If you have asthma or allergies, indoor air quality is important—especially in spring. You don’t want the air inside your home to aggravate or trigger your symptoms. But few people realize the air pollution inside their home can be two to five times higher than outside. This is because your heating and air conditioning can harbor airborne pollutants and recycle it throughout your home. This causes coughing, sneezing, itching, and runny noses.
Common Indoor Allergens
Here are a few things that exacerbate your allergies:
- Mold
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Cockroach droppings
HVAC Tips to Improve Air
These are some things you can do to improve the air quality in your home:
- High Quality Air Filters
The air filters are typically your first line of defense against pollutants circulating your home. A dirty filter not only stops trapping debris, but can also make the entire system less efficient. You need to replace the filters every three months during regular use and check them monthly during peak allergy season. Beyond using the right size furnace filter, you also want to choose high quality products. Look for air filters with at least a MERV 8 rating. These will help trap even more microscopic particles to reduce dust and pollen. - Dust Your Registers and Return Vents
When dusting, many homeowners forget to clean their vents and registers. These areas are responsible for circulating all the air in your home. If they are dusty, the rest of your home follows suit. So every week, use a damp cleaning rag to wipe the registers and returns. This will keep them from kicking up dust and reducing particles that can contribute to allergies. And if you have a recycle switch on your unit, try using that during allergy season. This will recirculate indoor air instead of pulling it in from outside. - Inspect for Mold
Humid, wet environments are perfect for mold growth. Every few weeks, look at ducts, drains, condensate drip pans, and evaporator coils for signs of mold. If left unchecked, mold spores not only contribute to allergies, but can cause sickness or even death. For small amounts of mold, you can remove it and clean the area yourself. For larger amounts, call a professional. You should also consider running the fans for 30 minutes after the cooling switches off to help dry the ducts. - Schedule Heating and Air Conditioning Maintenance
Spring is one of the best times to call for HVAC maintenance in San Jose, CA. These routine cleanings and repairs will help cut down on indoor allergens and prolong the life of your entire system. For honest and reliable HVAC repair, call the professionals at Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning. We are located at 1045 N 10th St San Jose, CA 95112. Our technicians take great pride in their work and will give you the best service from start to finish, no matter what you need. Call (669) 219-8957 to set up your appointment today.
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