How Your Furnace Can Spark Your Allergies

Have you ever noticed when you run your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re sniffling more often? While spring allergies often get a harsher reputation, fall allergies are still very prominent and affect many. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring thanks to temperatures affecting our immune systems and from starting up our heating. This may leave you considering, can furnaces make allergies worse in Windsor, or even trigger them? 

While furnaces can’t lead to allergies, they could intensify them. How? During the warmer months, dust, dander and other pollutants can collect in heating ducts. When the cooler temps arrive and we flip our heat on for the first time, all those allergens are now pushed out of the ductwork and circulate throughout our homes. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent your furnace from aggravating your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Worsening Your Allergies

1. Replace Your HVAC Filter. Regularly replacing your filters is one of the best tasks you can complete to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. New filters are better at catching the allergens in your home’s air, helping to keep you breathing easy. 

2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do pollutants collect in your HVAC filters, but in your ventilation as well. An air duct cleaning could help ease allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system run more efficiently. When you request an air duct cleaning, repair techs inspect and clean components such as your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers. 

3. Keep Your Furnace Well Maintained. Proper HVAC maintenance and regular service are another excellent way to both boost your residence’s air quality and keep your system performing as efficiently as possible. In advance of flipping your heat on for the first time, it tends to help to have an HVAC technician complete a maintenance inspection to confirm your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in excellent working order. 

Allergies and frequent illness can be frustrating, and it can be tough to discover what’s leading to or aggravating them. Here are some additional FAQs, complete with answers and ideas that can help.  

Is Forced Air Harmful for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are usually told that forced air heating may affect 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 accurate forced air systems might make your allergies worse, that is only if you don’t take appropriate upkeep of your furnace. Other than the practices we listed previously, you can also: 

• Dust and vacuum your house regularly. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to collect in your air ducts, your air system can’t transport them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some extra cleaning suggestions include: 

• Ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust ahead of vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains regularly, as they are a typical hiding place of allergens. 

• Make sure to clean behind and under furniture. 

• Keep an Eye on your house’s moisture levels. Increased humidity levels can also contribute to more severe allergies. Humidity enables mold growth and dust mites. Installing a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels in check and your indoor air quality much better. 

H2: What is the Best Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

Generally, HEPA filters are the best if you or someone in your home deals with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, including dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the kind. This rating demonstrates how thoroughly a filter can remove pollutants from the air. Because of their high-efficiency filtration materials, HEPA filters are thick and can limit airflow. It’s wise to touch base with Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts to make sure your heating and cooling system can work properly with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Dirty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

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

It’s smart to replace your HVAC filter every 30-60 days, but here are some indications you could need to more frequently: 

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

• You find more dust in your home. 
• Heating and cooling costs are rising with no clear reason. 
• Your allergies are popping up more often. 
• Signs your air ducts could use cleaning include: 
• The metal is coated in dust. 

• Filthy 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 running. 
• Your home is frequently dusty, despite continuous cleaning. 

Your health and comfort are our first priority at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts. Whether it’s furnace repair today.