How Your Furnace Can Spark Your Allergies

Have you ever caught when you turn on your heat for the first time in the fall, you’re sneezing more frequently? While spring allergies seem to get a more severe reputation, fall allergies are still very common and many people are affected by them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring due to brisk temperatures weakening our immune systems and from starting up our equipment. This can leave you considering, can furnaces make allergies worse in Edmonton, or even cause them?

While furnaces can’t lead to allergies, they could aggravate them. How? During the hotter months, dust, dander and other allergens can build up in heating ducts. When the cooler temps hit and we switch our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now pushed out of the ventilation and move within our houses. Thankfully, there are things you can do to stop your furnace from worsening your allergies.

How to Keep Your Furnace from Worsening Your Allergies

1. Get a New HVAC Filter. Regularly replacing your filters is one of the best chores you can complete to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. Clean filters are ideal for catching the allergens in your house’s air, helping to keep you in better health.
2. Freshen Up Your Air Ducts. Not only do pollutants collect in your HVAC filters, but in your vents as well. An air duct cleaning may help reduce allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system run more efficiently. When you call for an air duct cleaning, repair techs review and clean components like your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers.
3. Keep Your Furnace Well Maintained. Adequate HVAC maintenance and routine checkups are another excellent way to both improve your residence’s air quality and keep your system working as effectively as possible. In advance of switching your furnace on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC tech complete a maintenance inspection to verify your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in tip-top shape.

Allergies and continuous illness can be annoying, and it can be hard to figure out what’s leading to or aggravating them. Here are some common FAQs, along with answers and ideas that can help.

Is Forced Air Detrimental for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are typically told that forced air heating may aggravate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can carry allergens through the air, leading you to breathing them in more often than if you owned a radiant heating system. While it’s correct forced air systems can make your allergies worse, that is only if you don’t take appropriate upkeep of your furnace. Other than the things we mentioned above, you can also:

• Dust and vacuum your home frequently. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to collect in your air ducts, your air system can’t circulate them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some extra cleaning ideas are:
  • Ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
  • Dust prior to vacuuming.
  • Clean your curtains regularly, as they are a frequent harbor of allergens.
  • Don’t forget to clean behind and under furniture.
• Watch your house’s moisture levels. High humidity levels can also contribute to aggravating your allergies. Humidity enables mold growth and dust mites. Adding a dehumidifier to your HVAC system keeps moisture levels in check and your indoor air quality much fresher.

What is the Best Furnace Filter for Allergies?

Most often, HEPA filters are a great fit if you or someone in your home deals with 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 reveals how thoroughly a filter can take pollutants from the air. As a result of their high-efficiency filtration performance, HEPA filters are deep and can reduce airflow. It’s wise to talk to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to confirm your heating and cooling system can run correctly with these high efficiency filters.

Can Clogged Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick?

Worn filters can harbor particles and allow poor quality air to circulate. This is also applicable for dirty air ducts. 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 may need to sooner:

• It’s taking longer for your system to cool or heat your house.
• You come across more dust in your house.
• Utility expenses are increasing with no clear reason.
• Your allergies are getting worse.

Clues your air ducts require cleaning include:

• The metal is covered in dust.
• Dirty 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 house is frequently dusty, regardless of continuous cleaning.

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