Seasonal Allergies? 3 HVAC Upgrades to Consider

If you suffer from seasonal allergies and do not experience the allergy relief you expect when you are indoors, then allergens may be filling the air inside of your home.

Outdoor allergens can easily enter your home through windows and doors. In addition, family members and pets can bring allergen particles indoors after they land on their bodies, clothing, and hair. Finally, some allergens, such as dust and dust mites, are more commonly found inside of homes than outside of them. 

Thankfully, you can do several HVAC upgrades to help reduce the allergen particle content of home air. Read on to learn about three HVAC upgrades that can help keep your indoor air as allergen-free as possible. 

1. Allergen-Filtering HVAC Filter

One easy and affordable way to have your HVAC system to remove as many allergen particles from the air as possible is to replace your standard HVAC filter with a filter that is designed for allergy sufferers. 

Since the main job of an HVAC filter is to keep small particles of dirt and debris from entering the HVAC system and potentially damaging it over time, many air filters perform that task but without improving the home air quality much. However, there are HVAC filters on the market designed to improve home air quality by collecting as many allergen particles from the air as possible as they pass through the filter. 

Most HVAC air filters on the market today are given a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating that designates the particle size of airborne matter, including allergen particles, that can pass through them. Allergy sufferers should install a filter with a high MERV rating to ensure that the filter removes even the smallest allergen particles. 

Keep in mind that you'll likely need to change a filter with a high MERV rating more often than you would change a filter with a lower rating because higher-rated filters collect more airborne particles than those with low MERV ratings. 

2. Whole-Home Dehumidifier Add-on

Indoor air that contains too much humidity can turn your home into a breeding ground for dust mites and mold, which are two common allergens. For this reason, you should take steps to keep the humidity level of your home air under 50 percent. 

While central air conditioning systems are designed to remove some humidity from home air, not all systems remove enough humidity to control the reproduction of dust mites and mold during the spring and summer.

For maximum indoor allergen control, consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier alongside your A/C unit to lower indoor humidity during the summer more than your A/C system can alone. While these dehumidifiers all vary in design slightly, most offer the ability to adjust the indoor humidity to the exact desired percentage and cost very little to run. 

3. HVAC System UV Light

It is common for dust, dirt, mold spores, and pollen particles to become airborne and enter the home air supply on a regular basis, covering many HVAC system components. While having your HVAC system cleaned professionally at least once a year can help minimize this problem, another great way to combat it is to install an HVAC germicidal UV light.

This light or lamp emits light wavelengths that can kill many allergens, including mold spores and dust mites, that tend to thrive in HVAC systems. These allergens are especially common in the moist environment that an air conditioning system provides them. HVAC germicidal UV lights are affordable and easy to install. 

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, then you should consider investing in one or more HVAC system upgrades that can help greatly reduce the number of allergen particles inside of your home year-round. Contact the HVAC experts at Comfort Technology Heating & Air Conditioning to discuss HVAC germicidal UV lamps, whole-house dehumidifiers, air purifiers, or new air filter installations today.