HVAC Maintenance and Allergies

man sneezingIn recent years, research has shown that indoor air allergen levels can be significantly more problematic than those occurring outdoors. The good news behind these findings is that, with a little care and forethought, you can safeguard your home against indoor allergens to reduce or even eliminate their harmful effects.

The Persistence of Household Allergens

Unless removed or filtered out, indoor allergens tend to remain indoors once they become trapped in your house. The specific household pollutants that commonly trigger allergies differ dramatically from region to region and home to home. However, some of the more prevalent forms of indoor allergens include:

  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Pet dander, saliva and urine
  • Waste from insect invaders such as dust mites and cockroaches

All of the above particles can take to the air. Once they’re airborne, your family and household guests can easily inhale them and suffer an allergic reaction.

Prevent Allergy Problems with Regular HVAC Maintenance

As it circulates air throughout your home, your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system can both collect and spread allergens. By applying a few preventive measures, however, you can optimize your system to significantly improve overall inside air quality.

Proper HVAC maintenance, especially in springtime, removes harmful allergens that already occupy your home while helping to prevent new allergens from building up. Start breathing easier today by adhering to these simple household guidelines.

Use the right high-quality furnace filter and change it often

Your furnace filter is your best defense against the airborne allergens in your home. Just remember, however, that not every filter is created equal. Ensure that your filters have a MERV 8 rating or better in order to trap a greater number of microscopic particles. Also remember to check your filter on a monthly basis and replace it at least four times per year.

Get rid of debris around your indoor and outdoor HVAC units

Both indoor and outdoor HVAC units pull air from their surroundings. Therefore, any dust and debris in the vicinity of these units is likely to become drawn into the air and circulate throughout your house.

Clean registers and return vents regularly

Although most people dust their house around once per week, they often forget about their registers and return vents. Because they deliver or receive airflow from each room in your home, if these portals are dirty, your air will be dirty.

Check for mold

Examine your ducts, evaporator coils and the air handler every month to look for signs of mold. If you smell a musty odor coming from your vents, contact a HVAC professional as soon as possible.

Schedule a Routine HVAC Maintenance Appointment

Although most people love springtime, others know it only as “allergy season.” Whether you suffer from allergies or not, spring is a great time to schedule a routine HVAC maintenance appointment. A qualified HVAC professional can not only ensure that your HVAC system is healthy but help keep you and your family healthy by keeping your indoor allergen levels to an absolute minimum.

If you have questions about the connection between allergies and your HVAC system, contact the team at Efficient Climate Control today.