A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million families have one or more pets. The majority of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who tend to shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to care for a family pet, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to keep your HVAC system running properly. Here are seven tips to follow for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:
1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently
Your indoor air’s overall quality hinges on the working condition of your air filter since it filters dust, dander and allergens from the air. When you have pets, you might need to change filters more often.
“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 expected to last 90 days, you may want to consider replacing it each month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, especially during shedding seasons.”
2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade
You may also consider a higher quality air filter. Find 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. You should aim for a nine or above to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. A few pet owners even opt for a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down
Your air conditioner, particularly the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have heat exchanging coils that collect their share of dirt and debris over the course of a year. While it doesn’t happen often, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are near it on a regular basis, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils.
“The urine’s acidity can actually damage the AC coils and potentially cause 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, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests.
4. Groom Your Pet Regularly
By brushing your cat or dog regularly, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. This way you aren’t dispersing the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes said.
5. Vacuum More Often and Clean Your Return Vents
Vacuuming more often can decrease the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. While you have the vacuum out, vacuum the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary according to your home’s layout. Regardless, every home has 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 more vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, dander and hair.
6. Get an HVAC Checkup Biannually
Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year to ensure everything is running its best, particularly for pet owners. Once the technician visits, it’s a good idea to ask them about additional steps you can take to maintain your system’s overall efficiency.
“Your technician is another pair of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is an opportunity to develop a valuable partnership that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.”
Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Once your air filters are clogged, dust and common allergens can make it to the ventilation system, 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 few years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said.
To get all the details about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.