A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance

By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts

According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 National Pet Owner Survey, more than 82 million homes have pets. The majority of these cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry creatures who can shed or release dander into their homes. While it’s a pleasure to own a pet, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly. Start with these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:

1. Swap Out or Clean Your Air Filter Consistently

The quality of your indoor air depends on the state of your air filter because it filters dust, dander and many other airborne particles from the air. When you have pets, you may 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. “For instance, if you have a filter that’s rated to last three months, you may want to check it every month. With pets, a filter gets dirty fast, especially during heavy-use seasons.”

2. Think About Upgrading Your Air Filter

You may also look into getting a better air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to see the smallest particles your filter can capture. For residential use, you’ll see filters rated from five to 13, where higher numbers mean better filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher to effectively filter out dander, Hughes added. Many pet owners sometimes upgrade to 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, particularly the outdoor cabinet, should be cleaned as part of a comprehensive HVAC tune-up. These systems have heat exchanging coils that gather dirt and other yard debris over the course of a year.  While it doesn’t happen often, pets may urinate on the outdoor unit, and if they are near it on a regular basis, fur or hair could be pulled into the system, clogging the coils. 

“The acidity in pet urine will damage the AC coils and potentially 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 be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests. 

4. Groom Your Pet Regularly

By brushing your cat or dog regularly, you’ll reduce the amount of hair clogging your vents. “I tend to suggest pet owners use a vacuum brush to get rid of extra hair from their pets. This way you avoid spreading 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 decrease the amount of hair and dander getting into your HVAC system. As long as you have the vacuum out, don’t forget to clean out what you can in the return air vents as well. The return vent system varies depending on how your home was designed. But every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents bring in air and then clean and circulate it back into every room via the supply vents, so more vacuuming is another layer of protection against unwanted dust, pet hair and more.

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. When the HVAC specialist arrives, ask if there are any extra precautions you can take for your system to run more efficiently.

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

Consider Air Duct Cleaning 

If the air filter gets clogged, pollutants and allergens can reach the duct system, causing additional long-term air quality problems. If you are concerned that pet hair and dander aren’t under control, you might want to consider professional duct cleaning services.

“I know some pet owners who have their duct work cleaned every couple of 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, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality/ or schedule your HVAC maintenance tune-up today.