Allergies and Heating and Air: What You Should Know  

This year California received trillions of gallons of much-needed rain water after many years of drought, but with heavy rains comes a heavy increase in vegetation. This uptake in vegetation can become detrimental to those with allergies to grass, weeds, dust, and mold. With high levels of grass and weed pollen, downpours break pollen into smaller particles making it easier for it to spread. This leads to an increase in allergy and allergic asthma symptoms. There is only so much that can be done once you are out in the open air, such as masks and allergy medication, but what about the home? The homeowners’ strongest defense against allergens is their HVAC system.  

What Your Heating and Air Conditioning System Can Do to Benefit You  

Your home’s Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is responsible for filtering out potential allergens in the air that enter your home, but like any machine, it is only as effective as the quality of its parts. It is vital that the HVAC system is equipped with high-quality filters that are replaced at least every 3 months. The higher the quality of the filter the more effective it will be at capturing small particles in the air. When looking for the right filter for your system make sure to pay attention to the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV. MERVs measure the level of particle filtration, with 20 being the highest. During allergy season it is best to choose a filter with a rating of 8 to capture small pollen particles.  

Acquiring and maintaining your filters are only part of the job, your air conditioner will help with keeping your household humidity at a proper level to avoid mold buildup. Allergens thrive in humid environments therefore it is important for your AC systems ductwork to be properly maintained year-round.  

Schedule a Heating and Air Conditioning Maintenance Appointment for Regular Routine upkeep 

Routine maintenance checks on your HVAC system are essential to keep your system running as efficiently as possible so that it’s ready for allergy season. Many expensive repairs on your HVAC start with small overlooked malfunctions that develop into costly repairs over time. Maintaining your HVAC system lowers your danger of breathing-related illnesses while preserving the quality of the air throughout your home. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system by professionals can save you time and money in the future.