HVAC Maintenance That Improves The Air Quality In Your Home

If you struggle with allergies, then it's important to improve the air quality in your home as best you can. You can't do anything to control the quality of outdoor air or the environment at work, but you can turn your home into an allergen-free oasis where you can escape your allergy triggers. One place to start is with your HVAC system since it blows air throughout your house and has a direct effect on air quality. Here are some HVAC tips for improving indoor air quality.

Start With The Filter

The filter keeps dust and other fine particulates from entering the HVAC system and circulating throughout your house. When the filter is clogged, it can't do its job and it puts strain on your HVAC. Change or clean the filter often so dust doesn't have a chance to accumulate on it and blow through your home.

You may also want to upgrade your filter to one that's capable of removing more allergens. Pleated filters are usually a good choice, but you always want to check the owner's manual for your HVAC or talk to an HVAC technician before you change the type of filter you use. Some filters designed to remove allergens may restrict airflow so much that it could harm your furnace, so it's important to choose a filter approved by the HVAC manufacturer.

Fix Problems With Mold

Mildew odors and mold growth are signs of problems with your HVAC, so you don't want to ignore them. One common cause of this problem is when the drain line to the outside becomes clogged and the drain pan overflows. Your air conditioner creates condensation when it operates, and this moisture normally drips into a pan and flows outside of the house.

When the line clogs, water will spill onto the floor and cause problems with water damage and mold if it isn't caught and dried out in time. When you see water around your HVAC or smell mildew near it, call an HVAC technician to repair the problem to keep mold spores out of the air that could trigger your allergy symptoms.

Keep The HVAC Free From Dust

Controlling dust is important when you have allergies to dust mites. In addition to changing the filter often, you can keep down dust in the HVAC by cleaning the registers or vents frequently so dust doesn't accumulate on them. You might even use the wand on your vacuum to clean out the ducts, but you'll need to hire a professional to give the ducts a thorough cleaning. If you notice a lot of dust on the vents, it might be time to have your ducts cleaned.

You can use the crevice tool and vacuum around the HVAC, but it's also necessary to deep clean the furnace and air conditioner each year. Hire an HVAC technician to clean the furnace before winter and the air conditioner before summer. This ensures there are no dirt, dust, or particulates built up inside the units that could contaminate the air inside your home.

These steps reduce the amount of air and other particulates that could bother your allergies every time the HVAC kicks on. As an added bonus, keeping your HVAC clean also helps it operate more efficiently and helps prevent breakdowns.