Asthma and allergic diseases affect more than 24 million people in the United States and over 6 million of these are children. When most people think of allergies, they think of hay fever, sneezing, coughing, and runny noses, but there are other allergies that many suffer from, including food allergies and eczema that, believe it or not, can be exacerbated by your HVAC system. By having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system, you can not only keep your system running at its absolute best, you can also save money, all while relieving allergy symptoms at the same time.

What’s In Your Indoor Air?

Many people who suffer from allergies don’t realize that their HVAC system plays a crucial role in the amount of indoor pollution and how it is spread throughout their home. In fact, indoor pollution levels can be as much as five times higher than outdoor pollution. Common allergens that can pollute your indoor air include:

• Pet Dander
• Mold
• Pollen
• Dust
• Dust Mites
• Insect Droppings

These particles can become airborne and end up in your heating and cooling system. Breathing them in can cause an allergic reaction such as coughing, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. Breathing in these particles can also trigger asthma attacks and make breathing difficult for children and the elderly. However, with regular maintenance completed on your HVAC system, you can help to lower indoor pollutants and relieve allergy symptoms and help to prevent future asthma attacks.

How Can Regular HVAC Maintenance Help Reduce Allergy Symptoms?

We’ve already established that indoor air pollutants contribute to allergies, allergic reactions, and asthma attacks. That being said, a helpful way to reduce allergy symptoms is to reduce the number of indoor pollutants and stop them from being spread around your home. This where regular HVAC maintenance can help. Below are some tips to keep your system running at its best and to keep your indoor air clean.

Check Your System Annually

By having your system checked every year, you can be sure it’s working at peak performance. A properly maintained HVAC system can lower the spread of mold and other allergens that may be lurking in your home, as well as save you money.

Change Your Filters

Clean air filters are crucial to lowering indoor pollutants and lowering allergy symptoms. Filters trap and hold dust and other debris and keep it from entering the rooms of your home. Old and dirty filters will not filter the air as they should due to build-up. Change them according to your manufacturer’s filter cleaning and maintenance instructions.

Keep Your Air Ducts Clean

Mold, dust, and other harmful particles can build up in your system’s ductwork. Have your ductwork inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure that these particles don’t end up being spread throughout your home when your HVAC system runs.

Upgrade Your System

By adding UV filters, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and air cleaners that will cover service in your entire home, you can greatly improve the quality of your indoor air. Talk to a professional to see if your system has any available upgrades.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality And Save Money On Service

Regular HVAC maintenance and service will not only reduce allergy symptoms, it will save you money as well. A well maintained HVAC system costs less to run and has less chance of needing sudden, expensive repairs. In addition, fewer allergy symptoms can lead to better overall health, potentially saving you and your family medical visits. Finally, regular maintenance can also increase the overall life of your HVAC system and prevent the need for replacement.

For more information about improving your indoor air quality, or to speak to a professional about your HVAC system’s performance, contact AirOne Heating and Air Conditioning Repair, located in San Marcos, TX.