HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million homes own a pet. The majority of these family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who will shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to have a dog or cat, 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. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
Your indoor air’s overall quality depends on the province of your air filter since it pulls dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. If you own 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 might want to take a look once a month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, particularly during heavy-use seasons.”
2. Look into Upgrading Your Air Filter
You may also think about getting a higher-rated air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, and the higher the number, the better the filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners even opt for a higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.
3. Protect Your Air Conditioning’s Condenser
Your air conditioning system, especially the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have heat exchanging coils that gather dirt and other yard debris over the course of a 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 acidity in pet urine might corrode the air conditioner’s coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will lower the system’s efficiency.” If needed, place a fence or other barrier around the unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggests.
4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming
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 get rid of extra hair from their pets. This way you aren’t dispersing the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes mentioned.
5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents
Vacuuming more often is an easy way to reduce the amount of hair and dander making its way into your system. While you have the vacuum out, it’s also a good idea to vacuum the return air vents. The return vent system varies depending on how your home was designed. But every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents pull in air and then filter and redistribute it throughout 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 every six months for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, especially if you are a pet owner. When the technician visits, ask if there are other preventive steps to take for your system to run more efficiently.
“The visiting technician is another pair of eyes for you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “Every maintenance visit is an opportunity to establish a beneficial relationship that supports the long-term health of your HVAC system.”
Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Once your air filters are clogged, pollutants and allergens can make it to the ventilation 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 get their ducts cleaned every few years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said.
To get all the details about keeping indoor air quality high as a pet owner, head to ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.