HVAC & Pets in Alberta: Keep Your Home Comfy (and Your Furnace From Becoming a Fur Trap)

Serving Stony Plain, Spruce Grove & Parkland County

If you’ve got pets, you already know the deal: they’re family… and they shed like it’s their job. That fur (and dander) doesn’t just live on the couch—it can end up in your furnace filter, AC coil, return air ducts, and basically anywhere your HVAC system breathes.

Here’s a fun, practical guide for pet owners to keep your home comfortable, your air cleaner, and your heating & cooling system running happier—especially during those Alberta temperature swings.

1) Your Furnace Filter Is Basically a Pet Hair Catcher

In a pet home, your furnace filter is doing double duty: normal dust + pet hair + dander.

Pet-home filter tips:

• Check your filter monthly

• Replace it when it looks dusty/fuzzy (sometimes every 30–60 days in pet homes)

• If airflow feels weak, don’t wait—filters plug up fast with shedding

Why it matters: A dirty filter can cause low airflow, extra noise, poor comfort, and in some cases can contribute to overheating trips or short cycling.

2) “Why Is My House So Dusty?” (The Pet Edition)

Pet dander is tiny and sneaky. Even if you can’t see it, your HVAC system is pulling it through the return air every time it runs.

Quick wins:

• Vacuum around return air grilles (they collect hair like magnets)

• Keep furniture/pet beds away from returns

• Consider a filter upgrade that improves capture without choking airflow

If you’re in Spruce Grove or Stony Plain and your home always feels dusty, it’s often an airflow + filtration combo—not just “bad luck.”

3) Your Return Air Grille Is Your System’s Nose (Let It Breathe)

A lot of pets love napping beside the return air grille because it’s cozy. The only issue: if the return is blocked, your furnace and AC can’t move enough air.

Common signs of return air problems:

• Whistling vents / louder furnace

• Rooms that heat/cool unevenly

• Furnace running longer than it should

• Hot rooms upstairs / cold spots in winter

Simple fix: Move pet beds and storage a couple feet away from return grilles.

4) AC + Pet Hair = Coil Trouble in Summer

In cooling season, your indoor coil is removing moisture from the air. If airflow is restricted (dirty filter, blocked return, dusty ducts), the coil can get too cold and cooling performance can drop.

Signs your AC may be struggling:

• Weak airflow

• AC runs forever

• Some rooms never cool properly

• Ice on refrigerant lines (if you see this, shut it down and get it checked)

A little prevention goes a long way—especially before the first real heat wave hits Parkland County.

5) Pet Smells Happen… HVAC Can Help (Without Being Weird About It)

We’re pet people too. Sometimes “wet dog season” wins. Sometimes the litter box is having a moment. It happens.

HVAC-friendly ways to help:

• Proper filter schedule

• Ventilation (HRV) set up correctly

• Air quality options that fit the home (not one-size-fits-all)

Fresh air + proper circulation usually beats covering smells with candles and hoping for the best.

6) The Movie-Theatre Trick: Fan “ON” Can Help With Comfort

If you’ve got hot/cold rooms (or a room that’s always warmer—like a home theatre), running the furnace fan on continuous can help mix air and reduce temperature swings.

Important note: We usually recommend using your furnace fan, not your HRV, for circulation. HRVs are for ventilation (fresh air), not full-time airflow balancing.

7) Pet Owner HVAC Checklist (Easy Mode)

Here’s the quick, do-this-and-you’re-winning list:

• Check/replace furnace filter regularly
• Keep returns and supplies unblocked
• Vacuum around return grilles
• Book seasonal maintenance (before peak season)
• Don’t close too many vents (it can mess with airflow)
• Brush pets more often during shedding season (sorry ?)

Quick Pet Safety Note (So We Can Work Safely ?)

We love pets—seriously. But not every pet loves strangers in their home, and that’s totally normal.
For everyone’s safety (including your furry family), please make sure pets are comfortable with visitors or can be safely kept in another room/kennel while we’re working. It keeps stress low for your pet and helps us get your heat/cooling back on faster.

Need Help With Airflow, Filters, or Comfort Issues?

If your home in Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, or Parkland County feels dusty, uneven, or your furnace/AC seems louder than normal, we can help you figure out the simplest fix—sometimes it’s just filtration and airflow, sometimes it’s duct design or balancing.

Call/Text: 780-870-4328
Service Area: Stony Plain • Spruce Grove • Parkland County

FAQ

How often should I change my furnace filter if I have pets?
Most pet homes should check monthly and often replace every 30–60 days, depending on shedding and filter type.

Can pet hair damage my furnace or AC?
It can restrict airflow by clogging filters and contributing to dust buildup, which can reduce efficiency and comfort and increase wear over time.

Why is one room hotter (or colder) in a pet home?
It’s usually an airflow issue—blocked returns, dirty filters, or duct layout. Continuous fan circulation can help, and balancing/duct changes may be needed.

Should I run my furnace fan all the time?
In many homes it helps even out temperatures and improves filtration. It can slightly increase electrical use, but comfort often improves.

Do air purifiers help with pet dander?
Sometimes, yes—especially when paired with proper filtration and airflow. The best solution depends on your system and home layout.