5 Ways to Alleviate Allergies with Your HVAC System
If you are one of the millions of Americans affected by allergies every year, make sure your HVAC system is helping alleviate your symptoms, not making them worse. How? Follow these five tips:
- Combat humidity
Low humidity in your home means less moisture, and that is very important to hindering mold growth. How do you combat humidity? Air conditioning reduces the humidity level in your home. You can install a dehumidifier in your home to help as well.
- Use an air purifier
Air purifiers are designed to neutralize airborne allergens in your home and improve your indoor air quality. An air purifier, along with your HVAC system and high-quality air filters, is a great three-pronged approach to combating airborne allergens. You can have a HVAC professional install one in your home. - Clean your home regularly
We bring allergens into our homes in all kinds of ways – on the bottoms of our shoes, on our clothes, on our pets’ hair, on our children and on our outerwear, just to name a few. If you suffer from allergies, it is a good idea to clean your home regularly to remove allergens as much as possible. This includes dusting, vacuuming, mopping and washing laundry. And when cleaning, it is best to use natural or fragrance-free cleaning products, again to improve the quality of your home’s indoor air. - Schedule regular HVAC maintenance appointments
Annual maintenance is important for every homeowner, but for those with allergies, it is especially important. You want to be sure your system is working properly and as efficiently as possible. It will also important to be sure it is clean of mildew, mold, dust and other contaminants that can affect your indoor air quality.
We recommend having your HVAC system professionally serviced twice a year (in the spring before using the air conditioner for the first time and in the fall before using the furnace for the first time). Preventive maintenance is important for the life of your HVAC system, addressing any issues before they turn into expensive repairs or replacements. - Change your air filter regularly
The dirtier your air filter becomes, the harder 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 harder, not as efficiently as possible, because it restricts airflow. It is best to clean or replace your air filter every 30-90 days, depending on the type of air filter you use and how much your system runs.
What is the best air filter for your home? For allergy sufferers, you want to purchase a high-efficiency air filter that helps alleviate your allergy symptoms, removing the most airborne pollutants but also enables your HVAC system to do its job without strain. Check out our blog post about types of air filters and see which is the best for your home.
These five tips are important for all homeowners to follow with their HVAC systems, but they are especially critical for those suffering from allergies. For more information on indoor air quality, see this “Care for Your Air” guide from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Stiles Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing knows indoor air quality is important to help keep your family healthy and wants to help. Call today for more tips on improving your indoor air quality or to schedule a maintenance appointment for your HVAC system.
