Spring brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, and allergies. Nasal sprays and antihistamines may help your itchy eyes and reduce your sneezing, but your cooling and heating system might be making your allergy symptoms worse. By focusing on the condition of your HVAC unit, you can clear the air that flows through your home. Here are four ways you can decrease your seasonal allergies.

How You Can Decrease Your Seasonal Allergies

1. Check Your Filter

The filter to your cooling and heating system should be replaced every three to six months. If the filter is not cleaned or replaced, then it will collect dust, pollen, and other allergens. When the unit is turned on, those allergens will get pushed through your air ducts and circulate through your house. If you aren’t due for a filter replacement and are still experiencing harsh allergies, check your filter to see if it needs cleaning or a premature replacement. 

2. Clear Your HVAC System of Debris

If you have an outdoor cooling and heating unit, it’s bound to attract debris. Clean the unit regularly throughout the season to ensure that excessive amounts of waste and dirt don’t circulate through the unit. 

3. Dust Often to Prevent Build Up

While vacuuming or dusting around your house during your cleaning routine, pay attention to your vents. Dust can collect in or around your vent and cause allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and sneezing.  

4. Check for Mold

Certain parts of your cooling and heating unit can collect moisture, which is the ideal environment for mold. It’s hard to detect mold at first, since some reactions to mold exposure can disguise itself as allergies. Consult a professional about which parts would collect the most moisture and then regularly make sure mold does not grow in those areas.   

For possible allergy relief, call Arctic Mechanical Heating & Cooling, located in Port Chester, NY. These Mitsubishi Elite Diamond Contractors™ have spent the last two decades providing cooling and heating units to both residential and commercial properties. With a free in-home estimate, they can set up an HVAC unit that will make you comfortable all year round. For more information about their affordable maintenance plans, go to their website or call (914) 934-8301.