Pets bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love to millions of households across the United States. Whether you’re a proud dog owner, a devoted cat lover, or the caretaker of smaller pets like ferrets, rabbits, or birds, your animal companions are a big part of your home life. In fact, approximately 66% of U.S. households—around 86.9 million homes—have at least one pet. While pets bring happiness, they also impact your HVAC system. Here’s what you absolutely need to know!
How Many Pet Owners Are There in the U.S.?
Pet ownership is widespread across the country, with dogs and cats leading the way. Around 65.1 million households own at least one dog, while 46.5 million homes have a cat. Smaller pets such as rabbits and ferrets contribute to the diverse pet landscape, although specific statistics on their ownership are less prevalent. Meanwhile, bird ownership is also common, with approximately 20.6 million pet birds living in American homes.
How Pet Hair, Dander, and Feathers Affect HVAC Performance
For furry pets, shedding is a major contributor to HVAC issues. Unless you have a breed that doesn’t shed, pet hair and tiny skin flakes known as dander become airborne, eventually making their way into your home’s HVAC system. Over time, these particles accumulate in air filters, ducts, and vents, restricting airflow, reducing efficiency, and lowering overall air quality. A clogged filter forces your HVAC system to work harder, consuming more energy and shortening its lifespan. If filters aren’t changed regularly, excessive pet hair and dander buildup can recirculate through your home, triggering allergies and respiratory issues for sensitive individuals.
How often should you change your filter? The honest answer is that the more pets you have, the more often you should change it, at least once every 30 –60 days!
The type of pet you own can impact how often you need to change your HVAC filter. Long-haired dog breeds like Golden Retrievers and Huskies shed significantly more than short-haired breeds like Poodles or Dachshunds. Cats, particularly those with thick undercoats like Maine Coons and Persians, can contribute just as much fur to your system. Even small pets like rabbits shed fine hair that can clog filters, while ferrets shed lightly year-round but produce dander that can accumulate in ducts. The more shedding animals you have, the faster your filter will become clogged, requiring frequent replacement.
Keep those filters on hand and change them routinely. Keep them on hand by purchasing them from your friendly, locally owned ServiceOne. Order what you need here, and filters will arrive on your doorstep!
Do Birds Affect HVAC Systems?
While birds don’t shed fur, they produce fine feather dust, which can pose similar challenges to HVAC systems. Birds such as African Greys, cockatoos, and cockatiels generate large amounts of this powdery dust as a natural part of their preening process. These microscopic particles become airborne, accumulating in filters, vents, and air ducts much like pet dander. Over time, excessive feather dust can clog filters, restricting airflow and forcing your HVAC system to work harder.
Beyond filter concerns, bird owners also need to be mindful of fire risks. Feathers and nesting materials near HVAC intake vents or heating units can become fire hazards if not properly managed. Additionally, bird dander in the air can reduce indoor air quality, potentially triggering allergies in sensitive individuals.
To keep your HVAC system running efficiently, bird owners – like dog and cat owners - should replace their air filters at least every 30 to 60 days—possibly more often if they own multiple birds or a particularly dusty species. Regular cage cleaning can also help minimize airborne particles and scheduling professional HVAC maintenance ensures that excess feather dust doesn’t accumulate in ductwork over time.
What Type of HVAC Filter Is Best for Pet Owners?
Not all air filters are created equal, and pet owners should invest in high-quality filters that effectively capture pet hair, dander, and feather dust. Standard fiberglass filters may not be sufficient for homes with animals, so consider the following options:
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which can trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including pet dander, pollen, and dust mites.
Electrostatic filters, which use static electricity to attract and hold pet hair and fine particles.
Filters with a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, ideally between 8 and 13, to ensure effective pet hair and dander capture.
If you’re unsure which filter is best for your home, the HVAC professionals at ServiceOne Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you choose the right option for your needs.
Consider an Air Purification System
Pet owners know that their critters are worth a bit of fur and feather dander in the air, but those floating particles are not a good thing! Pet dander, odors, and allergens affect indoor air quality. The Reme Halo air purification system is a game-changer for pet owners, as it actively reduces airborne contaminants, including pet dander, bacteria, and even lingering pet odors. Using advanced ionized hydro-peroxide technology, it purifies the air throughout your home, not just at the filter, helping to create a fresher, healthier environment for both pets and their owners. Plus, by reducing allergens and irritants, it can make breathing easier for those with allergies or asthma. With the Reme Halo, you can enjoy all the joys of pet ownership without compromising on clean, fresh air.
What About Reptile Owners? Do They Need to Worry About HVAC Maintenance?
Unlike furry or feathered pets, reptiles such as snakes, lizards, and turtles do not produce hair, dander, or feather dust, meaning they have little impact on HVAC filters. However, reptile owners have unique climate control needs that can indirectly affect HVAC performance. Many reptiles require carefully controlled temperature and humidity levels, and their enclosures often rely on heat lamps, basking bulbs, and misting systems.
If multiple heat sources are in use, they can contribute to increased indoor temperatures, causing your air conditioning system to work harder—especially in warm climates like Florida. Additionally, misting systems for reptiles that require high humidity, such as chameleons and certain species of geckos, can elevate indoor humidity levels, potentially affecting HVAC dehumidification performance.
To maintain a stable indoor environment, reptile owners should use programmable thermostats to regulate home temperatures efficiently. Ensuring adequate ventilation can help prevent excessive humidity buildup, and occasional HVAC filter checks are still advisable to remove any airborne dust or substrate particles that might circulate from reptile enclosures.
Keeping Your HVAC System Pet-Friendly and People-Friendly
Owning pets doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice indoor air quality or HVAC efficiency. Whether you have dogs, cats, birds, or reptiles, you can maintain a clean and healthy home environment by choosing the right filters, sticking to a regular maintenance schedule, and scheduling professional HVAC inspections.
At ServiceOne Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we understand the unique challenges pet owners face when it comes to maintaining air quality and HVAC performance. Whether you need expert advice on filter selection, air purification systems, programmable thermostats, or routine HVAC maintenance, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a service and keep your home’s air clean and comfortable for every member of your family—including the furry, feathered, and scaly ones!