Proper HVAC Maintenance Can Help with Allergy Season
Spring is a time when everything is perking up and coming alive, and irritating anyone who has seasonal allergies. It’s hard to enjoy the beauty of the season if your eyes are watering, your throat itches, and you are constantly sneezing. You may think that staying indoors will help with allergies, but in many cases the indoor air quality of a home can be worse than outdoor air because it is trapped and allergens can build up. Spring and fall are especially troubling times for people with allergies because those are the seasons when trees and plants release large amounts of pollen into the air. About 25% of people worldwide suffer from allergies. Aside from taking allergy medication, there are ways to combat seasonal allergies inside your home by having regularly scheduled maintenance done on your HVAC system. Here are some ways regular maintenance can reduce seasonal allergies within your home.
Keep it clean
When your HVAC system is running, it brings in fresh air from outside and then circulates and filters it throughout your home. When the air comes it, it brings with it airborne particles, such as bacteria, mold, spores, and pollen. By having regular maintenance completed on your system, you can reduce the amount of airborne particles that are circulating by having the system properly cleaned.
Keep it dry
Mold, mildew, and other allergens thrive in warm, moist environments. If you have your HVAC system properly cleaned and running efficiently, you will reduce the amount of humidity in the air and keep your home cool, to discourage the growth of bacterias like mold and mildew.
Change your filter
One of the most basic parts of HVAC maintenance is something you can do on your own. Most HVAC filters should be changed once every month, to every six months. It depends on which type of filter you use, and the frequency it needs to be changed will be listed on the filter itself. Changing the filter regularly allows your system to run more efficiently in general. It is especially important to stay up to date with your filter changes during allergy season because if you allow your filter to become overly full with pollen and other airborne particles, it won’t be able to properly filter anymore and your indoor air quality will suffer. Your HVAC system will have to work harder to push air through the clogged filter, and this will cost you more on your energy bill and reduce the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Check air ducts
Another way to reduce allergen build up in your home is to have the air ducts professionally cleaned. It’s recommended that you have them cleaned every 3 to 5 years, but if you live in an allergen hot spot, such as the Mid-Atlantic region, or if you have a loved one who suffers a lot from allergens, you may want to consider having your ductwork cleaned sooner. To be able to tell if it is time to have the duct work professionally cleaned, just take a peek inside and look for any tell-tale signs, such as mold or build up of dust or debris.
Check your outdoor unit
Every so often, check the unit outside to make sure it is free from debris such as leaves, dirt, or anything else that might prevent air from flowing freely into the unit. If the air intake becomes blocked, it will make the system work harder – leading to a higher energy bill and a shortened lifespan for the HVAC. This is a good maintenance tip at all times of the year but especially helpful during allergy season because a system that is running optimally can filter allergens more efficiently.
Add a dehumidifier or air purifier
You can help allergy sufferers, as well as your HVAC system, by purchasing a dehumidifier or air purifier to your home. Part of what allows allergens, such as mold and mildew, to grow, is a warm and humid environment. A humidifier will help your HVAC system by preventing the conditions for mold and mildew to grow, thus stopping it from being circulated throughout the house by the HVAC system. An air purifier can further help by filtering airborne particles, like pollen and bacteria, from the air. This is something you can use to improve your indoor air quality throughout the year, or just during troublesome seasons. Your HVAC system has it’s own filtration system, but depending on the quality of the filter, or how much pollen your area has, a helping hand from an air purifier couldn’t hurt.
Spring is a beautiful time of year, if you aren’t suffering from allergies. Create a cleaner, more comfortable environment for your loved ones by reducing the amount of allergens that circulate within your home. A clean, well-serviced HVAC system can make allergy season more bearable. Contact Weather Crafters today to talk about how we can help you breath easy!
For more information on how to minimize allergy season by maintaining your HVAC system, check out https://www.hvac.com/blog/5-simple-ways-to-reduce-allergens-in-your-home-this-spring/
