HVAC Maintenance Tips 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 homes have pets. Most of these beloved pets are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who will shed or spread dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to own a pet, you should take a few extra measures to maintain your HVAC system. 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 state of your air filter since it removes dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. With pets, you might 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. “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 heavy-use seasons.”

2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter

You may also consider a higher quality air filter. Look for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 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 higher-end whole home ventilation and air purification system.

3. Keep the AC’s Condenser in the Best Possible Shape

Your air conditioner, especially the part of the system that’s outdoors, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. AC condensers have coils or heat exchangers that can slowly accumulate dirt and debris throughout the year.  Unfortunately, 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 acidity in pet urine can actually corrode the air conditioner’s coils and may even cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And a lot of hair in the condenser will reduce system efficiency.” If necessary, install a fence around the unit, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked, Hughes suggests. 

4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming

If you brush your pet often, less hair will enter your HVAC system. “I tend to suggest pet owners 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 added.

5. Increase How Often You Vacuum and Clean Return Vents

Increasing how many times you vacuum each month is an easy way to reduce the amount of hair and dander being pulled into your system. As long as you have the vacuum out, vacuum the return air vents as well. The placement of return air vents will vary based on your home’s design. Regardless, every home has return air vents and supply air vents. Return air vents bring in air and then filter and recirculate it back into every room using the supply air vents, so some extra vacuuming is an extra way to minimize unwanted dust, hair and animal dander.

6. Schedule a Maintenance Call Every Six Months

Your HVAC system should be serviced by a professional technician two times each year for peace of mind that all components are operating properly and safely, and this is doubly so for homes with pets. When the technician comes to your home, ask if there are other preventive steps to take for your system to run more efficiently.

“Your technician is another pair of eyes for you to assess the effects of pets on your system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is an opportunity to develop a valuable partnership that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.” 

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

When your HVAC system’s air filters become 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 have their duct work 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, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance call today.