air filter because it removes dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. If you own pets, you may have to replace filters more frequently.
“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 might want to take a look once a month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, particularly during shedding seasons.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You should also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. 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 effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. A few pet owners sometimes upgrade to a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
The AC unit, especially the part of the system that’s outdoors, 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 each year. While it doesn’t happen often, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are near it on a regular basis, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up.
“The urine’s acidity will corrode the air conditioner’s coils and possibly lead to a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If needed, place a fence or other barrier 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, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I recommend people use a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. This way you aren’t releasing the hair or 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 can reduce the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your 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 depending on how your home was designed. But your home will always have return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents pull in air and then filter and recirculate it back into every room using the supply air vents, so more vacuuming is another layer of protection against unwanted dust, pet hair and more.
6. Schedule a Maintenance Call Every Six Months
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year to make sure everything is working properly, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. Once the technician visits, you might want to ask about other preventive steps to take for your system to run more efficiently.
“The visiting technician is an additional Expert to help you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is the perfect time to develop a valuable partnership that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.”
Explore Duct Cleaning Services
Once your air filters are clogged, contaminants 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 couple of years. For pet owners, it can be a smart investment,” Hughes said.
To find out more about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, head to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.
