How Your Furnace Can Trigger Your Allergies

Have you ever noticed when you turn on your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re sniffling more often? While spring allergies usually get a more severe reputation, fall allergies are still very prominent and many people struggle with them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring brisk temps weakening our immune systems and from starting up our heating. This could leave you thinking, can furnaces make allergies worse in Fort Lauderdale, or even trigger them? 

While furnaces can’t create allergies, they sometimes aggravate them. How? During the warmer months, dust, dander and other allergens can accumulate in heating ducts. When the winter temperatures begin and we turn our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now distributed through the vents and travel through our houses. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your furnace from irritating your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Affecting Your Allergies

1. Change Your HVAC Filter. Regularly replacing your filters is one of the best things you can complete to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. Fresh filters are ideal for snagging the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you breathing easy. 

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 can help reduce allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system perform more efficiently. When you call for an air duct cleaning, technicians inspect 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 service are another good way to both strengthen your home’s air quality and keep your heater performing as effectively as possible. Before switching your heat on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC mechanic run through a maintenance checkup to verify your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in good condition. 

Allergies and continual illness can be irritating, and it can be hard to pinpoint what’s leading to or worsening them. Here are some extra FAQs, including answers and ideas that can help.  

Is Forced Air Bad for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are often told that forced air heating may aggravate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can circulate allergens through the air, leading you to breathing them in more often than if you owned 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 proper maintenance of your system. Other than the things we mentioned previously, you can also: 

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

• Ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust in advance of vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains routinely, as they are a frequent hiding place of allergens. 

• Make sure to clean behind and under furniture. 

• Watch your house’s moisture levels. High humidity levels can also contribute to worsening of allergies. Humidity enables mold growth and dust mites. Getting a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels under control and your indoor air quality much fresher. 

What is the Ideal Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

Generally, HEPA filters are the best if you or someone in your household struggles with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to remove 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 brand or filter material. This rating reveals how thoroughly a filter can take pollutants from the air. Due to their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are dense and can reduce airflow. It’s helpful to contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to confirm your heating and cooling system can perform properly with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Dirty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

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

It’s smart to replace your HVAC filter after 30-60 days, but here are some indications you may need to sooner: 

• It’s taking more time for your system to cool or heat your residence. 

• You discover more dust in your house. 
• Heating and cooling costs are rising with no clear reason. 
• Your allergies are popping up more often. 
• Symptoms 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 emitting from your vents when your HVAC system is running. 
• Your residence is often dusty, in spite of continuous cleaning. 

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