HVAC Allergy Solutions: Breathe Easier at Home

If you have a respiratory problem, such as asthma or allergies, your home should be somewhere you can breathe easily. However, breathing difficulties can flare up anywhere, especially if unseen irritants are in the air. Keep up with your HVAC care to keep allergens in your home to a minimum.

The Health Risks of Dirty Air Ducts

Houston’s high humidity makes ducts a prime spot for mold growth, which is dangerous to everyone in your home, particularly those with respiratory issues. The health risks of mold in air ducts include an increased risk for asthma attacks, alongside other symptoms:

  • Chronic coughing and sneezing
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Congestion
  • Itchy or watery eyes
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
  • Nausea

If you suspect you have mold in your vents, schedule a professional duct cleaning.

Does Air Duct Cleaning Help with Allergies?

Air goes everywhere, so it’s impossible to tell how pollutants and allergens enter your home. Dust builds up naturally over time, mainly stuck to your ducts rather than in the air. Air duct cleaning may have no effect unless your vents are dirty enough to impede airflow or contain mold or fungus growth.

Signs Your HVAC is Affecting Your Respiratory Problems

If you have asthma or chronic difficulty breathing, it can be difficult to pinpoint what makes it worse. If your breathing problems worsen, you should always consult your doctor before trying anything else. However, if you’re trying to narrow down potential causes, here are some signs that point to HVAC issues:

  • You have more frequent or severe attacks at home. If coming home at the end of the day sets you coughing, it’s a good indicator that your home air quality is low.
  • Symptoms increase when you turn down the thermostat. Extra-cold temperatures aren’t good for your lungs. If you cool your home too much, it may trigger an attack. Try turning up the temperature for a few days and see if symptoms lessen.
  • It’s hard to breathe when the heat is on. As rare as it is to have the heat on in Houston, winter nights are cold enough for the heat to come on. Hot air, whether natural or human-made, can make asthma worse.

Choosing HVAC Allergy Filters

Choosing an air filter can feel confusing: what really works, what’s overkill, and what won’t make a dent in your allergies? The best HVAC filters for asthma, allergies, and other breathing problems depend on how severe your respiratory difficulties are and how many irritants your system has to deal with.

For severe allergies or asthma, choose a HEPA air filter for your HVAC. A HEPA – high-efficiency particulate air – filter screens out the smallest particles. However, many air conditioners aren’t compatible with a HEPA filter. The tight weave can restrict airflow through your home.

A standard MERV-rated filter can significantly reduce the number of irritants in your home, including dust, pollen, dander, and pet hair. The best MERV rating for allergies and asthma is 9-12 on the scale. These filters can trap irritants without restricting airflow in a standard system.

Changing Your HVAC Filter

Regularly replacing or cleaning your filter is even more important than choosing your filter type. If you struggle with respiratory problems, change your air filter every two months. You may even need to change it every month if your symptoms are severe, you have pets, or you live in a large household.

Other HVAC Care to Minimize Allergies and Asthma Symptoms

The best way to minimize respiratory symptoms is to keep your HVAC system clean. Routine professional maintenance takes care of significant buildup. However, you can also clean out your AC unit with a damp cloth and some mild detergent mixed with warm water as often as you like. Keep vent covers clean with regular dusting and vacuum once a week to prevent settled dust from re-entering the air. If your air conditioner needs help managing dirty air, install an air purifier for extra filtering.

Houston HVAC Professionals to Care for Your System

With help from the pros at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Houston, you can keep your HVAC running smoothly and cleanly. We provide the care you need to keep your home safe for those with allergies and asthma, as well as system maintenance, repair, and installation. Whatever your HVAC needs, give us a call at (713) 352-7903 or book an appointment online.