Before you know it, winter will be over, and spring will be here. And with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of spring allergies. With blossoming flowers and trees sprouting leaves again, the warmer weather is likely to bring pollen and mold back into full swing in Southern California. However, as anyone who suffers from allergies already knows, staying inside in the winter can expose you to other allergens. Dust mites and pet dander, for instance, often have a greater impact during the colder months, when most of us tend to spend more time in our houses.
During hotter or colder months, chances are you use your heater or air conditioner more frequently. Assuming this is the case, you may have noticed a tendency for your allergies to intensify while you are using your HVAC system. You are not alone in feeling this way. Many people actually complain that the more they use their AC unit or furnace, the worse their allergies get.
A lot of this has to do with indoor air quality. When the air in your house is stale or filled with various pollutants, your air conditioner or heater may actually make things worse by redistributing that air in an attempt to make you cooler/provide you warmth. Keep reading to learn how this may be happening in your home, and what you can do to make sure your HVAC system is not affecting your allergies.
Factors that May Cause Your Heater or AC to Impact Your Allergies
- Old Filters: If your filters are old and worn out, they can’t properly stop the allergens in your home from spreading, causing you to sneeze, cough, or even have trouble breathing. Consider swapping out your old air filters for nigh-quality new ones. It’s also a good idea to check your filters every three months or so, just to make sure they are in good condition. An experienced HVAC technician can help you with this.
- Equipment Filled with Dirt and Debris: It probably won’t surprise you to know that HVAC units located outdoors or in isolated corners of your home are more likely to collect dirt and debris overtime. Make sure your equipment is cleaned regularly to prevent irritants from entering your system and becoming airborne. A professional technician will also be able to assist in a thorough cleaning.
- Vents That Are Dusty: Even if your equipment is clean, there’s a good chance your vents are not. Dust your home regularly, making sure to pay particular attention to all vents if you have allergy issues.
- Mold: As mentioned above, mold is one of the worst things for allergies. Given that mold thrives on moisture and humidity, the combination of hot weather and cool air, or even in some cases, cold weather and hot air, could be just the thing to create the perfect climate for it to grow in. The more you use your HVAC system, the more you should monitor drains, evaporator coils, drip pans, air handlers, and air ducts to see if mold has started growing in your home. You may also want to hire a technician for duct cleaning and coil service if you discover this problem.
Hire the Pros at All Pro
The other precaution you should take to ensure your HVAC system is not having a negative effect on your allergies is to hire professional service from All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical. Our team will be able to advise you on the best ways top get the most out of your heating and cooling equipment, and offer installations and repairs designed to improve your system and help ease your allergies. For San Bernardino HVAC experts that care about you, your system, and your allergies, hire All Pro today.
We are available by phone at (909) 500-8193, or you can contact us online with any questions 24/7.
