Spring weather brings a much needed respite from the cold of winter but it also brings an influx of pollen and other allergens that can make allergy sufferers sick. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAA!), allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S., with more than 50 million Americans suffering from allergies each year. Most people spend 90% of their time indoors, so learning how to improve indoor air quality can bring much needed relief to spring allergy sufferers.
One of the best ways to improve indoor air quality is to be proactive about HVAC maintenance. You can trust Baggett Heating and Cooling’s award-winning HVAC services in Clarksville to provide solutions that can reduce the amount of allergens in your home and help you breathe easy! Your health, safety, and satisfaction are always our top priorities.
Here are four spring HVAC maintenance tips for reducing allergens and improving air quality.
Use high quality filters
A high quality filter is your first line of defense when it comes to reducing allergens in your home. Choose filters that have at least a MERV 8 rating to trap allergens and other irritating particles. Be sure to check your filters every month and replace them every three months or as needed. Dirty filters can’t trap debris and make your HVAC system less efficient.
Dust registers and return vents first
Dusting once a week will significantly reduce the amount of allergens in your home, but don’t forget to dust the registers and return vents! These vents are responsible for circulating the air from your HVAC system, so if they are covered in dust, they will only spread it around. Dust these before you dust anything else using a damp cloth to prevent kicking up dust mites and other particles that can irritate allergies.
Keep an eye out for mold
Moisture and humidity create the perfect environment for mold to thrive. Every once in a while inspect ducts, evaporator coils, the air handler, and the condensate drip pan and drain for signs of mold. If you are unsure what these parts are one of our expert technicians can show you each part. Aside from irritating allergies, mold spores can cause serious illness. If you find mold, it’s best to have it professionally removed.
Clean the area around your indoor and outdoor units
Your outdoor AC unit draws air from outside into your home’s HVAC system, and that same air then circulates throughout your home. Therefore, it’s important to keep the area around the unit free of dust and debris to ensure the air entering your home is as clean as possible. Similarly, if debris and dust are around your indoor unit, it will end up throughout your home as it circulates. Keeping this area clean will reduce the amount of allergens in your home.
And last but not least, rely on Baggett Heating & Cooling for all your HVAC maintenance needs! Regular HVAC service improves the air quality in your home and saves you money on repairs down the road.
