Spring has sprung. Trees are beginning to put on new leaves, grass is growing greener, and the birds are busy building nests for their future young. It’s a great time of year unless you are among the 50 million people in the United States who suffer from seasonal allergies. If you are one of those unlucky people with seasonal allergies, you know spring as the time for sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and stuffy nose. Believe it or not, you might have a secret weapon inside your home that could help alleviate some of the symptoms of seasonal allergies. It isn’t in your medicine cabinet; it’s your HVAC system. Although your HVAC system can’t help you when you are outside surrounded in a cloud of pollen, it can help protect you when you are inside your home.
Check Your Humidity Levels
Your HVAC system not only heats and cools the air, but it also conditions it. One of the important jobs of your HVAC system is to control moisture levels in your home. Why is that important? When air is too dry, allergens can stay longer in the air which increases the chance that those allergens will find their way into your respiratory system. If the air in your home becomes too humid, fungal growth can become a problem. What is the proper humidity level in your home? According to the Mayo Clinic, a home’s humidity levels should be between 30 and 50 percent. Many smart thermostats include the humidity levels on the screen. If you notice that your HVAC system is not controlling your humidity levels properly, you can get a humidifier or a dehumidifier installed on your HVAC system.
Replace Air Filters Regularly
One of the most important jobs that your HVAC system has is to filter out allergens and dust from the air that pours into your home. If your filter is dirty, it is limited to the number of particulates it can filter out from your air. Most HVAC experts recommend that you check your filters once a month to see if they are ready to be changed. A good way to remember this is to check your filter every time you get your utility bill. Most HVAC professionals recommend changing your filter every 30 days.
Dust Return Vents and Registers Regularly
While many people dust their homes about once a week, many people do forget to dust their return vents and registers. The return vents house your air filters. Your registers can be located in your ceiling or your floor. As air flows out of these vents, dust that is inside your house can settle on these vents causing your indoor air quality (IAQ) to not be as good as it should be and can be problematic for those who suffer from allergies. You can dust these with a damp cloth.
Schedule Preventative HVAC Maintenance
HVAC experts suggest that homeowners should schedule preventive maintenance twice a year. HVAC technicians will inspect your system and clean coils that could be dirty. Not only does this help your unit run efficiently, but it can also prevent dirt, dust, and dander from entering your home. Your outside unit will also be inspected to make sure no debris is covering or is around your condenser. Having your duct system cleaned is also a good idea since dirt and dust can be become trapped there. Your HVAC professional can clean your duct system for you.
Conclusion
Hopefully, your spring will be a new beginning with less allergies. Take care of your HVAC unit and let it take care of you by keeping the majority of the allergens outside. You can also check TN’s allergy index daily here and know whether you want to venture outside or remain inside.
Contact LarcomAir to schedule your preventative maintenance today.