When cold weather arrives, you might think that your allergy troubles are behind you. But that is not the case unless all of your issues are related to pollen. For everyone who battles dust allergies and problems with pet dander, the worst part of the year has just begun. In cold months, most people spend more time indoors. And this means that you need to take a few extra steps to be sure that you are minimizing your allergy triggers related to your home’s heating system. These few tips can help to reduce the allergens in your home and make this winter far more comfortable for you.
- Quality Air Filters- The best way to reduce dust, pet dander, and other allergens in your home is to install high-quality filters in your HVAC system. All air filters are rated on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV. Cheap disposable filters have a rating of 1-4 MERV. Filters with a 5-8 rating trap around 80% of all particles. The highest quality filters have a MERV rating of 11-13 and trap smaller particles such as bacteria and allergens. Filters should be changed at least every three months, but if you have pets in your home, replacing more often is a good idea.
- Clean Around Each Unit-Your HVAC system pulls air from outside your home and circulates it inside your home. Maintaining the area around all of your HVAC equipment important when you are trying to reduce the dust, particles, and allergens in your home. For units located outside your home, spraying them off with your garden hose is a great way to eliminate the dust and debris that lodged in the framework or that you cannot see. And an added bonus for you is that a clean, dust-free HVAC system will operate more efficiently and save you money on your utility bills.
- Dust Your Vents-Each time you clean, be sure to dust your HVAC vents and registers thoroughly. These areas are easy to forget. But are the spaces in your home that all of the circulated air comes in contact with. You should also remove the vents on a regular basis and wash them. Dust and particles can stick to the back side of the grate and not be removed when simply dusting the vent in place.
- Remove Furniture From Near Vents-Placing large pieces of furniture near vents and registers will not impede airflow. But it does create a place for dust, particles, and allergens to gather and then be dispersed through the air in your home when the blower turns on. Unless you dust these large items daily, the HVAC system in your home could be recirculating dust and allergens which will increase allergic reactions.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance- Your home’s HVAC system requires regular maintenance to operate at peak efficiency. A part of this maintenance is a professional cleaning of each unit. Think about the amount of dust that would accumulate in your home if you did not dust for an entire year. That is what is in each of your HVAC units each year. A professional inspection and cleaning will eliminate all of that dust and allergy-causing material and increase the function of your HVAC system.
Through the winter months, you will be spending a great deal of time inside your home. And the best way to reduce your allergies while in your home is to eliminate as much dust, dander, and other allergens as possible. Cleaning your vents and registers, installing new, high-quality air filters, and having your HVAC units cleaned regularly will significantly reduce annoying allergens and help to improve the function and energy-efficiency of your heating system. Call (318) 202-9144 to schedule an HVAC inspection for your home’s heating system, and know that the Gordon AC & Plumbing professional who comes to your home will provide you with helpful information and quality service at a reasonable price.
