Cats and dogs are common household members. However, while they are cuddly and fun to play with, they also shed hair and release dander, which gets into the air and can reduce your HVAC’s efficiency. This can result in uneven heating, poor air quality, and high energy bills. 

Conducting regular heater and AC maintenance will prevent increased contaminants from reducing air quality and home comfort. Fortunately, many of these practices are easy! Read ProFlo’s guide to HVAC maintenance for pet owners to learn our top tips for keeping your air conditioner and heater working optimally, regardless of pets!

Replace Your Air Filter Frequently

Your air filter is the first and primary line of defense against pet dander or allergens deteriorating your air quality. As air circulates through your HVAC system, the filter picks up dust, hair, dander, allergens, and other contaminants that cause irritation and impact health. Since pets increase the amount of airborne pollutants, you may need to replace this sooner than households without pets.

Regularly check your air filter to ensure it isn’t too filled up. A saturated air filter forces your HVAC unit to work harder to heat or cool your home, raising energy bills and reducing comfort. If your filter becomes clogged, it can cause contaminants to be blown back into your home. We recommend checking your air filter monthly to keep up with your pets’ shedding.

Look Into Upgrading Your Air Filter

The better your air filter is, the more effective it will be at handling the increased workload caused by pets. We recommend getting a high-rated air filter, such as one with a MERV rating between 9 and 13. MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings refer to the particle sizes it picks up. Higher ratings equate to more efficient filtration. Upgrading to a high-efficiency home ventilation and purification system guarantees optimal air quality!

A professional HVAC maintenance technician can recommend effective, energy-efficient models to ensure your family experiences peak comfort. If you want to upgrade your system, ProFlo can easily handle HVAC installations to make your home pet-ready.

Vacuum Regularly and Clean Your Return Vents

Vacuuming more frequently will minimize the amount of pet hair and dander that gets into your HVAC system, reducing the workload on your filter. Whenever you vacuum, we recommend also vacuuming your return vents. These vents pull air from a given room and return it to the AC or heater, removing excess moisture and airborne debris.

Return vents can be found on the ceiling, floor, or walls. Keeping them clean protects against excessive pet hair and debris in your air filter. The more detailed you are in your cleaning, the less frequently you’ll have to invest in filter replacements.

Get Routine HVAC Check-Ups

While you can do a lot to keep your HVAC running smoothly, regular check-ups from trusted HVAC contractors will guarantee optimal function year-round. They can check your filter and replace it with a fresh one if needed; they can also recommend the best high-end air filter to address your unique pet-based needs.

HVAC contractors can advise you on additional preventative methods to keep your air conditioner and heating system working efficiently, regardless of pet hair and dander. Many companies offer memberships with seasonal tune-ups and inspections, simplifying the process of scheduling regular HVAC maintenance for homeowners.

Look Into Professional Air Duct Cleaning

Besides regular maintenance check-ups, professional duct cleaning can preserve air quality and reduce filter replacement frequency. If your filters are clogged, dust and debris can collect in your ducts, which can blow into your home when you use your AC or heater. Consider duct cleaning services to keep your ventilation system pristine year-round and prevent significant drops in air quality due to pet debris.

If you’re looking for regular inspections or duct cleaning, the dedicated professionals at ProFlo can help! We provide home and business owners with friendly, hassle-free HVAC maintenance services throughout Southern California. Our HVAC contractors make it easy to keep your home in peak condition with thorough HVAC maintenance and reliable product recommendations. Call ProFlo today at 951-694-1300 or contact us online for a free quote!