How Your HVAC System Can Help Beat Allergies

The weather is warm, the birds are chirping, trees and flowers are starting to sprout. That all means just one thing: allergy season in Omaha is right around the corner. But this year is going to be different! You don’t have to be miserable anymore. Getzschman is bringing you some simple but important tips for reducing allergy symptoms.

Believe it or not, your HVAC system can have a big effect on the state of your sinuses. So instead of suffering through another year with itchy eyes and a runny nose, follow these G-Force allergy reducing tips to nip allergens in the bud:

1.  Clean or change your filter. This is the single most important thing you can do to reduce indoor allergens in your home. Dust, mold and spores become trapped in your furnace filter and are spewed throughout your house, resulting in unpleasantness.

Not sure how to change your filter? Every furnace or air conditioner is different. Some filters need to be changed monthly, others every other month or even just once a year. Check your owner’s manual to make sure you understand how often to change yours and what replacement filters you need.

Don’t forget to clean your heating registers, too—dusty registers just spread allergens around. Yuck.

2.  Get a dehumidifier. Spring showers might bring flowers, but they also bring mold and make it easier for dust mites and cockroaches to thrive. Get rid of that excess moisture with a dehumidifier that keeps your house at about 40% humidity.

3.   Run your AC. Once the weather heats up enough to flip your HVAC system from heat to cool, you can start making a dent in your allergy suffering. By keeping your windows closed, you’re keeping that pollen out of your home and out of your lungs. If you have a recycle option on your unit, turn it on so you move the same air through the house instead of bringing in new spore-laden air.

Mold can grow inside your air conditioner, too. To reduce your risk, turn off the cooling in your house, then run the air conditioner for 30 minutes to zap any lurking spores.

There’s no reason to spend this beautiful weather being miserable. With a little care and attention to your HVAC system, you’ll be breathing easier all spring and summer long. For more information on reducing your allergies, call Getzschman. Our friendly technicians will walk you through hypoallergenic filters, dehumidifiers and regular maintenance tips that can make your life so much better. Happy spring from your friends at Getzschman Heating and Cooling.