Using Your Furnace To Tackle Wintertime Allergies

Blog

Spring and summer aren't the only times of the year when allergies strike. Wintertime allergies can also pose a problem for vulnerable adults, children and the elderly, especially with so much time being spent indoors where allergens can thrive. With the help of your heating system, however, you can take steps to make your home safer for indoor allergy sufferers.

Common Indoor Allergies

Not all allergens come from the great outdoors. Your very own home offers a surprising array of microscopic entities that can trigger your allergy symptoms. These triggers often include:

• Dust mites - Commonly found in upholstery and carpeting, microscopic dust mites are a common cause of wintertime allergies.
• Pet dander - When household pets shed dead skin, the leftover flakes can trigger a variety of allergic reactions in some people.
• Mold and mildew - Mold spores are a classic allergy trigger, especially when left alone in damp, dark areas such as your basement.
• Pest droppings - Droppings from rats, cockroaches and other pests can also trigger wintertime allergies.

The above allergens can trigger a broad range of symptoms in vulnerable people, including watery eyes, inflammation, labored breathing and eye and skin irritation.

Allergen Reduction Tips

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to put up with indoor allergies. Here are a few tips you can use to stay allergy free while staying warm with the help of your furnace:

• Change your furnace filter regularly.  A dirty furnace filter can harbor an untold number of germs and viruses. Changing the filter at the correct intervals can help reduce indoor allergies and alleviate common symptoms.
• Run your furnace fan often. Furnace filters need constant airflow in order to work properly. A running fan provides enough airflow to maintain effective filtration of common allergens.
• Invest in a better filter. Upgrading to a furnace filter with a higher MERV rating can help boost your furnace's efficiency and capture more allergens.
• Keep your furnace spotless. A little vacuuming and dusting can go a long way towards reducing wintertime allergies. To ensure a thorough cleaning for the best results, use a vacuum that comes equipped with HEPA filtration.
• Maintain optimal humidity levels. Dry air exacerbates allergy symptoms, but a humidifier can help put moisture back into the air and bring indoor humidity levels back into balance.
• Install a UV germicidal lamp. Exposure to certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light can help kill allergy-causing germs and bacteria.

For more ideas on controlling allergens in your home this winter, don't hesitate to contact the best heating and air conditioning service in your area..

Share

8 December 2018