Are you sneezing all the time? Is there a little tickle in your throat throughout the day? Does your house feel stuffy and stale? You’re not alone, as these are common complaints from homeowners.
Luckily, you can upgrade your HVAC system to reduce allergens in your home and bring sweet relief. Learn more about these upgrades below.
Efficient Air Filters
An air filter in your HVAC system is one of the best defenses against seasonal and persistent allergies. The right air filtration system can keep dust, dirt, pollen, and other allergens out of the air, so you can breathe better and feel better when inside. Most furnaces and air conditioners come with a basic filter, which can only filter out some of the particles. They typically rate between 1-4 on a 20-point scale. Consider upgrading your air filtration component to a filter with a much higher rating. The best filters have tighter weaves, so they’re able to trap smaller particles, and these have ratings between 6-13. Also, be sure to change your filter regularly. It’s recommended to replace them every 30-90 days. If you have severe allergies, we recommend doing it monthly.
Air Purifiers
Some HVAC systems can also work with air purifiers, which go the extra mile to keep your air clean and healthy. Air purifiers are a step above a regular filter. They can remove up to 99.9% of allergens and airborne particles, helping you breathe easier. They’re roughly 100 times more effective at reducing allergens in the air than even the best HVAC air filter. Make sure you choose your air purifier wisely. Ones that use ionized air release trace amounts of ozone, which could irritate your lungs. But there are plenty of no-ozone options you can add to your HVAC setup.
UV Germicidal Lights
Step into the future with us! If you really want to amp up your HVAC system upgrades for allergy relief, you can add a UV germicidal light system. The ultraviolet (UV-C) wavelengths can kill germs on contact. These work by damaging the DNA of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This inhibits their ability to survive and transmit diseases or release particles, stopping them before they can taint your indoor air. Mold spores are a common cause of allergy irritation, and these lights often take care of them better than filters or purifiers. These can be installed in certain HVAC systems within the air handler near the evaporator coil, sterilizing microorganisms that touch the coil before they enter your ductwork.
Whole-Home Dehumidifiers (or Humidifiers)
If you’re suffering from persistent allergies, a humidifying system could be the solution. You may need your air to be drier, or you may need more moisture. It depends on your symptoms and concerns. Many bacteria and germs thrive in moist conditions, especially mold spores. If these are your top concerns, we recommend getting a dehumidifier. By reducing the moisture in the air, you can stop the growth of this bacteria and make the air easier to breathe. On the other hand, if your nose constantly feels dry and you have a light, persistent cough, a humidifier could be more helpful. You can also get both! Humidifiers are often helpful during the dry, cold Minnesota winters, while dehumidifiers are best during the muggy, hot summers.
Energy Recovery Ventilators
Despite what many people think, most HVAC systems do not pull air from the outdoors. Instead, they consistently recycle the same air, heating or cooling it, filtering or purifying it, and then sending it back into your space. This can result in stale air that isn’t pleasant to breathe. An energy recovery ventilator could solve this issue for you. They exchange heat and moisture between incoming fresh air — pulled from outside — and outgoing stale air. This can substantially improve your indoor air quality. The air isn’t mixed, so you genuinely get new air to breathe, but it’s been filtered through your HVAC system.
HVAC Maintenance Contracts
Lastly — and this isn’t exactly an upgrade, but it will definitely help improve your air quality — you can set up an HVAC maintenance contract. HVAC maintenance contracts are agreements with HVAC companies (like us!) where we’ll routinely service your HVAC system to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. You don’t have to worry about cleaning air ducts or replacing filtration systems, because we’ll take of all that. And we’ll make sure it gets done on schedule, too! If you want to improve indoor air quality for allergy relief, but struggle to keep up with your HVAC maintenance, this kind of contract can make your life much easier.
Contact Us for HVAC System Upgrades for Allergy Relief
If one or more of these solutions is calling to you, give us a call. At Schwantes, we understand the struggle of allergies and can offer solutions. Contact us today to start upgrading your HVAC system for allergy relief!
