High levels of pollen and pollution in Nashua, NH can trigger seasonal allergy symptoms, like sneezing and itchy eyes, during the fall months. Many homes also have poor indoor air quality, which can also cause headaches, brain fog, and fatigue, as well as general allergy symptoms. Your HVAC system can help manage indoor allergens during the fall and throughout the year. Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. is here to help with indoor air quality solutions.
Your HVAC Air Filter
The basic filter in your HVAC system can remove some particulate matter from your indoor air. Unfortunately, these filters often leave many contaminants behind. If the filter becomes dirty, it can allow allergens and pollutants to pass through more easily while forcing your HVAC system to work harder. We recommend changing your filter every one to three months for the best results.
When choosing an HVAC filter, pay attention to the minimum-efficiency reporting value, or MERV for short. This scale shows how effective a filter is at trapping particulates. The higher the MERV rating, the more particulates a filter can trap. The higher the rating, the more restrictive the filter will be. Residential HVAC systems can typically handle a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 12. If you use a filter that is too restrictive, it can cause damage to your HVAC system.
Considering Air Filtration
To trap more allergens in your home, upgrade your HVAC system using filtration equipment. These units can handle upgraded filters, such as high-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA for short. HEPA filters are highly efficient, as their name suggests, at removing allergens from your indoor air. In many cases, they can remove up to 99.97% of contaminants that are as small as 0.3 microns in size. This includes mold spores, pet dander, pollen, and dust.
Different types of filtration equipment are available using various filters. In addition to HEPA filters for allergy sufferers, activated carbon is a great feature. It can absorb bad odors and improve the smell of your home. It can also remove volatile organic compounds from your indoor air, which can be very dangerous to your health. These VOCs come from chemical-based cleaning products, new building materials, and fragrances. VOCs can cause an increase in allergy symptoms and other health problems. They can even increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
Increase Home Ventilation
Removing stale air from your home and replacing it with fresh air is necessary to reduce the concentration of allergens in your indoor air. Most homes already have simple ventilation equipment in place, such as exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. You should run these fans when you’re bathing, cooking, or cleaning to reduce humidity and indoor contaminants. However, you can also incorporate additional systems into your home to increase ventilation when exhaust fans aren’t enough. Options include a heat recovery ventilator, supply ventilation, and an energy recovery ventilator. These types of equipment work with your HVAC system, which will circulate air and allow ventilation units to do their job effectively. Certain types of ventilation equipment can help reduce the workload on your HVAC equipment, lowering your monthly energy use and reducing utility bills. This can protect your HVAC equipment, reduce repair needs, and lengthen system life.
Addressing Relative Humidity
The relative humidity in your home can be somewhat controlled by running your HVAC system. Most homes require additional equipment to maintain a relative humidity level between 30% and 50%. High levels of humidity can result in higher levels of allergens in your indoor air, which increases symptoms. We recommend installing a whole-home dehumidifier on your HVAC system to address excess moisture. A whole-home humidifier can add moisture during dry times of the year, alleviating sinus and respiratory irritation.
You can monitor the humidity levels in your home using a hygrometer. Many smart thermostats come equipped with this technology, allowing you to monitor relative humidity from wherever you are. You can also use a smart thermostat to control your whole-home humidity-controlling devices remotely.
Routine HVAC Maintenance
Yearly inspection of your HVAC system, along with professional maintenance, is ideal. This appointment gives our team an opportunity to inspect and clean various components, lubricate moving parts, and make repairs. Without this maintenance, your HVAC system may struggle and experience strain. This can affect your indoor air quality negatively, exacerbating your allergies.
In addition to routine maintenance, reach out to our team if you notice anything that seems wrong with your HVAC system. Things like poor airflow, lack of warm or cool air, and an increase in your monthly energy bills can indicate something is amiss. HVAC issues can affect your indoor air quality, which can make it difficult to manage your fall allergies.
UV Light Technology
If you’re concerned about mold spores, bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens in your indoor environment, consider using a UV light. This light can be installed on your HVAC system. As air passes through your HVAC system, microorganisms will be exposed to UV-C light. This damages them at a cellular level, so they cannot harm you or cause an allergic reaction. You will need to periodically clean your UV light and replace the bulb.
Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
We mentioned that many smart thermostats can monitor the relative humidity in your home. These devices are sometimes equipped with air quality sensors. You’ll receive real-time data that helps you assess the levels of allergens in your home. You can then adjust your HVAC settings or air filtration equipment as needed.
HVAC Zoning Benefits
If you have a zoned HVAC system, you can control different areas independently. This can improve comfort and reduce energy use. However, it’s also great for allergy sufferers. You can adjust your settings to address areas of the home that require precise filtering or balancing of air. You can also use better filtration in specific areas like bedrooms, where symptom management matters most.
If anyone is living in your home who is more susceptible to allergies or respiratory illnesses than others, zoning could be beneficial. You can use this setup to minimize the spread of dander or dust. If you allow pets to roam in certain areas but not others, zoning can reduce the spread of allergens.
Upgrading Your HVAC Equipment
If your HVAC system is nearing the end of its useful life, it may no longer be effective for allergy relief. Consider upgrading to a new setup to better support indoor air quality during the fall and throughout the year. We can help you choose equipment based on indoor air quality needs, the number of people living in your home, your budget, insulation levels, and comfort preferences. Choosing an upgraded model may allow you to use more restrictive filters.
Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. can help you improve the quality of the air inside your Nashua home. We offer a variety of indoor air quality services, including the installation of purification equipment. Reach out to our team at Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. in Nashua to schedule an appointment.
