HVAC Maintenance for Pet Owners Checklist: Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Home Fresh

Living with pets is a joy for many, but it also presents home maintenance challenges, especially for your home’s HVAC system. Pet hair and dander can adversely affect indoor air quality, requiring specialized maintenance and extra cleaning attention. In this guide, we’ll explore the impact of pets on indoor air quality and provide a comprehensive checklist of HVAC maintenance for pet owners.

The Impact of Pets on Indoor Air Quality

Pet hair and dander can significantly impact indoor air quality, leading to respiratory issues and allergies. These allergens can circulate throughout your home, causing discomfort for the humans and animals that live there or visit. Here’s how pets impact air quality: 

• Pet Dander: Pet dander is made of tiny skin particles that are constantly shed by pets. Because they are so small, they often go unnoticed and blend into the air. Some may only experience occasional sneezing or a tickling in the nasal passages, but pet dander can cause coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness for others with respiratory conditions or sensitivities. Pet dander also enhances the growth of bacteria and mold, which release toxins into the air and exacerbate respiratory issues even more. 

• Pet Hair: Anyone with a furry pet will know – pet hair gets everywhere. Shedding is natural, but the fine pet hair that can end up circulating around your home can be inhaled by you or your pet and cause breathing problems. The hair also captures other allergens and pollutants, like dust and pollen, that can create a mini ecosystem that negatively impacts indoor air quality over time. If your pet goes outside, the hair can bring in moisture that promotes mold and bacteria growth. While your HVAC filter does work to keep some of this out of the air, if you’re not changing it often enough, the pet hair can block airflow and cause premature system deterioration.

• Pet Urine: Although we hope our pets do their business outside or in their designated area, it doesn’t always happen that way. Pet urine contains ammonia, creating an unpleasant smell that can linger throughout your home. Urine also emits Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can lead to respiratory issues over time. It’s also loaded with bacteria and microorganisms that enjoy damp conditions that, once established, can release harmful toxins into the air. If they use the carpet, rug, furniture, or other porous surface as a restroom, it creates an ideal growth environment for mold and mildew, which discharge spores into the air that cause respiratory problems. Even if the urine has dried, it still causes problems because it can break down into airborne particles that circulate throughout your home, triggering allergies and asthma.

• Pet Feces: In addition to urine, pet feces can cause strong odors, bacteria growth, and airborne particles that lower indoor air quality. In addition, when not cleaned promptly, pet feces attract flies, which can carry bacteria from the feces throughout your home when they land on various surfaces. 

• Chemicals from Pet Products: Shampoos, flea treatments, grooming sprays, and more often contain chemicals that can harm indoor air quality. Some of these products contain VOCs that evaporate quickly at room temperature and contribute to indoor air pollution. Others may undergo an off-gassing process that occurs when the product releases gas over time as the constituent chemicals break down and become airborne, causing respiratory irritation and even allergic reactions. Prolonged exposure to chemicals in certain pet products can lead to sensitization or the development of an allergy to a specific chemical. Powders or sprays also release fine particles into the air that can irritate the respiratory system when inhaled.

To tackle this issue effectively, routinely cleaning your home, using safe products, and maintaining a well-functioning HVAC system is crucial. 

The Importance of HVAC Systems in Pet-Friendly Homes

Understanding the basics of HVAC systems is essential for pet owners. The HVAC system ensures a comfortable living environment for you and your pets, both in improving indoor air quality, reducing pet allergies, and keeping everyone safe. 

• Temperature: Extreme temperature fluctuations can distress or endanger pets, so it’s essential to consider your pet’s needs when setting the thermostat. For instance, dog breeds with thick fur may prefer cooler temperatures. Investing in a smart thermostat can ensure your home is safe for your pet while you’re away and comfortable for everyone when you’re back.

• Humidity: The humidity inside your home also benefits both pets and humans. A lack of moisture can cause itchy skin and affect breathing. However, if it’s too humid, it can promote the development of mold and dust mites. The humidity levels inside your home should be between 40 to 60 percent for total comfort for everyone.

