How Your Furnace Can Worsen Your Allergies

Have you ever noticed when you start your heat for the first time in the fall, you’re sneezing more frequently? While spring allergies often 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 thanks to temps impairing our immune systems and from starting up our furnaces. This could leave you thinking, can furnaces make allergies worse in San Antonio, 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 turn our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now distributed through the ventilation and move within our houses. Luckily, there are things you can do to stop your furnace from worsening your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Worsening Your Allergies

1. Change Your HVAC Filter. Routinely replacing your filters is one of the best chores 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 healthier. 

2. Freshen Up Your Air Ducts. Not only do particulates gather 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. Proper HVAC maintenance and routine service are another excellent way to both boost your residence’s air quality and keep your furnace working as efficiently as possible. Before switching your heat on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC mechanic complete a maintenance inspection to ensure your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in excellent condition. 

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

Is Forced Air Bad for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are usually told that forced air heating might aggravate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can push allergens through the air, leading you to breathing them in more frequently than if you had a radiant heating system. While it’s correct forced air systems might make your allergies worse, 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 often. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to accumulate in your air ducts, your air system can’t transport them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some added cleaning ideas are: 

• Ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust before vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains periodically, as they are a frequent hiding place of allergens. 

• Make sure to clean behind and under furniture. 

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

H2: What is the Best 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 filter 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, including 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 important to contact Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air to ensure your heating and cooling system can run correctly with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Dusty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

Old filters can trap 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 around 30-60 days, but here are some indications you could need to sooner: 

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

• You find more dust in your residence. 
• Heating and cooling bills are increasing with no clear reason. 
• Your allergies are getting worse. 
• Clues your air ducts require cleaning include: 
• The metal is covered in dust. 

• Dirty 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 residence is often dusty, despite frequent cleaning. 

Your health and comfort are our greatest priority at Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air. Whether it’s furnace repair now.