Essential HVAC Maintenance Advice 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 homes have pets. The majority of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who will shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to care for a family pet, a few additional steps are necessary to keep your HVAC system running properly. 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 working condition of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. If you own pets, you might need to replace it sooner.

“It starts with checking the filter more regularly,” 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, especially during heavy-use seasons.”

2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter

You may also consider a higher quality air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. You should aim for a nine or above to trap dander effectively, Hughes added. A few pet owners sometimes upgrade to a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser

The AC unit, particularly the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils or heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris each year.  In some unfortunate situations, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are around it often enough, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up. 

“The acidity in pet urine can actually damage the AC coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If needed, install a fence around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests. 

4. Maintain a Regular Grooming Schedule for Your Pet

When you brush your pet often enough, less hair will enter your HVAC system. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to get rid of extra hair from their pets. This way you aren’t releasing the hair or dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes said.

5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents

Increasing how many times you vacuum each month is an easy way to limit the amount of hair and dander making its way 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 return vent system varies based on your home’s design. But your home will always have return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and redistribute it across your home via the supply vents, so some extra vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, dander and hair.

6. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Twice a Year

Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year 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 keep your system running smoothly.

“The technician is an extra set of eyes for you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is an opportunity to develop a valuable partnership that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.” 

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

When your HVAC system’s air filters become clogged, contaminants and allergens can leak into the ducts, 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 couple of years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said. 

To find out 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.