If you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies, you know how troublesome they are. You’d likely do anything for relief from itchy eyes, constant sneezing, and congestion. But did you know that the HVAC system in your Champaign, IL home may worsen your allergies? Or that there are ways you can use your HVAC to help minimize symptoms? Here’s everything you need to know about the connection between your allergies and your HVAC.
How HVAC Systems Contribute to Allergies
Central ducted HVAC systems are efficient and a good comfort solution. However, they do introduce some problems to the average home. One is that they can spread allergens from one room to another. So, if you have an allergy sufferer in your home, there’s no way to isolate them in a clean environment. For example, you may try and keep your pets confined to one part of your home. But whenever your HVAC turns on, it will pull in their dander and spread it elsewhere.
HVAC ductwork also provides a dark environment that may foster mold growth. That’s especially a problem during humid months, which coincide with the peak of the allergy season. Plus, the inside of your home’s ductwork can get dirty and dusty over years of use. Since the buildup isn’t anywhere you can see, it may silently exacerbate your allergies.
Using Your HVAC to Improve Allergy Symptoms
You can mitigate the adverse effects of your HVAC on your allergies in multiple ways. Here are the best methods to use.
Upgrade Your HVAC Air Filter
You may think that the air filter in your HVAC does a decent job of cleaning your home’s air. Unfortunately, that’s rarely true. HVAC air filters are primarily there to protect your HVAC’s moving parts from dust and dirt buildup. You’ll need an upgrade if you want them to improve your home’s air quality meaningfully.
The typical air filter in a residential HVAC has a MERV rating of 6. That’s insufficient to filter out the most common allergens in your home. Upgrade your HVAC air filter to one with a MERV rating of at least 11 for allergy relief. Most HVAC systems will accommodate one with little to no effect on airflow. However, upgrading beyond a MERV 13 filter could hamper your HVAC efficiency and performance.
Get Regular Duct Cleanings
To keep your home’s ductwork dust, dirt, and mold-free, you should have it professionally cleaned every three years. That will help keep your home’s air quality as high as possible. It will also warn you early if your home’s ductwork is damaged. Compromised ductwork can exacerbate allergy issues, too.
Consider a Whole-Home Air Purifier
Consider a whole-home air purifier if you or anyone in your home suffers especially severe allergies. Such systems attach to your ductwork and work alongside your HVAC to remove pollutants from the air. You can choose a passive solution like a filter box that augments the performance of your existing HVAC air filter. You can also opt for an active solution like HEPA filtration. Those systems work independently of your HVAC and offer the same air quality output you’d find in hospitals.
If mold is one of your allergy triggers, a UV light sterilization system is appropriate. It uses a type of radiation that kills mold when exposed. UV systems typically reside in your ductwork near your HVAC indoor unit. They prevent mold growth in your HVAC system to keep it out of your air.
Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance
Finally, you need a qualified HVAC technician to service your HVAC at least once yearly. They’ll remove any dust or dirt that evaded filtration and reached the inside of your system. They’ll also adjust your HVAC as necessary, test its components, and lubricate its moving parts. That will help your HVAC last longer and perform consistently as an ally in your fight against allergies.
Indoor Air Quality Experts
If you need help managing allergens in your Champaign home, Bash Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is where to turn. We offer comprehensive indoor air quality services, including filtration systems, purifiers, and humidifiers. We can also handle your other HVAC needs and offer convenient maintenance agreements. So, if you need indoor air quality solutions for your Champaign home, contact Bash Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc..
