Your Furnace Could Be Making Your Allergies More Awful

Have you ever noticed when you run your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re wheezing more often? While spring allergies often get a harsher reputation, fall allergies are still very typical and many people are affected by them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring because of brisk temps affecting our immune systems and from cranking up our heating. This might leave you thinking, can furnaces make allergies worse in Winnipeg, or even cause them?

While furnaces can’t create allergies, they can make them worse. How? During the hotter months, dust, dander and other pollutants can collect in heating ducts. When the cooler temps start and we flip our heat on for the first time, all those allergens are now distributed through the ductwork and circulate within our residences. Thankfully, there are things you can do to stop your furnace from irritating your allergies.

How to Keep Your Furnace from Affecting Your Allergies

1. Change Your HVAC Filter. Regularly 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 snagging the allergens in your residence’s air, helping to keep you healthier.
2. Freshen Up Your Air Ducts. Not only do particulates harbor in your HVAC filters, but in your ductwork as well. An air duct cleaning can help reduce allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system run more efficiently. When you request an air duct cleaning, our experts survey and clean components such as your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers.
3. Keep Your Furnace in Good Working Condition. Quality HVAC maintenance and regular checkups are another great way to both improve your home’s air quality and keep your heater performing as efficiently as possible. Before switching your furnace on for the first time, it tends to help to have an HVAC tech complete a maintenance examination to verify your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in tip-top condition.

Allergies and frequent illness can be discouraging, and it can be difficult to pinpoint what’s causing or worsening them. Here are some common FAQs, complete with answers and tips that might help.

Is Forced Air Bad for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are frequently told that forced air heating can affect your allergies even more. Forced air systems can push allergens through the air, resulting in you breathing them in more often than if you owned a radiant heating system. While it’s correct forced air systems may make your allergies not so good, that is only if you put off suitable upkeep of your heating equipment. Other than the practices we mentioned already, you can also:

• Dust and vacuum your house regularly. 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 additional cleaning tips involve:
  • Check your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
  • Dust ahead of vacuuming.
  • Clean your curtains regularly, as they are a frequent collector of allergens.
  • Make sure to clean behind and under furniture.
• Watch your residence’s moisture levels. Higher humidity levels can also lead to aggravating your 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 better.

What is the Top Furnace Filter for Allergies?

Usually, HEPA filters are ideal if you or someone in your home deals with allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, such as dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the type. This rating demonstrates how successfully a filter can remove pollutants from the air. Because of their high-efficiency filtration materials, HEPA filters are dense and can limit airflow. It’s helpful to touch base with Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to confirm your heating and cooling system can work right with these high efficiency filters.

Can Dirty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick?

Worn filters can harbor particles and allow poor quality air to move throughout your home. This is also applicable for dirty ductwork. If you inhale these particles it can produce sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related issues, depending on your sensitivity.

It’s beneficial to swap out your HVAC filter around 30-60 days, but here are some indications you could need to sooner:

• It’s taking longer for your system to cool or heat your home.
• You find more dust in your home.
• Utility expenses are rising with no apparent reason.
• Your allergies are getting worse.

Signs your air ducts need cleaning include:

• The metal is covered in dust.
• Filthy supply and return vents.
• Mold in your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or air handler.
• Dust emitting from your vents when your HVAC system is starting.
• Your residence is always dusty, despite constant cleaning.

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