How to Deal with Spring Allergies with Your HVAC System

Spring is a beautiful season — the colors, the warmer climate — but it’s also a prime time of year for seasonal allergies. As plants let go of pollen, countless people with hay fever start to feel the symptoms of allergies.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 26 million Americans have asthma, and allergic asthma is the most common type, affecting around 60 percent of people with asthma. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for springtime allergies, but you can take steps to get rid of allergens at home.

During this season, trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen into the air indiscriminately to fertilize other plants. When pollen gets into the nose of a person with an allergy, they confuse the body’s natural defense system.

According to experts, the immune system sees pollen as a danger and releases antibodies that attack the allergens. This process results in the release of chemicals called “histamines” into the blood, which triggers the runny nose and other symptoms associated with allergies.

Thankfully, your HVAC system can help you deal with allergies and clean the air that circulates throughout your home. You can reduce common symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath by improving your home’s indoor air quality.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted HVAC company in Centerville MN. We can provide you with effective ways of eliminating allergy triggers in your home. Here are some tips follow to reduce allergens.

Invest in High-Efficiency Filters

Every HVAC system is equipped with an air filter, but not all filtration systems have the same level of efficiency. Air filters are measured according to their minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV), which uses a scale from 1 to 16. Anything higher than 16 is considered a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The higher the MERV rating, the more contaminants a filter can capture. Some filters may even collect certain viruses, in addition to bacteria, mold spores, and cigarette smoke. These filters also reduce allergens and respiratory irritants.

HEPA filters remove no less than 99.97 percent of particles 0.3 microns or larger from your indoor air. The Department of Energy sets and enforces this gold standard for allergen and airborne particle removal.

HEPA filters help you get rid of allergens and breathe cleaner air that will allow your lungs and other organs to work better, usually leading to better oxygen absorption by your brain.

Invest in a Whole-Home Air Purification System

For best results, install a whole-home air purification system packed with a HEPA filter in your home. This device will effectively capture allergens and help your furnace or air conditioner run at peak performance.

The Lennox PureAir™ Air Purification System effectively removes 99.9% of all particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander, removes 90% of viruses such as MERS A, flu, and cold. It eliminates and destroys approximately 50% of household odors and chemical vapors in 24 hours. This air purifier is one of the best solutions available on the market today.

Keep Your Ducts Clean

Your duct network is another source of allergens in your home. The ventilation system and ductwork usually run through the attic, basements, and crawlspaces. If your ducts are relatively old, damaged, leaking, or are in any way faulty, they can suck in air from these areas. Your furnace or air conditioner then pumps the air directly into your living spaces, further spreading allergens that are normally found in the filthiest parts of your home. To solve this problem, you will need to clean your ducts.

Duct cleaning and maintenance is something you should entrust only to an HVAC professional because it requires special tools and equipment to accomplish this task. If you suspect issues within your ductwork, have a qualified technician inspect and seal them off. Not only does sealing those leaks prevent polluted air from being drawn by your furnace or air conditioner, but it also improves your system’s energy-efficiency.

Ask the Indoor Air Quality Pros

Do you need help protecting your home against airborne allergens? Call Four Seasons Air Specialists. We have an array of air purification systems, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and HEPA filters that can significantly improve your home’s indoor air quality. We can provide you with a long-term solution for your allergy concerns at home. We are your reliable Lino Lakes heating and air conditioning company.