How Your Furnace Can Worsen Your Allergies

Have you ever felt when you start your heat for the first time in the fall, you’re sniffling more frequently? While spring allergies seem to get a harsher 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 weather weakening our immune systems and from winding up our equipment. This may leave you considering, can furnaces make allergies worse in Fort Lauderdale, or even cause them? 

While furnaces can’t cause allergies, they could intensify them. How? During the hotter months, dust, dander and other debris can collect in heating ducts. When the colder temperatures arrive and we turn our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now pushed out of the ductwork and travel within our homes. 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. Get a New HVAC Filter. Frequently replacing your filters is one of the best tasks you can do to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. Fresh filters are superior when snagging the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you healthier. 

2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do particulates harbor in your HVAC filters, but in your ventilation as well. An air duct cleaning can help ease allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system run more efficiently. When you schedule an air duct cleaning, technicians survey and clean components including your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers. 

3. Keep Your Furnace Well Maintained. Proper HVAC maintenance and periodic service are another easy way to both enhance your house’s air quality and keep your heating performing as effectively as possible. In advance of switching your furnace on for the first time, it tends to help to have an HVAC tech complete a maintenance examination to verify your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in great working order. 

Allergies and frequent illness can be discouraging, and it can be hard to figure out what’s causing or worsening them. Here are some extra FAQs, complete with answers and tips that might help.  

Is Forced Air Bad for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are usually told that forced air heating could aggravate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can circulate allergens through the air, resulting in you breathing them in more frequently than if you had a radiant heating system. While it’s true forced air systems can make your allergies not so good, that is only if you ignore proper upkeep of your system. Other than the tasks we included already, you can also: 

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

• Ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust prior to vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains periodically, as they are a typical harbor of allergens. 

• Make sure to clean behind and under furniture. 

• Check your residence’s moisture levels. Higher humidity levels can also result in aggravating your allergies. Humidity supports mold growth and dust mites. Installing a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels in check and your indoor air quality much healthier. 

What is the Top Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

Most often, HEPA filters are a strong option if you or someone in your home struggles with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, like 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 clean pollutants from the air. Due to their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are dense and can reduce airflow. It’s important to touch base with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to ensure your heating and cooling system can run right with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Clogged Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

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

It’s recommended to switch out your HVAC filter around 30-60 days, but here are some signals you may need to sooner: 

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

• You find more dust in your home. 
• Utility costs are going up with no obvious reason. 
• Your allergies are getting worse. 
• Symptoms your air ducts need cleaning include: 
• The metal is covered in dust. 

• Dusty 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 always dusty, despite frequent cleaning. 

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