When pollen, dust, and mold spores kick up during the springtime, it can lead to a tough allergy battle. Springtime blooms throughout Texas can blanket the landscape and cause a plethora of allergy symptoms. As a homeowner, there are some things you can do to properly prepare your cooling system to reduce your symptoms.
Why AC Preparation Is Key
Homeowners who have allergies typically react to oak and grass pollen that increases during the spring and early summer. At the peak of the warm, humid summer, mold spores can make your allergies even worse. While you might think that these allergies are only outside, that’s not actually the case. Pollen will land on your clothing and become easily tracked indoors. Furthermore, if you have pets that go outside, their fur can harbor these nasty airborne toxins.
Once these airborne pollutants get inside your home, your air conditioning system will recirculate them throughout your air. This is why it’s so vital to take proper preparations to ensure that your air conditioning system is capturing and removing these. A poorly maintained HVAC system won’t be capable of removing these trapped contaminants. Rather, they’ll simply circulate them, making your allergy symptoms even worse.
Get an HVAC Inspection
One of the best things you can do to prepare your home for allergy season is to get a professional HVAC inspection. During this inspection, our technicians will lubricate, inspect, and test all the internal components of your cooling system. This allows us to remove dirt and debris that can reduce performance and affect indoor air quality.
We’ll also ensure that the condensate drain line is open and the pan is free from any mold or other debris. This goes a long way in preventing unwanted moisture buildup that could lead to mold or mildew growth over the summer. Routine maintenance is also great for ensuring efficient and safe system operation.
Change Your Air Filter
The air filter inside your HVAC system is responsible for trapping unwanted airborne contaminants before they enter the inside of your system. It’s important to put in a new air filter at the beginning of the spring season so your unit can start filtering your air. It can be helpful to select a filter with a MERV rating between 11 and 13. While these do come at a more premium price than traditional pleated filters, they offer better filtering capabilities.
As a homeowner, it’s important to check the air filter for your air conditioner once a month. Most homeowners find they need to replace their filter every two to three months. You never want to continue running a system that has a dirty filter, as doing so could lead to poor air quality.
Inspect Your Vents and Condenser Unit
It’s a good idea to inspect all the vents throughout your home. You want to ensure that each vent is completely open and unobstructed from things like furniture or plants. If you notice any debris buildup on the grates of your vents or registers, it’s best to clean that off. You want to ensure that there’s adequate airflow in or out of the vent for optimal HVAC performance.
It’s also necessary to clean up around your outdoor condenser unit. Your condenser unit needs a good three feet of open space surrounding it. This allows for adequate distribution of heat and optimal system performance. If you notice any debris, like leaves or twigs, pushed up against your unit, you should remove it. Your HVAC system is then able to operate efficiently and more effectively filter your air to improve your air quality.
Ductwork Cleaning
If you have an AC system that relies on ductwork, that ductwork can develop a buildup of unwanted toxins. Items like pollen, dust, and mold spores can accumulate over the years and decrease your indoor air quality. It can be a good idea to invest in a ductwork cleaning service every three to five years. This is where our professionals will thoroughly clean the inside of your ducting to remove any debris buildup.
UV Air Purification System
If you’re serious about improving your indoor air quality, you may want to invest in a UV air purification system. This seamlessly integrates with your existing HVAC setup. It works to inactivate biological contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and mold. It works specifically by disrupting their DNA so they don’t reproduce and die off. This leads to cleaner and healthier air for you and your family to breathe in.
Extended Media Filter
Extended media filters can be a great option for homeowners who want better indoor air quality but don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on advanced indoor air quality solutions. These media filters get installed in your existing ductwork alongside your HVAC filter. They have more filtration components and can remove different types of contaminants. For example, many have activated carbon filters that remove unpleasant odors from your home.
Whole-Home Dehumidifiers
Because Texas City sits along the coast, it experiences more humid conditions throughout the summer months. Unfortunately, excess humidity not only makes your home uncomfortable but can also encourage toxic mold and mildew growth. Mold spores are one of the most common airborne allergens that can cause asthma and other respiratory symptoms.
One of the best ways to control excess humidity in your home is with a whole-home dehumidification system. This installs into your existing HVAC ductwork and removes excess moisture as air circulates through the system. You simply set whatever humidity level you want on your thermostat, and your dehumidifier will kick on whenever necessary.
Seal Up Air Leaks
One source of poor air quality you may not consider is air leaks in the exterior of your home. Air gaps that open up around your doors and window frames can allow airborne toxins from outside to easily enter your home. It’s a good idea to seal up these leaks to prevent unwanted air infiltration. You can do this using weather stripping, caulking, spray foam, or similar products.
Upgrade Your AC System
If your existing air conditioning system is over 15 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Modern systems have better technology that allows for more air filtration. Inverter technology, like variable speed blowers, allows your system to operate at a smaller capacity over a longer period of time.
For example, instead of turning on and running at 100% capacity, your system can run at, say, 50% capacity. By running longer cycles, your air conditioner is capable of filtering the air more often. The more often your system can filter the air, the more contaminants it can remove.
Ensuring Ongoing Air Quality
Once you set yourself up for having great air quality throughout the summer, it’s important to maintain it. There are some ongoing things you’ll need to keep in mind throughout the season. First is regularly checking your air filter and replacing it as necessary. It’s always a good idea to have an air filter on hand so you can do a replacement at the time you notice you need one.
Another great rule of thumb is to always run your indoor exhaust fans when you’re cooking or taking a shower. Both of these activities can allow excess humidity and airborne contaminants to enter your air without adequate ventilation. They could significantly reduce your air quality while increasing your indoor humidity level.
Reliable AC Maintenance Service
George’s Air Conditioning provides reliable AC maintenance service for the Texas City, TX area. We can also assist with all your AC installation, replacement, and repair needs. Simply call our office today to book your next service appointment with one of our skillful technicians.
