How Optimizing Your HVAC System Can Ease Asthma and Allergies

HVAC systems play a bigger role in alleviating asthma and allergy symptoms than you may think, as they reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality. In fact, Englewood, Florida, homeowners like you can invest in additional HVAC accessories that can boost your home’s air quality even more. If you’re hoping to optimize your HVAC system to alleviate asthma and allergies, there are many easy options.

Prevent Common Indoor Allergens

Indoor air pollution comes from a number of sources. The most common allergens found inside the home include pet dander, mold, dust mites, pollen, and cockroach droppings. Your HVAC system’s air filters are designed to trap the majority of these allergens when they become airborne, but they can still affect you causing you to experience allergic reactions or asthma attacks.

What’s more, your HVAC system can harbor mildew and mold, which can end up in your indoor air during the air conditioning cycles. That’s why annual maintenance is so crucial, especially for someone with asthma or allergies.

Start with Your Filter

Since the air filter is such a crucial player in reducing indoor allergens, you need to invest in a quality filter capable of trapping even the tiniest particles. An air filter’s effectiveness is measured using a MERV rating, or a minimum efficiency recording value. MERVs range from one to twenty, with the higher numbers offering the highest level of filtration.

When purchasing air filters, you need to go with a high-efficiency filter that helps alleviate allergy triggers. Most high-efficiency filters are rated from 14 to 16. This range is enough to remove small particles, but they’re still not as good as HEPA filters, which are rated between 17 and 20. HEPA filters, however, are typically not recommended for centralized HVAC systems unless the system has been updated or designed to use HEPA filters. That’s because the higher the air filter’s efficiency, the more stress it tends to put on the HVAC system. Consult your HVAC technician for help with selecting the right filter for your system.

Air Purifiers Pick up Where HVAC Systems Leaves Off

While centralized HVAC systems work best with medium to high-efficiency air filters, adding an air purifier with a HEPA filter is the smartest option for trapping those allergens your HVAC can’t handle alone. Whole-home air purifiers are great for anyone suffering from severe asthma or allergies because they improve the entire home’s air quality, helping everyone in the family to breathe easier.

Control Humidity

In addition to air purification, it’s important to maintain ideal humidity levels inside the home in order to alleviate allergies. Humidity, in particular, is a major trigger for many asthma sufferers, especially in a state like Florida. Luckily, you can have a whole-home dehumidifier installed that can help to keep those humidity levels in check. This helps to create the perfect environment that’s safe and healthy for everyone.

Kill Allergens with the Latest Technology

Controlling humidity levels and trapping allergens give you a good start. However, what if you could kill bacteria, mold, and other allergy triggers before they have a chance to spread throughout the home? UV lamps, when used in conjunction with your HVAC system, sterilize both the system’s coil and the air, killing mold and bacteria. While it’s a fairly expensive technology to implement, UV lighting is perfect for households that have been dealing with poor indoor air quality.

Keep Your HVAC Systems Maintained

One of the best and most cost-effective ways to optimize your HVAC system is to schedule annual maintenance service. If you can’t afford any system upgrades or add-ons, regular HVAC maintenance is one of the best ways you can ease asthma and allergy symptoms. This should include having your air filters changed and the ductwork cleaned in order to improve airflow and keep the system running efficiently.

Why suffer from asthma and allergies at home when you can enjoy breathable indoor air? Call All American Heating & Cooling at (941) 451-5228 to discuss optimization solutions for your HVAC system. Whether you opt for an annual HVAC tuneup or a new indoor air quality product, we can have your family breathing better in no time.