How Your Furnace Can Spark Your Allergies

Have you ever caught when you turn on your heating for the first time in the fall, you’re wheezing more frequently? While spring allergies seem to get a harsher reputation, fall allergies are still very typical and many people are affected by them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring due to temperatures weakening our immune systems and from cranking up our furnaces. This might leave you thinking, can furnaces make allergies worse in Fort Lauderdale, or even trigger them? 

While furnaces can’t create allergies, they can intensify them. How? During the summer months, dust, dander and other allergens can accumulate in heating ducts. When the winter temps hit and we switch our heat on for the first time, all those allergens are now distributed through the vents and travel through our homes. Luckily, there are things you can do to stop your furnace from aggravating your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Triggering Your Allergies

1. Replace Your HVAC Filter. Frequently replacing your filters is one of the best things you can do to help your allergies at any time of the year. Fresh filters are ideal for trapping the allergens in your house’s air, helping to keep you in better health. 

2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do small particles gather in your HVAC filters, but in your vents as well. An air duct cleaning can help ease allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system perform more efficiently. When you call for an air duct cleaning, technicians inspect and clean components including your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers. 

3. Keep Your Furnace in Good Working Condition. Adequate HVAC maintenance and periodic checkups are another easy way to both improve your house’s air quality and keep your heater running as efficiently as possible. Before switching your furnace on for the first time, it can help to have an HVAC technician run through a maintenance examination to verify your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in working shape. 

Allergies and continual illness can be irritating, and it can be hard to learn what’s causing or triggering them. Here are some additional FAQs, including answers and suggestions that might help.  

Is Forced Air Detrimental for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are often told that forced air heating might irritate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can circulate allergens through the air, causing you to breathe them in more regularly than if you owned a radiant heating system. While it’s correct forced air systems may make your allergies not so good, that is only if you don’t take proper maintenance of your furnace. Other than the practices we listed previously, you can also: 

• Dust and vacuum your residence often. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to accumulate in your air ducts, your air system can’t transport them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some extra cleaning tips are: 

• Check your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust ahead of vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains routinely, as they are a frequent collecto of allergens. 

• Don’t forget to clean behind and under furniture. 

• Watch your home’s moisture levels. Increased humidity levels can also contribute to worsening of allergies. Humidity supports mold growth and dust mites. Getting a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels in check and your indoor air quality much healthier. 

What is the Ideal Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

Typically, HEPA filters are a great fit if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies. HEPA filters are rated to filter 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 successfully a filter can clean pollutants from the air. Because of their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are dense and can restrict airflow. It’s wise to contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to ensure your heating and cooling system can work correctly with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Clogged Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

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

It’s beneficial to replace your HVAC filter around 30-60 days, but here are some indications you might need to sooner: 

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

• You find more dust in your home. 
• Energy bills are increasing with no clear 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 working. 
• Your home is often dusty, regardless of constant cleaning. 

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