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 frequently? While spring allergies usually get a worse reputation, fall allergies are still very prominent and many people struggle with them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring due to temps weakening our immune systems and from cranking up our furnaces. This may leave you wondering, can furnaces make allergies worse in the U.S., or even lead to them?

While furnaces can’t create allergies, they could intensify them. How? During the hotter months, dust, dander and other allergens can accumulate in heating ducts. When the winter temps hit and we turn our furnaces on for the first time, all those allergens are now circulated through the vents and move through our homes. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep your furnace from aggravating your allergies.

How to Keep Your Furnace from Worsening Your Allergies

1. 1. Get a New HVAC Filter. Routinely replacing your filters is one of the best things you can do to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. Fresh filters are superior when trapping the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you breathing easy.

2. 2. Clean Your Air Ducts. Not only do small particles collect in your HVAC filters, but in your air ducts as well. An air duct cleaning might help reduce allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system work more efficiently. When you request an air duct cleaning, our experts review and clean components including your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers.

3. 3. Keep Your Furnace Well Maintained. Quality HVAC maintenance and periodic service are another great way to both boost your house’s air quality and keep your heating running as efficiently as possible. Before switching your furnace on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC technician complete a maintenance examination to confirm your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in working working order.

Allergies and continuous illness can be frustrating, and it can be difficult to pinpoint what’s leading to or worsening them. Here are some common FAQs, complete with answers and ideas that can help.

Is Forced Air Detrimental for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are frequently told that forced air heating could irritate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can push allergens through the air, leading you to breathing them in more frequently than if you owned a radiant heating system. While it’s correct forced air systems may make your allergies worse, that is only if you put off proper care of your system. Other than the things we mentioned already, 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 transport them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some added cleaning tips are:

• • Confirm your vacuum has a HEPA filter.

• • Dust prior to vacuuming.

• • Clean your curtains periodically, as they are a typical harbor of allergens.

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

• • Keep an Eye on your home’s moisture levels. Higher humidity levels can also result in more severe allergies. Humidity supports mold growth and dust mites. Getting a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels under control and your indoor air quality much better.

H2: What is the Best Furnace Filter for Allergies?

In general, HEPA filters are the best if you or someone in your home deals with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to remove 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, including dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the kind. This rating reveals how well a filter can remove pollutants from the air. Due to their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are thick and can restrict airflow. It’s important to contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to confirm your heating and cooling system can run correctly with these high efficiency filters.

Can Dirty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick?

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

It’s beneficial to replace your HVAC filter every 30-60 days, but here are some indications you could need to more frequently:

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

• • You come across more dust in your residence.

• • Utility costs are rising with no obvious reason.

• • Your allergies are acting up.

• • Signs your air ducts need cleaning include:

• • The metal is coated 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 home 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 now.