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- By: acrsvc_admin
- Posted: 2024/05/03
Do you notice yours or any family member’s asthma and allergy symptoms erupting with the changing seasons? You’re certainly not alone. As many as 60 million people in the U.S. have allergic rhinitis, more frequently known as hay fever, an ailment that triggers nasty symptoms after inhaling pollen.
Remaining inside and keeping windows closed to escape high pollen counts is one approach, but what about indoor allergies? After all, trees, grasses, weeds and flowering plants cause loads of people to sneeze, but allergens such as dust and pet dander can also be fashioned indoors.
By going along with certain tips mentioned below, your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment can help enhance indoor air quality and keep allergy symptoms trapped.
Identifying the role of your HVAC unit in allergen reduction
Before we dive into how you can best help alleviate indoor air impurities, it’s essential to become familiar with the role your HVAC system plays in maintaining indoor air quality. Of course, your system’s principal function is to circulate air throughout your home, adjusting temperature and humidity levels. As a bonus, however, it also filters out airborne particles that may well produce discomfort or even harm to those in your home.
When working appropriately and maintained regularly, your HVAC system is designed to filter out pollutants including dust, pollen and pet dander. This course of action traps these allergens in the system’s air filter rather than recirculating them into your home. In contrast, an inadequately maintained HVAC unit can aggravate allergies by spreading allergens all through your home.
Here’s what the technicians at AC&R Services recommend in helping to allergy-proof your home.
Change your filter regularly
The dirtier your air filter, the more taxing it is to remove pollutants (dust mites, mold, pet dander, dead skin, allergens, viruses and more) from your home’s indoor air. It also causes your HVAC system to work much harder than intended since a dirty filter impedes airflow. It’s best to clean or replace your air filter every 30-90 days, depending on the style (see below) of air filter you use and how much your system runs.
Most HVAC units are installed with a basic filter rated 1 to 4 on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale, which ranges from 1 to 20. You should consider updating to a MERV 6 to 13 filter with a tighter weave, thus able to trap considerably more airborne particles without blocking airflow. Again, once you install a quality air filter, replace it every 30 to 90 days, or as the manufacturer endorses, to prevent it from becoming clogged.
Think about investing in HEPA filters for enhanced allergen reduction
High-Efficiency particulate Air (HEPA) filters are recognized for their exceptional performance in trapping tiny particles, including allergens. These filters feature a higher filtration rate than typical filters and can successfully capture airborne nuisances that trigger allergies.
True, HEPA filters cost more, but they can significantly improve indoor air quality and deliver relief for those in your household with allergies. It’s important to routinely replace these filters as the manufacturer recommends, to maintain their efficiency.
The importance of clean air ducts
Another facet of HVAC maintenance that frequently gets ignored is cleaning the air ducts. Over time, dust, mold spores and other allergens can gather in the ductwork, reducing your system’s efficiency and potentially worsening allergies.
Simply run a microfiber cloth over the vents to catch any hidden dust or debris. The less dust that can be pulled into your HVAC system, the better.
It’s also recommended to have your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years to keep them free of allergen buildup. This is particularly true if someone in your household suffers from severe allergies or ailments such as asthma.
Consider a UV germicidal light
Certain wavelengths on the ultraviolet spectrum have germ-killing assets, making UV lights a useful add-on to your HVAC system. As airborne bacteria, viruses, mold spores and other such microorganisms pass by, the UV light leaves them unable to reproduce, halting the spread of germs throughout your home.
Keep humidity levels in check
Relative humidity levels around 40 percent are the most effective. Most persons are aware that humid air can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can create spores that aggravate allergy and asthma conditions. However, many don’t understand that dry air is also harmful. When there is too little moisture in the air, allergens and pollutants can stay airborne longer, producing asthma and allergy flare-ups and boosting the spread of particles throughout your home. Depending on your own unique situation, you might look to adding a whole house humidifier and/or dehumidifier to your HVAC system.
How do I clean my outdoor unit?
Start by clearing out any branches and leaves from your outdoor unit and clipping neighboring foliage to keep them clear of the fins. Then remove the top condenser and use a hose to spray dirt out the way it came in – through the sides. Sometimes the fins are too close together which can cause dirt to move a bit further inside the unit.
You should plan to clean the fins annually, around the start of summer when your AC is about to be turned back on.
Schedule regular HVAC maintenance visits
Annual maintenance is critical for every homeowner, but for those with allergy sufferers in the household, it’s particularly important. You want to make certain your system is working as it should be and as efficiently as possible. As noted above, it will also be crucial to help ensure that it’s free of mildew, mold, dust and other contaminants that can affect your indoor air quality.
The professionals at AC&R Services recommend having your HVAC system professionally serviced twice a year (in the spring before using the air conditioner and in the fall prior to using the furnace.) Preventive maintenance is important for the life of your HVAC system, addressing any issues before they turn into costly repairs or replacements.
If you have any questions or want to schedule a maintenance appointment, please call us at 570-788-2427.
