Spring Allergies and HVAC Maintenance
Spring is upon us … flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is getting green and soon everything will be covered in pollen. For the estimated 50 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring can be a miserable time of the year. Spring HVAC maintenance can drastically reduce the amount of allergens in your home and keep new allergens from entering your home.
If you or a family member suffers from hay fever, sneezing, itchy eyes and other symptoms of seasonal allergies, below are several tips that can help you breathe easier.
As you start your spring cleaning list, be sure to dust the registers and return vents of your HVAC system first. Use a damp cloth to prevent adding more dust particles into the air that eventually get circulated through your ductwork.
Install a high quality air filter and change it regularly. Filters are your main line of defense for indoor air quality. The level of filter particle filtration is measured by MERVs (minimum efficiency reporting value), with a rating of 20 being the highest. We recommend a filter with a MERV rating of 8 or higher to ensure it is trapping small dust and allergen particles.
Check your outdoor unit and clear away any dust and debris from your unit. This unit pulls air from the outside into your home. If there is any debris it will be circulated throughout your home. For added cleanliness, vacuum or sweep the area around your indoor unit.
Schedule an appointment for the annual cleaning of your air conditioning system. This will ensure your system is operating properly and at peak efficiency.
Consider installing a whole-home product to improve the air quality throughout your home. Our team can recommend air cleaners, humidifiers and UV lights that are designed to work with your new or existing HVAC system to efficiently ventilate and minimize sources of indoor pollutants in your home. Air cleaners filter out 98% of pollutants and also ensure your system works at peak efficiency all year long. Humidifiers replenish moisture throughout the home to make it more comfortable by reducing static electricity and reduce problems caused by dry air including dry nose, itchy eyes and sore throats. They also provide energy savings due to lower indoor temperatures. To kill and reduce airborne germs, bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi, consider having UV lights installed.
If you have any questions related to your air conditioning system, contact our service department or ask a question on our Facebook page.