Have you ever caught when you run your heating for the first time in the fall, you’re wheezing more often? While spring allergies often get a worse reputation, fall allergies are still very prominent and many people are affected by them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring due to temps affecting our immune systems and from starting up our equipment. This could leave you wondering, can furnaces make allergies worse in the U.S., or even trigger them?
While furnaces can’t cause allergies, they sometimes make them worse. How? During the warmer months, dust, dander and other pollutants can build up in heating ducts. When the colder temperatures arrive and we flip our heat on for the first time, all those allergens are now pushed out of the ventilation and move throughout our houses. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep your furnace from worsening your allergies.
Allergies and recurring illness can be discouraging, and it can be tough to learn what’s causing or triggering them. Here are some additional FAQs, along with answers and tips that could help.
Allergy sufferers are often told that forced air heating might affect your allergies even more. Forced air systems can circulate allergens through the air, causing you to breathe them in more regularly than if you owned a radiant heating system. While it’s true forced air systems can make your allergies more severe, that is only if you ignore proper care of your furnace. Other than the practices we mentioned previously, you can also:
H2: What is the Ideal Furnace Filter for Allergies?
Generally, HEPA filters are ideal if you or someone in your family deals with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to remove 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, like dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the kind. This rating illustrates how well a filter can clean pollutants from the air. Because of their high-efficiency filtration performance, HEPA filters are dense and can limit airflow. It’s helpful to talk to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to confirm your heating and cooling system can perform right with these high efficiency filters.
Old filters can trap particles and allow poor quality air to move throughout your home. This also applies to dusty air ducts. If you inhale these particles it can trigger sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related issues, depending on your sensitivity.
It’s recommended to swap out your HVAC filter after 30-60 days, but here are some indications you could need to more frequently:
Your health and comfort are our top priority at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Whether it’s furnace repair right away.
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