Springtime and seasonal allergies are just around the corner. This time of year, it’s crucial to ensure that your AC unit is working correctly to reduce allergens. If it’s not, you and your family could suffer from pollen, pollutants, and worsened symptoms of coughing, sneezing, and itching from allergies or asthma.
The signs of a poorly running unit can be subtle, and you may not notice your indoor air quality isn’t what it should be. By understanding how you can improve your HVAC unit’s efficiency, you can reduce allergens in your home and help your family breathe easily.
Here are our top tips to get your AC unit ready for the spring.
Perform DIY Maintenance
Your air filter plays an important role in your home’s air quality, and one of the best things you can do for your allergies is to keep it clean. On average, air filters need to be changed every 90 days due to the buildup of particles in the air. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, changing your filter every 45 days can help improve your symptoms immensely. This is because your filter collects allergens such as pollen and other air particles.
If you’re not sure whether your air filter is dirty or needs to be changed, you can try a simple method called the white sheet test. Hang a white sheet in front of your AC unit for an hour or so, and then check to see if it’s dirty. If your sheet is grayish or looks dirty, it means that your air filter needs a change. You can also invest in an air quality monitor that alerts you to high allergens, poor air quality, and pollutants.
Managing humidity levels in your home will help keep your allergy symptoms mild as well. The amount of humidity in your home greatly affects your indoor air quality and can irritate your allergies. Investing in a dehumidifier is a great way to control your indoor humidity levels.
Keep Your Home Clean
Keeping your home clean is one of the most important things you can do for your AC unit to reduce allergies. Upholstery, rugs, and carpets can hold in dust, allergens, and other particles that can affect the quality of the air you breathe. That’s why it’s essential to clean them regularly.
Pollen clings to almost any surface, including your shoes and clothes. Remember to take off your shoes when you come into your home, and clean regularly to eliminate the particles you accidentally bring in. Dusting, especially in hard-to-reach areas like ceiling fans, is another great way to help combat pollen and other small particles.
Schedule Routine AC Maintenance
The best way to ensure your AC unit is running smoothly is through routine HVAC maintenance. Because there are multiple components within your unit that require maintenance from a certified HVAC technician, scheduling professional maintenance twice per year is recommended.
During your bi-annual AC maintenance appointment, your HVAC technician will inspect your entire unit and offer recommendations to improve your indoor air quality. These recommendations may include technical improvements like upgraded air filters, air purifiers, and dehumidifiers. They may even recommend some easy lifestyle changes you and your family can try to improve your home’s air quality.
By joining a maintenance plan like AC Designs Preferred Customer Maintenance Program, you can have regular HVAC maintenance performed on your unit and keep it working to the best of its ability. On top of that, joining our maintenance program helps save you money on HVAC costs in the long run.
If you’re looking for AC maintenance for spring to help reduce allergens in your home, contact our team at AC Designs. We take pride in being the number one family-owned and operated AC company in Jacksonville, Florida, and we’re ready to help you with all your HVAC needs.