A well-functioning HVAC system is essential for keeping the indoor climate comfortable and healthy. Indoor air quality is especially critical for people with asthma and allergies. A well-maintained HVAC system can alleviate symptoms, while an unmaintained one can worsen them. If you understand how your system affects asthma and allergies, you can make better judgments about HVAC system maintenance and upgrades to improve air quality.
The Role of the HVAC Filter
Filters are necessary for your HVAC system because they collect airborne particles and keep them from recirculating in your home. They also do a great job collecting allergens such as pollen, dust, pet hair, and skin particles, which can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Benefits of Upgrading to HEPA Filters
Those who suffer from severe allergies or asthma may find that purchasing a home with a HEPA filter makes a world of difference in terms of symptom relief and overall comfort. Allergens, including pollen, mold spores, and dust mites, are among the many airborne particles HEPA filters can collect, with a 99.97% success rate. These particles can be as small as 0.3 microns. Improved indoor air quality directly results from the substantial reduction in particle concentration brought about by this degree of filtering.
As a general rule, HEPA filters are thicker and may necessitate adjustments to your system, so it’s best to check the manufacturer’s specs or talk to an HVAC expert if you plan to use one. To keep your system performing well and enjoy the benefits of better air quality without any performance drops, you have to ensure the components are compatible.
How Temperature Control Affects Humidity
Your HVAC system controls the temperature inside your home by adjusting the fan speed and temperature. By regulating the temperature, the system mitigates the risk of dryness and excessive moisture buildup, maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor humidity level.
Effects of Humidity Control on Allergens
The management and prevention of allergies rely heavily on effective humidity regulation. Mold and dust mites, two common allergens that can aggravate asthma and other allergy symptoms, thrive in damp, humid environments. A dehumidifier or a humidity control feature on your HVAC system can help keep humidity levels and reduce the likelihood of these allergens. Maintaining an indoor space’s relative humidity between 30% and 50% is best for optimal indoor air quality.
If you live in a home that constantly has low humidity levels, you might want to talk with an HVAC expert about connecting a whole-home humidifier to your HVAC system. A whole-home humidifier integrates with your HVAC system and distributes humidified air throughout the house. In addition to helping with allergy and asthma symptoms, maintaining optimal humidity levels alleviates dry skin and protects wooden furniture from warping and cracking.
Role of Ventilation in Reducing Indoor Air Pollution
Decreasing interior air pollution is one of ventilation’s most essential functions. With the right ventilation, your HVAC system can bring in cool, fresh air from the outside and blow out the old, stuffy air within your home. Air exchange and heat recovery ventilators are two efficient ventilation systems you may want to consider installing to ensure your HVAC system contributes to healthier indoor air quality.
Preventive Maintenance Tips for Allergy and Asthma Relief
Managing asthma and allergies requires regular preventative maintenance of your HVAC system. Depending on your home’s filter and allergen levels, you need to change or clean the filter every one to three months. Regular cleaning of the duct is crucial for removing allergens, mildew, and other contaminants from the air. Water damage or leaks in your HVAC system can cause mold development and elevated allergy levels, so be sure to check for these.
Using a hygrometer to track the relative humidity in a room and making temperature adjustments as needed enables more accurate regulation of environmental factors that affect indoor air quality. Lastly, you should have a professional HVAC technician check and maintain your system regularly.
Cencal Mechanical Heating & Air, Inc. Local HVAC Company
Cencal Mechanical Heating & Air, Inc., located in Modesto, CA, is here to answer any questions about your HVAC system and its effects on allergies and asthma. We offer HVAC services to keep your home safe and comfortable, including AC tune-ups, furnace repairs, thermostat calibration, water heater maintenance, and much more. Call us today to schedule HVAC maintenance for your home in Modesto.
