Is Your Furnace Making Your Allergies Worse?

Yes, it often does! And if you struggle with allergies, you already know how air quality impacts your sinuses and air pathways. Good air quality is a key component in keeping heater allergies at bay. We’ve listed a few key things that you can do to have your furnace system be a help, not a hindrance, in our fight against heater allergies!

Tips for Keeping Your Furnace from Triggering Your Allergies 

There are a few things you can do to ensure that your furnace has a positive impact on your seasonal allergies, including:

• Keeping it Well-Maintained: Furnace maintenance goes beyond simply changing filters; your furnace system often is integrated with your humidifier and air exchanger (HRV), both of which are vital to good air quality in your home. (The more advanced Lennox S30 control is actually integrated into the regional Air Quality Index and will adjust your furnace’s air flow as the air quality changes!) So keeping your home’s furnace properly maintained is one of the best ways to prevent low air quality in the home that could affect your furnace caused allergies.

• Cleaning Your Air Ducts: Over time, dirt, dust, and other allergens will collect in your ductwork. When your furnace kicks on, these allergens are then spread throughout your home. Investing in periodic duct and air vent cleaning is highly recommended. Doing so will help ease your allergy symptoms and improve indoor air quality.

• Replacing Air Filters: Your HVAC filters are designed to collect allergens. However, to work properly they also need to be replaced periodically. Regularly switching out your air filters will help reduce allergens, as well as improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. As a minimum, use pleated filters, as they are much more effective in capturing small particles than the standard fiber media filters. Most furnace installations sold by Toshack Service include a 5” pleated filter; we recommend this as a minimum for furnace air filtration. (The industry-leading Lennox PureAir systems include charcoal filters and UV lights among other features and they also remove viruses, VOCs, odours…but that’s another whole blog!)

Are Forced Air Heating Systems Bad for Allergies? 

There’s a common misconception that forced air heating systems like furnaces can aggravate allergies. However, with th e right care and maintenance, system will actually improve your home’s air quality. In addition to the suggestions mentioned above, you can also do a few other things to ensure the air in your home is as clean as possible.

Firstly, vacuum your household regularly and dust it to remove any visible allergens. Clean behind your furniture and on all of the surfaces of your household. You should also keep a close eye on your home’s humidity levels if you suffer from heater allergies, as more moisture can enable mold and mildew growth that can exacerbate allergy symptoms. 

Contact us today for furnace repair and replacement services! 

If you’re in need of reliable furnace maintenance and repairs, contact Toshack online today or call 1 (888) 547-6162 for a FREE QUOTE.