Can Your Furnace Worsen Your Fall Allergies?

Have you ever felt when you run your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re sniffling more than usual? While spring allergies seem to get a more severe reputation, fall allergies are still very prominent and affect many. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring because of brisk temperatures affecting our immune systems and from starting up our heating. This can leave you thinking, can furnaces make allergies worse in Concord, or even cause them?

While furnaces can’t cause allergies, they can intensify them. How? During the summer months, dust, dander and other pollutants can build up in heating ducts. When the winter temps begin and we switch our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now distributed through the ductwork and travel within our houses. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent your furnace from worsening your allergies.

How to Keep Your Furnace from Affecting Your Allergies

1. Replace Your HVAC Filter. Regularly replacing your filters is one of the best tasks you can complete to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. New filters are superior when catching the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you healthier.
2. Freshen Up Your Air Ducts. Not only do small particles harbor in your HVAC filters, but in your ductwork as well. An air duct cleaning may help minimize allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system perform more efficiently. When you request an air duct cleaning, repair techs check and clean components like your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers.
3. Keep Your Furnace in Good Working Condition. Quality HVAC maintenance and periodic tune-ups are another good way to both increase your residence’s air quality and keep your system running as smoothly as possible. Prior to flipping your furnace on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC technician run through a maintenance inspection to ensure your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in great shape.

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

Is Forced Air Harmful for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are frequently told that forced air heating may 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 had a radiant heating system. While it’s true forced air systems can make your allergies more severe, that is only if you don’t take proper maintenance of your system. Other than the tasks we listed previously, you can also:

• Dust and vacuum your residence regularly. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to accumulate in your air ducts, your air system can’t carry them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some extra cleaning ideas are:
  • Confirm your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
  • Dust prior to vacuuming.
  • Clean your curtains regularly, as they are a typical collector of allergens.
  • Remember to clean behind and under furniture.
• Check your house’s moisture levels. Higher humidity levels can also result in worsening of allergies. Humidity causes mold growth and dust mites. Installing a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels balanced and your indoor air quality much fresher.

What is the Ideal Furnace Filter for Allergies?

Most often, HEPA filters are a strong option if you or someone in your family 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 kind. This rating reveals how thoroughly a filter can remove pollutants from the air. As a result of their high-efficiency filtration materials, HEPA filters are deep and can reduce airflow. It’s wise to touch base with Freschi Service Experts to confirm your heating and cooling system can work properly with these high efficiency filters.

Can Clogged Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick?

Dirty filters can harbor particles and allow poor quality air to circulate. The same goes for filthy ductwork. If you inhale these particles it can produce sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related problems, depending on your sensitivity.

It’s recommended to replace your HVAC filter after 30-60 days, but here are some indications you might need to more regularly:

• It’s taking a longer amount of time for your system to cool or heat your home.
• You notice more dust in your home.
• Energy bills are increasing with no clear reason.
• Your allergies are getting worse.

Symptoms 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 coming from your vents when your HVAC system is starting.
• Your residence is often dusty, in spite of continuous cleaning.

Your health and comfort are our highest priority at Freschi Service Experts. Whether it’s furnace repair today.