How Your Furnace Can Spark Your Allergies

Have you ever noticed when you start your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re sneezing more than usual? While spring allergies seem to get a worse reputation, fall allergies are still very typical and many people struggle with them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring due to temps impairing our immune systems and from starting up our furnaces. This could leave you thinking, can furnaces make allergies worse in Fort Worth, or even cause them? 

While furnaces can’t lead to allergies, they could aggravate them. How? During the hotter months, dust, dander and other pollutants can build up in heating ducts. When the cold temps arrive and we switch our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now pushed out of the ductwork and circulate through our residences. Luckily, there are things you can do to stop your furnace from worsening your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Affecting Your Allergies

1. Change Your 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 ideal for trapping the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you breathing easy. 

2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do particulates harbor in your HVAC filters, but in your vents as well. An air duct cleaning may help ease allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system work more efficiently. When you request an air duct cleaning, repair techs review and clean components including your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers. 

3. Keep Your Furnace in Good Working Order. Quality HVAC maintenance and routine service are another excellent way to both boost your residence’s air quality and keep your furnace working as smoothly as possible. Before turning your heat on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC technician run through a maintenance inspection to confirm your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in excellent shape. 

Allergies and recurring illness can be annoying, and it can be tough to learn what’s creating or worsening them. Here are some common FAQs, including answers and suggestions that can help.  

Is Forced Air Harmful for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are usually told that forced air heating might irritate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can circulate allergens through the air, resulting in you breathing them in more frequently than if you used a radiant heating system. While it’s true forced air systems might make your allergies more severe, that is only if you ignore suitable maintenance of your furnace. Other than the things we listed previously, you can also: 

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

• Ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust before vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains routinely, as they are a typical collecto of allergens. 

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

• Watch your residence’s moisture levels. Increased humidity levels can also lead to more severe allergies. Humidity causes mold growth and dust mites. Adding a dehumidifier to your HVAC system keeps moisture levels under control and your indoor air quality much fresher. 

H2: What is the Top Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

In general, HEPA filters are ideal if you or someone in your family struggles with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, such as dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the type. This rating illustrates how thoroughly a filter can remove pollutants from the air. Due to their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are thick and can restrict airflow. It’s wise to contact Calverley Service Experts to ensure your heating and cooling system can run 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 circulate. This also applies to filthy vents. If you inhale these particles it can cause sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related issues, depending on your sensitivity. 

It’s beneficial to swap out your HVAC filter every 30-60 days, but here are some indications you might need to more frequently: 

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

• You find more dust in your residence. 
• Energy costs are increasing with no apparent reason. 
• Your allergies are getting worse. 
• Symptoms your air ducts require cleaning include: 
• The metal is covered in dust. 

• Filthy 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 starting. 
• Your residence is often dusty, despite frequent cleaning. 

Your health and comfort are our greatest priority at Calverley Service Experts. Whether it’s furnace repair now.