A Pet Owner’s Guide to HVAC Maintenance

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 cuddly family members are dogs, cats and other furry friends who will shed or produce dander in their homes. While it’s a joy to own a pet, a few additional steps are necessary to keep your HVAC system running properly. Start with these seven tips for pet-friendly HVAC maintenance:

1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly

The quality of your indoor air depends on the condition of your air filter because it pulls dust, dander and other pollutants from the air. With pets, you may need to replace it sooner.

“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 example, if you have a filter that’s supposed to last three months, you may want to take a look once a month. Filters get clogged more quickly with pets, especially when your HVAC system runs most often.”

2. Consider Upgrading Your System’s Air Filter

You may also look into getting a better air filter. Find the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) to learn the smallest size of particles the filter can catch. For residential use, the ideal MERV rating ranges from five to 13, with higher numbers providing better filtration. It’s advisable to use a nine or higher 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

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 can slowly accumulate dirt and debris over the course of a year.  Unfortunately, some pets even urinate on outdoor units, and if they are around it often enough, hair or fur can collect on the coils. 

“The urine’s acidity will corrode the air conditioner’s coils and potentially cause a refrigerant leak,” he said. “And too much hair in the condenser will start to affect system efficiency.” If needed, install a fence around the unit, but be sure not to block or restrict airflow, Hughes suggests. 

4. Keep up with Your Pet’s Grooming

If you brush your pet often, less hair will enter your HVAC system. “I suggest using a vacuum brush to remove excess hair from their pets. That way you avoid spreading the hair and dander you’re brushing off into the home,” Hughes added.

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

Running the vacuum more often will reduce 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 location of return air vents varies based on your home’s design. Regardless, every home has return and supply vents. Return air vents draw in air and then filter and recirculate it back into every room using the supply air vents, so more vacuuming is added defense 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 twice a year to make sure everything is working properly, particularly for pet owners. When the technician visits, you might want to ask about other preventive steps to take to keep your system running smoothly.

“The technician is another pair of eyes for you to monitor how pets affect your system,” Hughes said. “A routine maintenance call is an opportunity to develop a valuable partnership that ensures a longer-lasting HVAC system.” 

Look into Professional Air Duct Cleaning 

If the air filter gets clogged, contaminants and allergens can leak into the ducts, causing more trouble with your home’s air quality. 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 get their ducts cleaned every couple of years. It can be well worth the investment whenever pets are involved,” Hughes said. 

To learn more 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.