Pets are a huge benefit to our lives, but they do take a big toll on our HVAC system. All of that hair has to go somewhere, and frequently it ends up in our furnace filters. Overfull filters can damage your furnace, so pet owners will need to choose the right filter and change it more regularly. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the best furnace filter for a home with pets.
Best MERV Rating for Pets
A MERV rating indicates the minimum efficiency of the filter. Filters with higher MERV scores can remove more and smaller particles from the air. A furnace filter with a MERV rating of 5-8 will stop fibers such as dog and cat hair. However, they won’t stop dander, and that’s what you should be concerned with. So, you’ll want to look for a MERV filter of 13-16, so long as your furnace can handle that kind of filter. They can stop dander and other small debris in the air.
Best Furnace Filter for Home with Pets
You also have a choice of filter type. A basic fabric screen filter is not ideal for pets, it’s just can’t have a good enough MERV rating for your needs. A pleated, disposable filter is a better idea. They can have great MERV ratings and the disposable factor is convenient. You could consider buying a reusable filter, but you’ll be washing it quite often, and removing all of that hair isn’t fun. If you don’t mind, a reusable filter can save you a bit of money.
Breathe easier with pets in your home with a proper furnace filter. To learn more, contact our professionals today.
How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter if You Have Pets?
The average homeowner needs to change their filter every six months. As a pet owner, you may have to change out your filters much more often, perhaps every three months. It all depends on how many pets you have and how much they shed. Start looking at your filter every month to see how full it is and whether it is restricting the flow of air through your furnace. You’ll see how often your specific filter needs to be changed, and then you can just set a date and stop checking up on it so regularly.
Air Filter for Home with Pets
It’s not always wise to just rely on your furnace filter to remove pet hair and dander from your home. You can get much better air quality with an air purifier that can remove pet dander and many other contaminants from your air.
Still not sure what kind of filter, or air purifier, you should choose for your home? The team at Whitfield Climate Care can help you choose the right HVAC system. Reach out today.
