A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance

By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts

As reported by the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million homes own a pet. The majority of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who tend to shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to care for a family pet, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to keep your HVAC system running properly. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:

1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently

Indoor air quality depends on the state of your air filter since it filters dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. When you have pets, you may need to replace it sooner.

“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 instance, if you have a filter that’s expected to last 90 days, you might want to take a look once a month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, especially when your HVAC system runs most often.”

2. Consider Upgrading Your System’s Air Filter

You should also consider a higher quality air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. 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 capture dander well, Hughes added. Many pet owners sometimes upgrade to a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser

Your air conditioner, particularly the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils/heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard 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, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up. 

“The urine’s acidity will damage the AC coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If required, install a fence around the unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggested. 

4. Maintain a Regular Grooming Schedule for Your Pet

When you brush your pet often enough, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I recommend people use a vacuum brush to get rid of extra hair from their pets. That way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes added.

5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents

Running the vacuum more often is an easy way to reduce 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 depending on how your home was designed. But every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents draw in air and then filter and recirculate it back into every room using the supply air vents, so more vacuuming is added defense against unwanted dust, dander and hair.

6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually

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, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. As the HVAC specialist arrives, it’s a good idea to ask them about any extra precautions you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.

“The technician is an additional Expert to help you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is a chance to build an important relationship that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.” 

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

Once your air filters are 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 few 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, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.