4 Furnace Cleaning Activities to Lessen Fall-Induced Allergies

Everybody knows that spring is the season for allergies; however, the fall season induces just as much, if not more, wheezing fits and complications. This is because the colder weather encourages the growth of many disease-causing microbes, most of which suppress one’s immune system. 

One way to decrease the number and intensity of sneezes this season is by cleaning your furnace. If not regularly maintained, your heating ducts play host to a lot of dust, dander, and other allergens that are all over the air in the hotter months. These allergens then circulate all over your home when you power up your furnace for the first time in the fall, causing your allergies to flare up. 

With the fall season in full swing, here are four furnace-cleaning activities to help make bearing through the season more doable:

1. Replace your furnace filters 

Your filters snag dust and other allergens from circulating in your home. However, if you don’t replace your filters regularly, the forced air can dislodge the accumulated dust and circulate it to your home anyway. For optimum protection during allergy season, replace your filters after 60-90 days.

When replacing filters for the autumn season, it’s best to use High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. These filters are rated to block up to 99.99% of small particles, such as dust, pollen, and dirt. These specialized filters also have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 17-21. 

Note: The MERV rating is a system of measurement that the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers uses to report the efficiency of air filters.

2. Dust your Ducts 

Your filters will work better if they have less dust to block it in the first place. However, knowing when to clean your ducts can be difficult, unless you like climbing up your vents and inspecting them personally. 

To make it a little easier, here are three signs that you need to clean your air ducts and vents:

• The presence of mould clusters in the furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump;
• Seeing visible dust blowing out from your vents when your furnace system is in operation; and
• The increased presence of dust in your home even with regular cleaning. 

Cleaning your air ducts will reduce the chances of dust and other allergens from compiling, as it reduces the chances of particulates getting through the filter. Dust can gather around your vents as well, which not even the best of HEPA filters can block.   

3. Check your humidity levels 

High humidity can also aggravate your allergies. This is because humidity encourages mould growth and dust mites!

If your humidity levels are too high, you can use a dehumidifier to keep your moistures levels under control and improve your indoor air quality.  

4. Perform furnace repair

Dust can accumulate all over your furnace system, not just the filters and ducts. Properly maintaining your furnace unit further ensures that only clean air is circulating inside your home. 

Besides preventing your allergies from flaring up, proper furnace maintenance also ensures the longevity of this house fixture. Regular furnace cleaning allows you to spot and address small issues before it can progress to bigger and costlier furnace repairs. 

Conclusion

The best time to clean your furnace was yesterday—but now is just as good a time as any! Don’t let your allergies get the best of you this fall season. If you’re not wheezing or sneezing every second, you might just be able to appreciate the beautiful colours of the Canadian fall.

Are you looking for a furnace repair and maintenance service in Edmonton? Legacy Heating & Cooling aims to improve the quality of your indoor air all year-round. We handle furnace installations, repairs, and maintenance, as well as provide various solutions for all your HVAC needs. Contact us today for a free quote!