Allergy season is here, and the air outdoors is filled with pollen and other allergens, but it’s probably much worse inside. Experts say that indoor air pollution levels are often two to five times higher than those outdoors. To make matters worse, your HVAC system may be a significant source of contaminants, harboring dust mites, pollen, mold and other common indoor allergens.
When it comes to cutting down on indoor allergies, HVAC maintenance always plays an important role. Keeping your system in good shape not only helps its performance, but also creates a healthier indoor environment for you and your loved ones. Proper HVAC maintenance also helps your system last longer and use less energy throughout its working life.
Simple HVAC Maintenance Tips
- Make sure your HVAC system has a clean air filter. By trapping dust, pollen and other airborne pollutants, air filters do a lot to reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality. You should ideally replace the filter in your forced-air HVAC system every 30 to 60 days. In any event, get in the habit of inspecting it monthly and changing it when it looks dirty.
- Have your ducts cleaned as needed. Sometimes dust, dirt and mold can accumulate within, triggering allergies while producing a musty, moldy odor.
- Make sure your A/C or heat pump’s evaporator coil is cleaned on a yearly basis to remove and prevent mold growth. To stop future mold growth, you may want to have an ultraviolet lamp installed near the coil.
- Consider installing a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. True HEPA filters use advanced filtration technology to trap 99.97 percent of all airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. You’ll need an HVAC pro’s help with this.
Contact us at Gentry Service Group to learn more about the importance of HVAC maintenance for keeping your Asheville area home healthy and comfortable throughout allergy season and beyond.
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