How Your Furnace Can Trigger Your Allergies

Have you ever caught when you start your heating for the first time in the fall, you’re sneezing more often? While spring allergies often get a worse reputation, fall allergies are still very common and many people are affected by them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring brisk weather affecting our immune systems and from winding up our heating. This can leave you considering, can furnaces make allergies worse in the U.S., or even trigger them?

While furnaces can’t cause allergies, they sometimes aggravate them. How? During the summer months, dust, dander and other pollutants can accumulate in heating ducts. When the cold conditions arrive and we turn our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now distributed through the vents and move through our residences. Fortunately, there are things you can do to stop your furnace from worsening your allergies.

How to Keep Your Furnace from Affecting Your Allergies

1. 1. Change Your HVAC Filter. Frequently replacing your filters is one of the best things you can perform to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. Fresh filters are superior when catching the allergens in your home’s air, helping to keep you in better health.

2. 2. Freshen Up Your Air Ducts. Not only do small particles harbor in your HVAC filters, but in your ventilation as well. An air duct cleaning could help ease allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system work more efficiently. When you call for an air duct cleaning, our experts inspect and clean components including your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers.

3. 3. Keep Your Furnace in Good Working Order. Proper HVAC maintenance and scheduled service are another excellent way to both boost your residence’s air quality and keep your heating working as effectively as possible. In advance of turning your heat on for the first time, it tends to help to have an HVAC tech run through a maintenance checkup to confirm your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in good condition.

Allergies and frequent illness can be frustrating, and it can be difficult to learn what’s leading to or triggering them. Here are some common FAQs, complete with answers and suggestions that can help.

Is Forced Air Detrimental for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are often told that forced air heating can aggravate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can push allergens through the air, causing you to breathe them in more often than if you used a radiant heating system. While it’s accurate forced air systems might make your allergies more severe, that is only if you put off appropriate maintenance of your heating equipment. Other than the practices we included already, you can also:

• • Dust and vacuum your house often. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to clog your air ducts, your air system can’t transport them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some extra cleaning tips are:

• • Check your vacuum has a HEPA filter.

• • Dust ahead of vacuuming.

• • Clean your curtains routinely, as they are a frequent collecto of allergens.

• • Don’t forget to clean behind and under furniture.

• • Keep an Eye on your residence’s moisture levels. Higher humidity levels can also contribute to worsening of allergies. Humidity enables mold growth and dust mites. Adding a dehumidifier to your HVAC system keeps moisture levels under control and your indoor air quality much healthier.

H2: What is the Top Furnace Filter for Allergies?

In general, HEPA filters are the best if you or someone in your home struggles with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, such as dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the brand or filter material. This rating illustrates how thoroughly a filter can remove pollutants from the air. As a result of their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are dense and can limit airflow. It’s important to talk to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to ensure your heating and cooling system can perform properly with these high efficiency filters.

Can Clogged Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick?

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

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

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

• • You come across more dust in your house.

• • Utility costs are going up with no obvious reason.

• • Your allergies are popping up more often.

• • Signs your air ducts need cleaning include:

• • The metal is coated in dust.

• • Dusty 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 frequently dusty, in spite of frequent cleaning.

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