Is my HVAC system making my allergies worse? That's the question many people ask in the spring and fall when they start using their heat and air conditioning more regularly. Whether your HVAC system is a friend or foe in the allergy battle depends on how well the system is maintained.
Dust, pollen and mold are the main offenders for people suffering with allergies. If they are already in the air, your HVAC system is just going to blow them around and keep you miserable unless you take some steps to break the cycle.
Step one: Using proper filters. Cheap air filters are designed to protect the equipment from being damaged by large large pieces of dirt and debris, not to keep you from sneezing. To get any health benefits from your filters, you have to make sure that you have the right kind. What you need are HEPA filters. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate AIr, and filters over 99 percent of particles from the air. Dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, dirt and everything else floating in the air is trapped in them before it gets to your lungs. This filters are assigned a MERV rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The higher the MERV, the better the filter. Allergy sufferers generally need a MERV rating of at least 10 for the filter to be effective. The filters need to be changed at a minimum of every two months, more often if allergies are severe.
The HVAC system is one of the most important and expensive parts of any home. As a result, homeowners face a difficult decision when the system starts flashing some warning signs. Yes, homeowners must determine between that repair vs replace HVAC decision.
