Nothing can sour your love of spring and warmer weather faster than unbearable allergies, especially when they follow you into your own home! Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can fight back against these allergies. To help you survive this spring season, the experts at Morrow Mechanical are here to tell you how to conquer spring allergies with your HVAC system.
Preventative HVAC Maintenance
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Clean Your System’s Cooling Coils
Considering the fact that all the air coming into your home through your AC unit passes over a coil, a dirty coil can really affect your air quality. Air that has passed over a dirty coil can further inflate spring allergies and lead to mold and mildew growth. Furthermore, dirty coils in your AC unit can cause clogs that force your unit to work twice as hard. Keep your family unit and your AC unit safe from the havoc these allergens can wreak by keeping your cooling coils clean!
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Keep Your Blower Motor Clean
Like dirty coils, a dirty blower motor can cause your AC system to work overtime to blow air through your ducts and vents. As a result, your filter will not be able to perform as efficiently in removing allergens, toxins, and pollutants from your indoor air. Therefore, you should make sure your blower motor is thoroughly cleaned to prepare for anything spring throws your way.
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Empty and Clean Your Drain Pans
Another overlooked part of your HVAC system is your drip pan. Because your AC unit produces condensation when humid air meets the frigid evaporator coil, a drip pan is a necessity. That being said, a continuously wet and dirty drop pan is an oasis for mold and mildew. Therefore, you should have your drain pans cleaned during your annual HVAC tune-up to keep these dangers at bay.
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Change Your Filters
In addition to cleaning your HVAC system, you should change your filters regularly. Because your filters are the main line of defense against springtime allergens and other airborne pollutants, you should change them every 2-3 months to maximize their efficiency.
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Have a Professional Inspect and Clean Your Ducts
Because your duct system is the highway through which all your conditioned air travels, it’s important to keep it clean and in good repair. As a part of your annual spring tune-up, have your HVAC technician clean your ducts. Also, have your technician perform a thorough inspection of your ductwork to stay ahead of any necessary repairs or replacements that need to happen before hot weather kicks in.
Invest in Cleaner Air
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Upgrade to HEPA Filters
Did you know that your standard HVAC filters are more for protecting your AC unit and furnace from large dirt and debris rather than protecting your air? As a solution to this problem, one of the best investments you can make to improve your home’s air quality is in a high-energy particulate air (HEPA) filter. As the best HVAC filters on the market, HEPA filters trap more than 99% of pollen, dust, and smoke before they can enter your home.
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Invest in a Portable HEPA Air Purifier
Because of the worsening problem of indoor pollution, air purifiers are becoming an essential household feature. There are many portable purifiers on the market that can be found online, making this an easy solution to invest in for better indoor air. We recommend purchasing air purifiers with HEPA filters for the most effective removal of allergens.
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Install a Whole-Home Air Purification System
If you are ready to make a larger investment in your home’s air quality, consider installing a whole-home air purifier. While there are many options to choose from, consulting with an HVAC professional is the best way to figure out which system will be the best choice for your home.
Lend a Hand to Your HVAC System
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Keep Doors and Windows Closed
Although it may be tempting to let in a refreshing springtime breeze, your sinuses will suffer the consequences. In addition to your sinuses, your HVAC system will also suffer. Do both of them a favor by keeping your doors and windows closed during allergy season. This will not only help reduce the amount of pollen brought into your home, but it will keep other pollutants, dust, and dirt away, too.
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Leave Your Shoes at the Door
Another way to keep unwanted allergens, dust, and dirt out of your home and out of your HVAC ventilation and filters is by leaving your shoes at the door. A great deal of outdoor pollutants can be brought into your home from your shoes and clothing. Therefore, a no-shoes home is likelier to have cleaner air.
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Clean Your House
This tip does not only apply to cleaning your indoor space but also to maintaining the outside of your home. Rake up leaves and keep your garage, patio, and deck clean from pollen, lawn clippings, dirt, dust, and other debris.
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Use the Best Cleaning Methods
While we are on the subject of keeping a clean home, we recommend removing dirt, dust, and pollen from surfaces in your home with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. Furthermore, dusting should be done with a damp cloth to avoid sending pollen spores into the air.
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Ditch Your Ion-Based Air Purifiers
If you already have air purifiers in your home that are ion-based, it’s time to trade them in for a more efficient system! While ion-based air purifiers can remove pollen, they create ozone that can exacerbate your allergy symptoms. Instead, opt for a cleaner HEPA purifier.
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Wash Your Bedding Regularly
Because you may not always be a nighttime showerer, this is an important tip to remember. Just as your car can become covered with pollen in a matter of hours, your hair and clothing can also accrue a lot of the stuff throughout the day. Sometimes, bringing that pollen into our bed is inevitable. Therefore, regularly washing your bedding during springtime is a good way to reduce the amount of pollen in your home’s air.
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Keep Your Pets Well-Groomed
Like your own hair, your pet’s fur can carry a disturbing amount of pollen and other particles into your home from the outdoors. To keep this problem at bay, you should regularly bathe and brush your pets.
Are You Ready to Conquer Spring Allergies with Your HVAC System?
Allow the team at Morrow Mechanical to join in the fight! Our skilled and experienced HVAC technicians are dedicated to helping homeowners like you find the best solutions for any of your HVAC needs. Call us today or visit our website to tackle spring allergies like a pro!