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 households own a pet. Most of these beloved pets are cats, dogs and other animals who can shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to own a pet, you should take a few extra measures 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

Your indoor air’s overall quality depends on the state of your air filter since it filters dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. If you own pets, you might have to replace filters more frequently.

“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 instance, if you have a filter that’s rated to last three months, you might want to take a look once a month. Pets can clog up the air filter much faster, particularly during shedding seasons.”

2. Consider an Air Filter Upgrade

You should also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Check the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest particle size your air filter will trap. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. Consider at least a nine or higher to trap dander effectively, Hughes added. Many pet owners also choose a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Don’t Let the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Break Down

Your air conditioning system, especially the outdoor unit, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have coils/heat exchangers that gather dirt and other yard debris over the course of a year.  While it doesn’t happen often, pets may use the outdoor unit as a place to urinate, and if they are around it often enough, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils. 

“The acid from pet urine will corrode the air conditioner’s 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, install a fence around the 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, less hair will enter your HVAC system. “I tend to suggest pet owners use a vacuum brush to pull off as much fur as they can from their pets. This 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

Vacuuming more often can reduce the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your system. As long as you’re already 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. Regardless, every home has return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and recirculate it across your home using the supply air vents, so more vacuuming is another layer of protection 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 two times each year to ensure everything is running its best, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. Once the HVAC specialist arrives, you might want to ask about additional steps you can take for your system to run more efficiently.

“The technician is an extra set of eyes for you to see how your pets are impacting the system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is an opportunity to establish a beneficial relationship that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.” 

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

If the air filter gets clogged, pollutants and allergens can leak into the ducts, causing additional long-term air quality problems. If pet hair and dander still isn’t under control, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.

“I know some pet owners who get their ducts cleaned every couple of years. Duct cleaning can be a longer-lasting solution for pet owners,” Hughes said. 

To get all the details about how to maintain indoor air quality when you own pets, head to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.