How Can Your Home's HVAC System Help Your Allergies This Spring?

Your HVAC system moves air all over your house. Whatever allergens are hidden in your ducts are circulated by your heating and air conditioning system. Dirty air ducts can exacerbate allergies whenever the HVAC system is in use. Knowing how to tell when your HVAC system needs to be cleaned and who to turn to for a cleaning can help you control your indoor air quality and provide you with allergy relief this spring.

Know the Warning Signs of a Dirty HVAC System

If your home's HVAC system is dirty, you'll likely notice many warning signs, including:

  • Your allergies are worse when the HVAC system is in use.
  • Your furniture gets more dusty at times of the year when the heating and air conditioning is in use.
  • Your HVAC's air filter needs to be replaced frequently or it becomes filthy.

Perform an HVAC Inspection, Get a Duct Cleaning if Necessary

To check your home's HVAC system for dust and mold, remove a vent cover and shine a light into the duct. The duct should be relatively clean. If you see a blanket of dust and debris inside the vent, this is a sign that your HVAC system needs to be cleaned.

While you're standing at the open vent, sniff the air. The air inside the duct should have little or no smell. If the air inside smells musty, this could be an indication that mold is growing inside your ducts. If your air ducts look dirty or smell moldy, contact an HVAC professional for a more thorough inspection. He or she can tell you the status of your air ducts and clean them if necessary.

Replace the Air Filter

Cleaning your air ducts can help improve the air quality in your home, but if your HVAC system's air filter is clogged with dust and allergens, your HVAC system may still be circulating dirty air. The air filter is located in a slot between the air blower and the return air duct. If the air filter is more than 3 months old, it's time to replace it with a clean filter. To do this, remove the old filter, purchase a new filter at a local home improvement center and put the new air filter back in the slot.

Run the HVAC System to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Once your HVAC system is clean and the filter is new, your HVAC system can actually help clean the air in your home. To keep your home's air as clean as possible, shut the windows and run your HVAC system. Doing this throughout the spring can help you breathe easier while at home. For more information about how your home's HVAC system can improve your indoor air quality, speak with your HVAC professional, like HVAC Clément Marchand Natural Gas Service. He or she can give you tips and tricks for keeping your HVAC system clean throughout the year.


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