Using HVAC Maintenance to Prep Your Home for Allergy Season!

HVAC Preventative Maintenance vs. Allergies

As the weather begins to warm up, many people want to spend more time outside, enjoying the sunshine and fresh blooms. Unfortunately, pollen and other seasonal allergens force many to limit their time outside. Even then, the allergens can make their way indoors.

Luckily, as part of a regular HVAC preventative maintenance plan, there are a number of ways homeowners can eliminate (or at least limit) the number of allergens in the air, and improve their indoor air quality. This article will cover some important ways you can adjust your HVAC system to ensure you’re prepared for allergy season!

What Are Small Particle Filters?

The first line of defense in maintaining healthy indoor air quality is the air filter. As the HVAC system circulates air through the home or building, dust and other allergens are picked up and moved along with it.

Air filters can trap these particles, removing them from the air, and improving the air quality. The smaller the size of the dust particles (or fine particulate matter, PM) that a filter is able to capture, the better.

This means that it will be able to capture and eliminate more particles from the air, which means improved health and air quality for everybody breathing it.

What Are HEPA Filters?

Taking it one step further, HEPA filters are able to capture the most evasive of particles polluting the air, including those from pollen, cigarette smoke, and pet dander.

HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air.” They use an advanced pattern of glass fibers to capture the particles and remove them from the air.

Originally designed for lab and factory settings, these air filters are now able to provide homeowners with incredibly clean indoor air. It is important to note that even with the best air filters available, homeowners must remember to regularly change the filters to ensure the best air quality possible. Since air filters only capture the particles, rather than eliminate them entirely, the particles will eventually build up and clog the filter.

In order to effectively filter the air, filters must be replaced often--even HEPA filters. If an HVAC system is forced to run with a dirty air filter, not only will the air not actually be filtered, the HVAC system will not be able to run efficiently. Over time, this can lead to not only poor air quality but also potentially expensive HVAC repairs.

The Importance of Vent Cleaning

As air moves through the HVAC system and vents, dust collects. Using a high-quality air filter will greatly decrease the rate at which the dust accumulates, but even a HEPA filter only captures 99.9% of the particles it targets--that means that over time, that remaining .1% accumulates in the vents.

Dirty vents can cause the HVAC system to have to work harder--wasting electricity and lowering its ability to properly filter the air. Alternately, clean home ventilation allows filtered air to flow quickly and freely. It also prevents the air from picking up the old dust particles and reintroducing them to the filter cycle.

Regularly scheduling vent cleanings with an HVAC professional is the best way to keep the system running efficiently, and guarantee the cleanest air quality possible--even during allergy season!

About Anderson Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Being comfortable indoors during all seasons is important, and Anderson Heating, Cooling & Plumbing understands that. Offering HVAC services that range from installation to preventative maintenance and filter replacements, they have been helping Mentor, OH, residents stay comfortable for almost 40 years.

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