How Your Furnace Can Trigger Your Allergies

Have you ever caught when you run your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re sneezing more frequently? While spring allergies seem to get a harsher reputation, fall allergies are still very typical and many people struggle with them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring brisk temperatures weakening our immune systems and from cranking up our heating. This can leave you considering, can furnaces make allergies worse in Fort Lauderdale, or even lead to them? 

While furnaces can’t cause allergies, they sometimes intensify them. How? During the hotter months, dust, dander and other allergens can build up in heating ducts. When the colder temps arrive and we turn our heat on for the first time, all those allergens are now circulated through the ductwork and travel within our houses. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your furnace from aggravating your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Triggering Your Allergies

1. Replace Your HVAC Filter. Frequently replacing your filters is one of the best things you can complete to alleviate your allergies at any time of the year. New filters are better at snagging the allergens in your house’s air, helping to keep you healthier. 

2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do pollutants harbor in your HVAC filters, but in your air ducts as well. An air duct cleaning can help minimize allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system perform more efficiently. When you schedule an air duct cleaning, technicians inspect and clean components like your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers. 

3. Keep Your Furnace Well Maintained. Quality HVAC maintenance and scheduled service are another easy way to both improve your house’s air quality and keep your system working as smoothly as possible. Prior to switching your heating on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC tech perform a maintenance checkup to confirm your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in excellent working order. 

Allergies and frequent illness can be frustrating, and it can be tough to figure out what’s leading to or aggravating them. Here are some common FAQs, along with answers and suggestions that can help.  

Is Forced Air Bad for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are usually told that forced air heating might irritate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can push allergens through the air, causing you to breathe them in more frequently than if you used a radiant heating system. While it’s accurate forced air systems can make your allergies worse, that is only if you avoid suitable maintenance of your system. Other than the practices we listed above, you can also: 

• Dust and vacuum your residence regularly. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to collect in your air ducts, your air system can’t circulate them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some additional cleaning suggestions are: 

• Ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust prior to vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains routinely, as they are a frequent collecto of allergens. 

• Remember to clean behind and under furniture. 

• Watch your home’s moisture levels. High humidity levels can also contribute to more severe allergies. Humidity supports mold growth and dust mites. Installing a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels in check and your indoor air quality much fresher. 

What is the Top Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

Most often, HEPA filters are a great fit if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, like dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the kind. This rating illustrates how well a filter can clean pollutants from the air. As a result of their high-efficiency filtration performance, HEPA filters are dense and can reduce airflow. It’s wise to touch base with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make sure your heating and cooling system can run properly with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Dirty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

Dirty filters can trap particles and allow poor quality air to circulate. This is also applicable for filthy vents. If you inhale these particles it can trigger sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related problems, depending on your sensitivity. 

It’s beneficial to switch out your HVAC filter every 30-60 days, but here are some signals you may need to sooner: 

• It’s taking longer for your system to cool or heat your house. 

• You discover more dust in your residence. 
• Utility expenses are going up with no apparent reason. 
• Your allergies are acting up. 
• Symptoms your air ducts require cleaning include: 
• The metal is covered in dust. 

• Filthy supply and return vents. 
• Mold in your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or air handler. 
• Dust flowing from your vents when your HVAC system is starting. 
• Your residence is always dusty, regardless of constant cleaning. 

Your health and comfort are our top priority at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Whether it’s furnace repair right away.