As temperatures begin to drop and the air conditioning is turned off, it’s the perfect time to make sure your air conditioning installation is in good condition. A neglected system will not only function ineffectively but can also introduce allergens into the air. Pollen, dust, pest waste, and other contaminants can settle in your unused heating system during the summer months and then be circulated throughout your home when you finally crank up the heat. This is why investing in professional furnace maintenance is essential. A well-maintained HVAC system will operate at its full capacity, saving you heating costs, and will also help reduce allergen concentrations in your home. Regular maintenance conducted by a local hvac company ensures a healthier indoor environment and enhances your system’s efficiency, making it a win-win for both comfort and air quality. As fall approaches, be sure to hire a heating service contractor to clean and service your heating system. Professional HVAC services can help you maintain a clean and efficient HVAC system. Here are several measures you can take to ensure your HVAC system works with you to reduce your exposure to allergens.

Have Your Ducts Cleaned to Eliminate Hidden Allergens

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that if not correctly installed, maintained, or if any needed air conditioning repair is postponed for too long, HVAC components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen, or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased, and spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in individuals who are exposed to them. Make sure to hire an air conditioning service company to keep your home cool and comfortable during the hot summer months.

The EPA goes on to state the importance of having your duct system professionally examined. While they do not recommend routine duct cleaning without evidence of accumulated debris, there are circumstances in which you should consider having your ducts serviced. These include:

• Substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface ducts or other components of your system. Wet or moldy insulation on insulated air ducts cannot be effectively cleaned and should be replaced. Note that not everything that appears to be mold is actually mold, and you may need to have samples professionally evaluated at a laboratory. Also, ensure you address the conditions that caused the mold growth in the first place; otherwise, the problem will recur.
• Pests living inside ducts. Insects living inside air ducts can deposit unhealthy debris that may circulate throughout your system.

• Ducts clogged with excessive dust or debris that is released into the home through supply registers.

Replace Furnace Filters Regularly

A dirty furnace filter poses several problems: it prevents your heating system from running effectively, thereby increasing heating costs; it reduces the system’s efficiency in achieving and maintaining your desired temperature; and it hinders the capture of particulate debris and allergens that the filter is designed to remove.

With normal use, furnace filters should be replaced at least every three months. Keep in mind, however, that in conditions where indoor air quality may be particularly compromised, such as during pollen season, during a home remodeling project, or if a smoker lives in the house, filters may need to be replaced more frequently. We offer several types of furnace filters specifically selected for allergy sufferers. Filtrete’s line of filters, with their superior performance ratings, offers excellent protection from indoor allergens. Choose from Filtrete’s most economical filter, the Micro Allergen Furnace Filter, the Ultra Allergen Reduction Furnace Filter, or the most effective, Advanced Allergen Furnace Filter.

SafeHome Furnace Filters, available as either the SafeHome Duo Furnace Filter or the SafeHome System Air Return Filter, perform double duty: they not only capture particles such as dust mite allergen and pollen, but also absorb harmful chemicals, such as VOCs and formaldehyde, that exacerbate symptoms in chemically sensitive individuals.

Another cost-effective and system-enhancing furnace filter option is a permanent filter, such as Newtron’s Contractor’s Choice Permanent Filter or the Newtron Original Permanent Air Filter. Both these filters help to maintain even temperatures throughout the home, enable faster heating and cooling, and prolong the life of your HVAC system. Furthermore, they capture 96% of allergen particles before they circulate through your home.

For additional information, see our Furnace Filter Buying Guide.

Supplement a Clean Indoor Air Routine with Vent and Window Filters

Vent filters fit easily into your vents and provide additional protection against dust and other particles that could make their way into your home. Self-charging electrostatic material traps allergens, acting as a last line of defense before offending particles make their way into your indoor air.

window filters protect against pollen and other pollutants that enter your home when you open the windows. This is a crucial step in the fall, when ragweed pollen is prevalent.

Taking the time to maintain your home’s HVAC system with the help of an AC repair technician, especially when it comes to properly using and replacing filters, goes a long way toward protecting your family from preventable allergy attacks. And be sure to check out our other blog pages for more tips and tricks on how to stay healthy all season long!