Spring is officially here, and we all know what that means - it’s allergy season. If you’re someone who struggles with seasonal allergies, you probably don’t want to be suffering from itchy eyes and a runny nose inside of your home. Taking proper care of your HVAC can significantly reduce allergy symptoms by lessening the amount of pollen, dust mites, and mold inside your home.
For an allergy-free spring, try these tips for a healthier home.
High-Quality Air Filters
When it comes to indoor air quality, your air filters are the main defense line for removing debris and other particles from the home. Investing in high-quality air filters will prevent dust and debris from collecting on and in your HVAC system.
Filters are measured by MERVs, so you should always be looking for a filter with a MERV rate of at least 8 to trap the smallest particles. Filters with a MERV rating of 10 or higher will perform best. Dirty air filters will force your HVAC to work even harder to distribute air and will result in the spread of more allergens throughout your home.
Pro tip: Check your filters monthly and replace them every three months to ensure the best indoor air quality possible.
Clean Your Outdoor Unit
Your HVAC system will pull air from outside that circulates throughout your home. If your outdoor unit has any dirt, dust, or debris around it, those allergens will be brought into your house. It’s essential to keep your outdoor unit clean, so the allergens are not carried inside. A dirty condenser coil also increases your AC unit’s stress, meaning it will operate inconsistently and do a poor job at dehumidifying. Allergens grow when there is excess moisture in the air.
Clean Your Air Ducts
Clean air ducts will circulate fresh air. The air cycling through your vents is the air that fills every room in your home. It is also the same air that you breathe in every day, which is why you want it to be as clean as possible. Ensure your air ducts are free of dust, dirt, and dander that can worsen allergy symptoms. It’s also important to schedule professional duct cleaning regularly. Not only do clean air ducts create a healthier living environment, but they also help everyone breathe more comfortable and reduce airborne allergens.
Keep Humidity Levels in Check
Adding a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier to your HVAC system will keep humidity levels in check. This will preserve air quality and help with reducing allergy symptoms. If there is too much moisture, this can create mold or mildew, which worsens symptoms. While most people know the consequences of humid air, many do not realize that dry air also triggers symptoms. When there is not enough moisture in the air, allergens can remain airborne longer, which can cause flare-ups.
Install an Air Purifier
Air purifiers remove indoor pollutants inside your home that can trigger allergies, such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Installing a whole house air purifier to your HVAC system will help ensure clean air is distributed and reduce the airborne contaminants. For seasonal allergy control, air purifiers will deliver a safe and clean environment by trapping the airborne particles that trigger allergy symptoms and create overall healthier air inside your home.
Keep Surfaces Clean
It’s vital to incorporate regular cleaning into your routine. Vacuuming weekly and cleaning up after your pet’s dander will help prevent the buildup of these allergens and irritants within your air filter and ductwork. Keeping shoes outside and changing your clothes after outdoor activities will also reduce the number of irritants collected outdoors.
The professionals at Carter Comfort Systems take pride in offering cutting edge HVAC services. If you think your HVAC system is dirty or needs repairs before allergy season kicks in, contact us today to schedule your appointment.