HVAC Maintenance Tips 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 households have one or more pets. Most of these family members are cats, dogs and other animals who will shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a pleasure to care for a family pet, a few additional steps are necessary to maintain your HVAC system. Start with these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:

1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly

Indoor air quality depends on the state of your air filter since it removes dust, dander and allergens from the air. If you own pets, you might have to replace filters more frequently.

“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. “If you, for example, have a filter that’s expected to last 90 days, you may want to consider replacing it each month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, particularly when your HVAC system runs most often.”

2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter

You should 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, the ideal MERV rating ranges from five to 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. You should aim for a nine or above to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Some pet owners even opt for a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser

Your air conditioning system, especially the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils or heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard debris over the course of a year.  In some unfortunate situations, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are frequently near the unit, hair or fur can collect on the coils. 

“The acid from pet urine can actually cause the coils to corrode and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And if there’s a lot of hair in the condenser, it will reduce system efficiency.” If needed, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but ensure airflow remains unobstructed, Hughes suggests. 

4. Groom Your Pet Regularly

By brushing your cat or dog regularly, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I recommend people use a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. That way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.

5. Clean Return Air Vents and Stay on Top of Vacuuming

Increasing how many times you vacuum each month can decrease the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your system. While you’re vacuuming, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The location of return air vents varies depending on how your home was designed. But you’ll always find return and supply vents. Return air vents draw 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 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 HVAC specialist arrives, ask if there are additional steps you can take to keep your system running smoothly.

“The technician is an additional Expert to help you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is the perfect time to build an important relationship that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.” 

Explore Duct Cleaning Services 

If the air filter gets clogged, contaminants and allergens can reach the duct system, causing additional long-term air quality problems. 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 few years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said. 

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