Most people who suffer from allergies have been in an indoor space that triggered their condition at some point. Worse, many live in homes with environments that can serve as allergy triggers. Even if there’s only a small part of your house that’s problematic for your allergies, dealing with it is vital to your wellbeing.

Fortunately, your home’s HVAC system is frequently the best starting point for handling such concerns. This is an advantage because you can centralize multiple solutions in a single spot. We often encourage our HVAC customers to look at the following ways their home systems may alleviate allergy symptoms.

Basic HVAC Filters

Many modern HVAC systems have surprisingly good filtration built into their designs. If you’re not currently replacing the filters on a three-month schedule, doing so is a good place to start when it comes to relieving allergies. You should also examine the filters when you replace them. If the filters appear to have accumulated a lot of lint, dirt or other debris in that time, you may want to consider a more aggressive filter replacement schedule. Many people with allergies replace their HVAC filters as often as once a month. Especially if you have pets in your household, this kind of schedule can make a difference.

Adding high-efficiency particulate air filters to your HVAC also can be helpful. However, ask our technicians to check that your HVAC supports the use of HEPA filters before trying this solution. Especially if the heating system uses gas, a HEPA filter could starve it of oxygen. That can make the system run worse, and an inefficient burning cycle could even aggravate breathing conditions by releasing gas into the living space.

Air Purification

The next big step up in cleaning your home’s air is a purification system. Modern air purifiers use multiple techniques to deal with irritants. Most purifiers have more aggressive filters than you’ll see as part of a standard HVAC setup. Many also incorporate UV light to kill microbes, such as viruses, bacteria and mold. You can even find systems with activated-carbon filters that react when they come into contact with volatile organic chemicals. Ionization systems can also remove smelly irritants from the air.

Even better, whole-house air purification is an option. Many air purifiers are compatible with existing HVAC units. Implementing air purification is frequently as simple as retrofitting a purifier onto your home’s current HVAC. Likewise, there are HVAC systems that have built-in air purifiers. Especially if your home’s HVAC is close to or past the end of its service life, you may want to look at a setup that adds an air purifier.

Air Handler

In an HVAC system, the air handler is a component that deals with the intake, exhaust and recirculation of air in your house. Suppose a house isn’t getting enough fresh air. Replacing the air handler with a system that cycles more air in can be beneficial. There are also air handlers that can recirculate air. Recirculation may be a better choice if there are lots of problems with pollen or pollution where you live. In both cases, the air handler needs to connect properly to any filtration and purification systems to minimize the risk of allergies. Also, you want to be sure that your home’s air handler has a high-efficiency rating.

Replacing an aging air handler is often a good idea, especially if the rest of the HVAC is still operating well. Many air handlers develop issues after about 10 to 15 years. If the air handler becomes leaky, it might draw in more outdoor air, increasing your exposure to outside irritants.

Controlling Humidity Levels

Many people move to Gilbert, AZ, because of the low humidity levels. However, dealing with allergies isn’t always as simple as relocating to a place with low humidity. Extremely low humidity levels can dry out the mucous that lines your nasal passages, sinuses and lungs. That can potentially aggravate breathing problems rather than alleviate them.

Also, a dry outdoor environment doesn’t presuppose a dry indoor area. If your home is very well-insulated and has limited air circulation, humidity can build up even in the relatively dry environs of Arizona. You may notice evidence of this if condensation often forms on your home’s windows. In extreme cases, it could even lead to mold.

Notably, the recommended humidity range for good indoor air quality is fairly narrow. Most doctors recommend that you keep the humidity in your house above 30% to keep your breathing ways moist. At the same time, you don’t want to let the humidity level get much above 50% because that can encourage mold growth in your house.

Depending upon the issues at your residence, your HVAC may need to incorporate a humidifier and a dehumidifier. Once more, whole-house systems are available and retrofitting is usually an option. On the other hand, the solution could be as simple as improving your home’s ventilation.

Ducts

The ductwork in a house often harbors irritants. Regular duct cleaning makes a big difference for people with allergies. An annual duct cleaning is usually good enough, but you may want to consider a more aggressive schedule if you have serious allergies or there are serious sources of allergens nearby.

The efficiency of your home’s ductwork can be just as important. Duct sealing and repair is a good choice because it prevents irritants from entering the HVAC system. Likewise, you may want to have our technicians redesign the ductwork. If the system is old, there is a decent chance that someone left behind some old ducts. Removing these can get rid of places that might harbor allergens. Also, a more efficient duct design can improve airflow. Generally, the more efficient the ducting is, the better the environment will be for people who have allergies.

Smart Technologies

The big buzzword in the HVAC business these days is smart tech. A smart HVAC can make a difference in two key ways. First, modern smart systems can better monitor temperature and humidity levels. Especially if your allergies respond best to a limited set of conditions, a smart thermostat with sensors can help you maintain the right environment in your home.

Many smart systems also track preventative and even predictive maintenance. Keeping your home’s HVAC running at peak efficiency tends to be good for allergies. Consequently, any notification that the HVAC is running less efficiently or needs routine maintenance is a win. Even something as simple as a reminder to replace the furnace filter can make a difference. Likewise, you can program the system to provide annual reminders for HVAC checkups and care. For example, you can get a notice to have one of our technicians inspect and drain the AC system’s lines.

A/C & Plumbing Doctors helps households throughout Maricopa County deal with HVAC needs. Our team performs installations, repairs, upgrades and maintenance for ACs and heating systems. We also provide plumbing services and help with systems like ductless mini-splits, heat pumps and electric furnaces. Specials are available, and we also have financing for qualified customers’ projects.

If you wonder how your house’s HVAC might help with your allergies, contact A/C & Plumbing Doctors today for our professional recommendation.

company icon