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 families own a pet. Most of these cuddly family members are cats, dogs and other animals who can 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 ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Follow these seven tips 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 since it filters dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. When you have pets, you may 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 rated to last three months, you might want to consider replacing it each month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, especially during heavy-use seasons.”

2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter

You may also look into getting a better air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest particles your filter can capture. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to capture dander well, Hughes added. Some pet owners sometimes upgrade to a high-efficiency whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser

Your air conditioning system, namely the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils or heat exchangers that collect their share of dirt and debris over the course of a year.  In some unfortunate situations, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are frequently near the unit, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils. 

“The acidity in pet urine might corrode the air conditioner’s coils and possibly lead to a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If needed, add a small fence around your outdoor unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggested. 

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 recommend people use a vacuum brush to remove excess hair from their pets. That way you aren’t dispersing the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes added.

5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents

Increasing how many times you vacuum each month will decrease the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. While you have the vacuum out, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary according to your home’s layout. But you’ll always find return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents draw in air and then filter and redistribute it across your home via the supply vents, so some extra vacuuming is added defense against unwanted dust, dander and hair.

6. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Twice a Year

Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician twice a year to ensure everything is running its best, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. When the technician visits, you might want to ask about any extra precautions you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.

“The technician is an extra set of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is the perfect time to develop a valuable partnership that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.” 

Explore Duct Cleaning Services 

When your HVAC system’s air filters become clogged, dust and common allergens can leak into the ducts, causing more long-term air quality issues. If you are concerned that pet hair and dander aren’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. For pet owners, it can be a smart investment,” Hughes said. 

To find out more about how to maintain indoor air quality when you own pets, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or request a professional HVAC tune-up today.