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 cats, dogs and other animals who can shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to have a dog or cat, a few additional steps are necessary to maintain your HVAC system. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:

1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly

The quality of your indoor air depends on the state of your air filter because it pulls dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. When you have pets, you might 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 supposed to last three months, you may want to check it every month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, especially when your HVAC system runs most often.”

2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter

You should also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to capture dander well, Hughes added. Some pet owners even opt for a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser

The AC unit, namely the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have coils or heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris over the course of a year.  Unfortunately, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are near it on a regular basis, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils. 

“The acid from pet urine might corrode the air conditioner’s coils 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, add a small fence around your outdoor unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests. 

4. Maintain a Regular Grooming Schedule for Your Pet

If you brush your pet often, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I tend to suggest pet owners use a vacuum brush to remove excess hair from their pets. That way you aren’t releasing the hair or dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.

5. Vacuum More Often and Clean Your 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 already vacuuming, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary depending on how your home was designed. But you’ll always find return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents bring in air and then clean and circulate it back into every room using the supply air vents, so some extra vacuuming is another layer of protection against 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, especially if you are a pet owner. When the technician visits, it’s a good idea to ask them about any extra precautions you can take to keep your system running smoothly.

“Your technician is an extra set of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is an opportunity to establish a beneficial relationship that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.” 

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

Once your air filters are clogged, dust and common allergens can leak into the ducts, causing additional long-term air quality problems. If pet hair and dander still isn’t under control, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.

“I know some pet owners who have their duct work cleaned every few years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said. 

To learn more about how to maintain indoor air quality when you own pets, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.