HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts
As reported by the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million households have one or more pets. The majority of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who tend to shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to care for a family pet, you should take a few extra measures to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Swap Out or Clean Your Air Filter Consistently
Your indoor air’s overall quality depends on the condition of your air filter because it filters dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. If you own pets, you may need to change filters more often.
“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 expected to last 90 days, you may want to check it every month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, particularly during shedding seasons.”
2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You should also consider a higher quality air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. 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. Some pet owners also choose a more advanced whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
Your air conditioner, namely the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have heat exchanging coils that gather dirt and other yard debris each 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 possibly lead to a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And if there’s a lot of hair in the condenser, it will lower the system’s efficiency.” If necessary, install a fence around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggested.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
When you brush your pet often enough, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to remove excess hair from their pets. This 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 limit the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. As long as you’re already vacuuming, vacuum the return air vents as well. The return vent system varies based on your home’s design. Regardless, your home will always have return and supply vents. Return air vents pull in air and then clean and circulate 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 an HVAC Tune-Up Twice a Year
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician every six months for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, particularly for pet owners. Once the technician visits, ask if there are additional steps you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.
“The visiting technician is an additional Expert to help you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is an opportunity to develop a valuable partnership that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.”
Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning
When your HVAC system’s air filters become clogged, pollutants and allergens can leak into the ducts, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. If you’re worried about pet hair and dander, 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 keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.
