Is Your HVAC System Making Your Seasonal Allergies Worse?

By Erin Wallace

July 04, 2024

Ahh, spring. Blooming flowers, budding trees and ... sneezing attacks from pollen.

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Seasonal allergies can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medicines to alleviate symptoms so you can enjoy the outdoors, but what about inside your house? Believe it or not, your HVAC system may be contributing to your allergies.

How Could Your HVAC System Be Aggravating Your Allergies?

In homes that have a forced air heating and cooling system, air is circulated throughout your house through individual vents and ductwork that lies under the floor and in your ceiling. You might notice yourself sneezing more than usual when you turn on the heat for the first time in the fall or turn on the AC in the spring after it's been off for a while. This can happen in homes with older heating systems as well.

Dust, dander and other particulates can build up in your ducts and vents if they're not used for several months. For example, you could have forced hot air for heat but use window units or portable AC units for cooling in the summer, which means your heating system is off for half the year. When you turn the heat on, that dust and dander start circulating through your vents and get into the air in your home.

Dust and dander aren't the only things that could be aggravating your allergies. Condensation and humidity can build up on cooling coils and condensate pans if your HVAC system is used for AC and cooling. While humidity itself doesn't cause allergies, it does provide a perfect environment for mold, mildew and bacteria to grow. And these things can definitely trigger seasonal allergies and perhaps cause more serious illness. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help prevent a lot of these problems.

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How Do You Mitigate These Effects During Seasonal Allergies Season?

Luckily, there are easy ways to help mitigate these HVAC system allergies.

Change Your Filter Regularly

Almost all modern gas, oil and electric furnaces have air filters that need to be changed seasonally. Older or more basic models might not, but it's likely your furnace does. The general rule is to change your filter once every 60 to 90 days. There are some exceptions, but this is a good general rule to follow.

Over time, particles like dust and pet dander become trapped in the filter, making it dirty. This makes it harder for air to force itself through, making your furnace work harder and driving up your energy costs.

If you have a HEPA filter instead of a typical fiberglass one, you may be able to replace it less often, usually once a year.

Dust and Vacuum Frequently

Regularly vacuuming carpets can help mitigate your allergies. If those particles and dust aren't in the carpet, they can't get into the air or in your air ducts. Dusting frequently helps as well, especially in corners, less frequently used shelves and curtains.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Keeping your furnace in good working order is an easy way to keep HVAC system allergies at bay. It can help boost your home's air quality and maintain the furnace's efficiency. Scheduling seasonal maintenance with an HVAC professional is usually a good idea, such as in the late fall, when you're getting ready to turn the heat on, and in the late spring before you turn on your cooling system.

You can also schedule a full air duct cleaning with an HVAC pro. They'll use powerful vacuums inside your ducts, vents and registers to collect dust and other particles, helping improve your home's air quality. Tools like rotating brushes and compressed air help dislodge and move settled layers of dust.

Empty Humidifiers Regularly

While a humidifier may not be a direct part of your HVAC system, using it during humid months can help keep indoor air quality healthy. Humidifiers remove excess moisture from the indoor air and are a good idea for basements, which can be more moist environments.

In a portable humidifier, the water collects in a basin, and it's important to empty it regularly so mold, mildew and other bacteria doesn't build up. Some humidifier models have external draining hoses that can be installed to drain the moisture outside, away from the home.

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