Essential HVAC Maintenance Advice for Pet Owners

By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts

Based on the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million households own a pet. The majority of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who will shed or produce 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. Follow these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:

1. Replace Your Air Filter Frequently

The quality of your indoor air depends on the state of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. When you have 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. “If you, for example, have a filter that’s supposed to last three months, you may want to check it every month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, particularly during heavy-use seasons.”

2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter

You should also consider a higher quality air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to know the smallest particles your filter can capture. For residential use, filter ratings range between five and 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. You should aim for a nine or above to capture dander well, Hughes added. Many 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 unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These condensers have coils or heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris each year.  In some unfortunate situations, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are near it on a regular basis, their fur may get pulled into the coils and clog them up. 

“The urine’s acidity will corrode the air conditioner’s coils and possibly lead to a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If necessary, add a small fence around your outdoor unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests. 

4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming

By brushing your cat or dog regularly, there’s less hair that can make its way into your home’s ventilation system. “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 said.

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

Running the vacuum more often can decrease the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. While you’re already vacuuming, 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 every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents pull in air and then filter and recirculate it across your home using the supply air vents, so more 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 every six months to ensure everything is running its best, especially if you are a pet owner. When the HVAC specialist arrives, you might want to ask about additional steps you can take to keep your system running smoothly.

“The technician is another pair of eyes for you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “A tune-up is the perfect time to develop a valuable partnership that promotes your HVAC system’s long-term health.” 

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

If the air filter gets clogged, dust and common allergens can make it to the ventilation system, 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 few years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said. 

To get all the details about maintaining indoor air quality with pets, go to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or request a professional HVAC tune-up today.