How Your HVAC System Can Help Alleviate Allergies
Allergies are one of those unwelcome challenges that you deal with during the change of seasons. Here in Ocean City, NJ, we deal with allergies just like the rest of the Northeast .. There are a lot of things to love about the fall, but the itchy eyes and sneezing isn’t one of them.
You can take allergy medicine, but there are also some other things you can do with your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system that can also play a crucial role in alleviating allergies. This could be very helpful for homes of people with breathing issues, especially older people and children.
If you are looking for a little help getting your HVAC system cleaned up, and with improving the indoor air quality of your home, give us a call at (609) 390-3907, or contact us online. The experts at Broadley’s will be happy to help you out!
Changing Your Air Filter
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce allergens in your home is by regularly changing the air filter in your HVAC system. The air filter in your HVAC system captures dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles that can trigger allergies. After so much time, this filter gets filled up and can be clogged with all this debris.
Why Change Your Air Filter Regularly?
Dirty filters can exacerbate allergies by allowing these allergens and airborne particles to circulate in your home. A clean filter traps allergens more effectively, keeping the air in your home cleaner and healthier to breathe. If you go months without changing it, it’s going to get clogged up, and stop working, but instead hurt your HVAC system AND indoor air quality.
When you change the air filter, it allows for the air to flow easier, and also remain cleaner with fewer airborne irritants floating around your home!
How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?
We recommend you change your air filter every 1-3 months. It depends on a few factors, like how your home is used, who lives in the house, and what kind of filters you use. If you have a home that is only used in the summer, you will likely have to change them less. If you live in your home year round, you’ll need to change them more. Pretty simple, but still something people forget to do!
Installing an Air Purification System
Another effective way to combat allergies is by installing an air purification system. These systems work in conjunction with your HVAC unit to remove airborne contaminants, providing an extra layer of protection against allergens.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers use various technologies, including HEPA filters, UV light, and activated carbon filters, to remove pollutants from the air. HEPA filters capture allergens, while UV light kills bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. Activated carbon filters are released into the air, and actively help eliminate odors and chemical pollutants, as opposed to the other methods that are more passive.
Benefits of Air Purification Systems
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: The number 1 benefit of an air purifier is that it makes tha air cleaner and healthier to breathe.
- Reduction of Allergens: By capturing dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, air purifiers can significantly reduce allergy symptoms. This means less coughing, sneezing and wheezing!
- Elimination of Odors and VOCs: Activated carbon filters remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and unpleasant odors. This is perfect for homes with pets, smokers, or homes you just want to have a crisp, clean smell in!
What’s great about installing an air purification system is that it plugs right into your HVAC system, and works 24/7 without you having to do a thing. On top of changing your air filter, this is a perfect way to keep the air in your home clean!
Scheduling Regular HVAC Service
Regular HVAC maintenance is the best way to get the most out of your HVAC system. When you schedule regular HVAC service, there’s more to it than a simple filter change. A technician will perform a cleaning of the entire system, including the ducts, coils, and vents. They will also inspect it to make sure there are no broken parts, leaks, or other issues that may cause problems with your HVAC system.
Importance of Regular Maintenance For Indoor Air Quality
- Preventing Mold Growth: Mold can grow in the damp areas of your HVAC system, especially around the coils and in the ducts. Regular cleaning helps prevent mold growing and sending spores through the air.
- Improving System Efficiency: A well-maintained HVAC system runs more efficiently, reducing the amount of energy you use to run your HVAC system. This maintained system is also going to be cleaner, reducing the amount of allergens that will be circulating in the air.
- Changing Your Air Filter: During a regular service, your HVAC technician will change the air filter and ensure your system is pumping out clean and healthy air!
How Often Should You Service Your HVAC System?
We recommend that you have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year. If you use a heat pump year round, you may want to consider twice a year, once before the winter and once before the summer. Annual HVAC maintenance will help you extend the life of your HVAC system and keep energy bills down, among many other things.
The Broadley’s Family Comfort Plan
Installing Humidity Control
Humidity plays a significant role in allergy management. Too much humidity can create an environment where mold, dust mites, and bacteria thrive, while too little humidity can dry out nasal passages, making it harder to breathe comfortably.
By installing humidifiers and dehumidifiers, you can regulate your humidity levels and keep your home in between 30-50% relative humidity, right where it should be. At a spot like the Jersey shore, moisture and humidity play a big role in our comfort and air quality.
How Humidity Affects Allergies
- High Humidity: Excess moisture in the air promotes the growth of mold and dust mites, two common allergens that can aggravate respiratory problems. It also provides that hot and sticky feeling you experience in the summer.
- Low Humidity: Air that is too dry can irritate the respiratory tract, making it easier for allergens to trigger symptoms. This also leads to nose bleeds and dry skin.
How to Control Humidity with Your HVAC System
- Dehumidifiers: These devices remove excess moisture from the air, making it less conducive for mold and dust mites. You can install a dehumidifier within your HVAC system and ductwork, or you could use a standalone system to treat different spaces.
- Humidifiers: During the winter when your home’s air is too dry, a humidifier can add moisture. This creates a more comfortable environment that won’t dry out your home, and make breathing easier.
Benefits of Installing Humidity Control
- Balanced Indoor Environment: Having the humidity at the proper levels is going to make your home more comfortable, and it’s going to reduce the stress on your HVAC system. It’s also going to make the air in your home easier to breathe.
- Prevention of Mold Growth: By controlling humidity, you can reduce the risk of mold growing, which is a trigger for many allergy sufferers. It can also be VERY damaging to your home.
- Better For Furniture And Fixtures: Wooden furniture and fixtures, even instruments can get warped if they are in an environment with fluctuating temperatures and humidity. This humidity control can protect your furniture and instruments and keep them in good shape!
If you are interested in HVAC service for your system in Ocean City, NJ, or anywhere along the South Jersey Shore, give Broadley’s a call at (609) 390-3907, or contact us online! Our experts will be happy to help you get your home ready for the next season!