Can HVAC Maintenance Help Your Allergies?

Those who suffer from allergies know just how miserable spring and fall seasons can be, and they’ll do just about anything to try to find some sort of relief. People will buy all sorts of devices and undergo many different treatments to try to get the runny nose, watery eyes, and frequent sneezing to come to a stop. However, you may have the technology you need already installed in your home. Believe it or not, some simple, regular upkeep on your air conditioning and heating system can actually improve your home’s air quality and dramatically reduce allergy symptoms.

Here are three simple steps you can follow to keep your air conditioner and heater running smoothly and your allergy symptoms at bay.

Replace Your Filter

Your air filter is a small and yet unbelievably important part of your HVAC system. Costing only a couple of dollars at your local hardware store, these simple pieces are designed to remove dust, dander, pollen, mold spores, and other contaminants from the air to prevent them from being recirculated through your system. Not only will this preserve your system’s life, but it also will keep you happy and healthy. You’ll need to change this filter frequently—depending on your system use, allergy severity, and other factors, it’s advised you change it at least twice a year, if not more.

Inspect Your Units for Mold

Air conditioners are basically giant refrigerators, which means they accumulate condensation over time, especially if your home is particularly humid. Mold tends to grow in cool, dark, and damp places, which you’ll often find in your air conditioner. There’s not much you can do to prevent it sometimes, but you do need to clean it when it starts to form. You might be able to take care of a small amount of mold on your own, but you should contact a professional if you spot a large amount.

Schedule a Maintenance Service

Your system gets a lot of heavy use during summer and then sits dormant during winter, where your outdoor unit is exposed to frigid temperatures, snow, and ice. All that wear and tear means it’s a good idea to call a Colorado Springs heating and cooling expert for a maintenance service. This service involves cleaning your indoor and outdoor units, which keeps allergens and other irritants out of your indoor air.