• Air Filters: Everyone needs an air filter in their HVAC, but pet owners in particular need them the most. Opting for high-quality filters with a suitable MERV rating for capturing pet dander is crucial. The ideal MERV rating is between 8 and 13, which offers the best balance between airflow and filtration, but be sure filters with this rating are compatible with your HVAC system. 

• HEPA Filters: For even better air quality, consider using a HEPA filter in your HVAC system or installing an air purification system in your home with HEPA or activated carbon filters. Air purifiers complement your HVAC system to remove smells and trap fine airborne particles like pet dander to minimize contaminants you breathe in.

The HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Pet Owners

Maintaining your HVAC system is crucial to ensure optimal performance and air quality in a pet-friendly home. Below are some things you can do to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. You can also print our handy HVAC maintenance checklist to ensure you complete all the necessary tasks routinely.

Regular Air Filter Replacement

The first line of defense against pet hair and dander circulating throughout your home is using high-quality air filters. Your air filter should be changed regularly to prevent clogs and maintain optimal airflow. 

How frequently you replace your air filter will depend on various factors, including the type of filter used, the number of pets in your home, and the overall air quality. However, as a general guideline for pet owners, checking and potentially replacing your air filter every one to three months is advised.

Make a habit of visually inspecting your air filter monthly so you can replace it right away when necessary. When replacing, refer to your HVAC system’s manual for manufacturer recommendations regarding the type of filter that can be used. It’s also a great idea to consider signing up for a professional HVAC maintenance schedule, including air filter replacement, to ensure your system works efficiently all year.

Specialized Filters for Pet Hair and Dander

For those who want the cleanest air possible or who have respiratory issues, consider using specialized filters designed for homes with pets. These filters are highly effective in capturing and reducing pet hair and dander and other pet-specific concerns, like odors, dirt, and chemicals, to improve indoor air quality. 

Follow a Professional HVAC Cleaning and Maintenance Schedule

Regular professional maintenance is ideal for any homeowner, but absolutely essential for pet owners. Furnace, air conditioning, or hybrid system maintenance is the best way to keep your system in optimal condition and guarantee year-round comfort. This will also help extend the life of your HVAC equipment and help prevent mid-season breakdowns and costly repairs.

On average, professional maintenance should be performed yearly, but it’s a great idea to have it done twice a year – once before the weather gets too cold and again before it gets too hot. An experienced professional may recommend more frequent visits depending on your HVAC system usage and other factors.

Use Humidifiers to Improve Air Quality

Humidifiers play a crucial role in reducing indoor allergens. Maintaining optimal humidity levels helps prevent the spread of pet-related particles and prevents mold and bacteria growth. Adding moisture to overly dry air prevents issues like dry skin, irritated nasal passages, and scratchy throats. Dry air also makes dander lighter and more likely to remain airborne, further contributing to respiratory issues and making humidity necessary for comfort in a pet-friendly home.

Frequently Vacuum Carpets and Upholstery

Regularly vacuuming carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces that attract pet hair and dander is essential to preventing an excess amount from entering your HVAC system. Be sure to use or invest in a vacuum with HEPA filters for a thorough cleaning that minimizes allergens in your home. The frequency with which you vacuum will depend on how many pets you have, their hair type, and more. If you vacuum an area and find you’re quickly filling the bag or bin, it may be time to consider vacuuming more often.

Don’t Skip the Groomer

For pets that will allow it, visiting a groomer regularly is a great option to consider. Not only will a groomer keep them clean, but also has the tools to reduce the amount of hair and dander entering your home regularly. Taking this proactive approach will significantly contribute to maintaining a fresh indoor environment.

Love Your Pets and Let Jack Lehr Handle Your HVAC Needs

Loving your pets doesn’t mean compromising on indoor air quality. A well-maintained HVAC system is the key to a fresh, comfortable home for you and your pets. For all your HVAC needs, trust the professionals at Jack Lehr. 

Contact us or schedule your service online today to ensure your HVAC system is in top-notch condition. You’ll love breathing easier in your home – and your pets will, too!