How Your Furnace Can Spark Your Allergies

Have you ever felt when you turn on your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re wheezing more frequently? While spring allergies usually get a more severe reputation, fall allergies are still very typical and many people struggle with them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring brisk temps impairing our immune systems and from cranking up our equipment. This can leave you wondering, can furnaces make allergies worse in Winnipeg, or even lead to them? 

While furnaces can’t create allergies, they could make them worse. How? During the warmer months, dust, dander and other debris can collect in heating ducts. When the cooler conditions start and we switch our heating on for the first time, all those allergens are now distributed through the ductwork and travel through our homes. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent your furnace from worsening your allergies. 

How to Keep Your Furnace from Worsening Your Allergies

1. Replace Your HVAC Filter. Routinely replacing your filters is one of the best things you can complete to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. New filters are ideal for trapping the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you healthier. 

2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do small particles gather in your HVAC filters, but in your ventilation as well. An air duct cleaning could help ease allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system run more efficiently. When you call for an air duct cleaning, repair techs review and clean components like your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers. 

3. Keep Your Furnace in Good Working Order. Adequate HVAC maintenance and periodic checkups are another easy way to both enhance your residence’s air quality and keep your system working as efficiently as possible. Prior to flipping your heat on for the first time, it could help to have an HVAC technician run through a maintenance examination to confirm your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in great condition. 

Allergies and recurring illness can be discouraging, and it can be tough to discover what’s causing or aggravating them. Here are some extra FAQs, along with answers and ideas that could help.  

Is Forced Air Harmful for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are often told that forced air heating may aggravate your allergies even more. Forced air systems can circulate allergens through the air, resulting in you breathing them in more often than if you owned a radiant heating system. While it’s accurate forced air systems can make your allergies worse, that is only if you avoid suitable maintenance of your furnace. Other than the things we listed previously, you can also: 

• Dust and vacuum your residence frequently. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to collect in your air ducts, your air system can’t circulate them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some added cleaning tips involve: 

• Check your vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
• Dust ahead of vacuuming. 
• Clean your curtains regularly, as they are a common harbor of allergens. 

• Don’t forget to clean behind and under furniture. 

• Check your home’s moisture levels. High humidity levels can also lead to worsening of allergies. Humidity causes mold growth and dust mites. Installing a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels under control and your indoor air quality much fresher. 

H2: What is the Ideal Furnace Filter for Allergies? 

Generally, HEPA filters are ideal if you or someone in your family struggles with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, like dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the type. This rating demonstrates how well a filter can remove pollutants from the air. As a result of their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are dense and can reduce airflow. It’s beneficial to contact Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to make sure your heating and cooling system can operate correctly with these high efficiency filters. 

Can Dusty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick? 

Old filters can trap particles and allow poor quality air to circulate. This also applies to dirty air ducts. If you inhale these particles it can cause sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related issues, depending on your sensitivity. 

It’s beneficial to replace your HVAC filter around 30-60 days, but here are some signs you might need to sooner: 

• It’s taking longer for your system to cool or heat your house. 

• You discover more dust in your home. 
• Utility expenses are rising with no clear reason. 
• Your allergies are acting up. 
• Signs your air ducts could use cleaning include: 
• The metal is sitting in dust. 

• Dusty supply and return vents. 
• Mold in your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or air handler. 
• Dust flowing from your vents when your HVAC system is running. 
• Your home is frequently dusty, despite frequent cleaning. 

Your health and comfort are our highest priority at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts. Whether it’s furnace repair now.