How Your Furnace Can Spark Your Allergies

Have you ever felt when you turn on your heat for the first time in the fall, you’re sniffling more than usual? While spring allergies often get a harsher reputation, fall allergies are still very typical and many people struggle with them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring colder weather affecting our immune systems and from cranking up our equipment. This could leave you considering, can furnaces make allergies worse in Fort Lauderdale, or even cause them? 

While furnaces can’t cause allergies, they could aggravate them. How? During the warmer months, dust, dander and other pollutants can collect in heating ducts. When the winter temps begin and we switch our heat on for the first time, all those allergens are now pushed out of the vents and circulate throughout our homes. Luckily, there are things you can do to stop your furnace from irritating your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Triggering Your Allergies

1. Replace Your HVAC Filter. Regularly replacing your filters is one of the best chores you can complete to alleviate your allergies at any time of the year. Clean filters are better at snagging the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you in better health. 

2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do particulates collect in your HVAC filters, but in your ductwork as well. An air duct cleaning could help reduce allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system perform more efficiently. When you schedule an air duct cleaning, repair techs review and clean components including your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers. 

3. Keep Your Furnace Well Maintained. Quality HVAC maintenance and scheduled tune-ups are another great way to both improve your residence’s air quality and keep your heater working as effectively as possible. Prior to flipping your heat on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC tech run through a maintenance inspection to confirm your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in tip-top condition. 

Allergies and recurring illness can be irritating, and it can be tough to discover what’s causing or aggravating them. Here are some extra FAQs, complete with answers and tips that can help.  

Is Forced Air Bad for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are usually told that forced air heating may irritate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can push allergens through the air, causing you to breathe them in more often than if you had a radiant heating system. While it’s true forced air systems can make your allergies not so good, that is only if you don’t take appropriate upkeep of your heating equipment. Other than the practices we listed previously, you can also: 

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

• Confirm your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust prior to vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains regularly, as they are a frequent harbor of allergens. 

• Remember to clean behind and under furniture. 

• Watch your house’s moisture levels. Increased humidity levels can also contribute to more severe allergies. Humidity causes mold growth and dust mites. Getting a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels in check and your indoor air quality much better. 

What is the Top Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

Typically, HEPA filters are the best if you or someone in your household suffers from allergies. HEPA filters are rated to remove 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, like dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the type. This rating demonstrates how successfully 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 helpful to contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make sure your heating and cooling system can perform right with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Dusty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

Old filters can trap particles and allow poor quality air to move throughout your home. This also applies to dusty ductwork. If you inhale these particles it can cause sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related problems, depending on your sensitivity. 

It’s recommended to swap out your HVAC filter every 30-60 days, but here are some signs you might need to sooner: 

• It’s taking a longer amount of time for your system to cool or heat your residence. 

• You discover more dust in your home. 
• Energy costs are rising with no obvious reason. 
• Your allergies are popping up more often. 
• Signs your air ducts require cleaning include: 
• The metal is sitting in dust. 

• Dirty 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 running. 
• Your residence is often dusty, in spite of constant cleaning. 

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