HVAC Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Allergy Season
Allergy Season Is Here! Use These HVAC Maintenance Tips to Prepare for It
There are so many great things about Spring like the warmer weather and delicious outdoor BBQs that come along with the new season. Some would say that their favorite part about Spring is seeing the trees start to grow their leaves once again and seeing the flowers start to bloom. But for those with allergies, the latter can turn into a true nightmare.
Even if that person doesn’t spend much time outdoors, pollen and dust can start to seep into the house. If the HVAC system isn’t maintained, it can cause allergies to act up. To help minimize the effects of seasonal allergies, here are a few tips homeowners can use to keep allergens out of the house.
Use Small Particle Filters
Small particle filters have the same responsibility as any other filter: to collect dirt, dust, pollen, and other debris. The difference is that small particle filters have a much finer structure, so they can catch and trap smaller debris.
This is ideal for those who are commonly susceptible to Spring allergies. Pollen particles, dust particles, and other common allergen particles are tiny. Some can be seen floating through the air when the particles catch the light.
But the majority of the particles can’t be seen; they’re microscopic. Small particle filters can easily capture these rather than letting them pass through the holes of the filter and circulating the home through the rest of the home ventilation system.
Install HEPA Filters for Even Smaller Particles
A HEPA filter is even finer than a standard small particle filter. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particle air. These filters can trap 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns. But how small is a micron? A micron is a millionth of a meter, about 0.00004 inches. However, even these numbers can be hard to gauge how small of particles a HEPA air filter can catch.
To put things in perspective, the average red blood cell is about 5 microns across. And this type of filter can capture particles that are 0.3 microns, so there’s hardly anything that can make it through this filter! Therefore, this type of filter is optimal for those that suffer from Spring allergies.
Even the smallest amount of pollen can set off a storm of sneezing and itchy eyes. But if a filter can trap essentially all of the pollen particles that enter the home, there will be no more suffering for that lucky individual!
Don’t Forget to Clean the Vents
Clean vents are the key to avoiding allergy season. If vents are just left to sit for months or years at a time, they’ll start to get dirty. Like… really dirty. This is true for most things. If a dirty dinner plate with pieces of food were left on the kitchen counter for months, there would be some mold that started to grow on that plate.
When vents aren’t cleaned, the dust and debris that pass through them will start to build up causing the overall air quality to become dirty and people living in the home to become more susceptible to allergies. Make sure to have the vents cleaned regularly (at least once a year) by a professional to eliminate this buildup and prevent allergic reactions.
About Air Comfort Service, Inc.
Air Comfort Service Inc. is a professional HVAC company in St. Peters, MO. They offer trusted solutions for all indoor comfort needs. Whether homeowners are struggling with a broken air conditioning unit or need a furnace tune-up, their expert technicians will get the job done safely and at the highest level of quality.