Asthma patients are particularly vulnerable to poor indoor air quality. Dust, mold, and other contaminants can cause wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and respiratory infections that could prove dangerous or life-threatening. However, depending on how well you maintain it, your HVAC system can worsen or reduce these symptoms. Below are some of the ways HVAC affects asthma.

3 Ways Your HVAC System Impacts Indoor Air Quality

1. Evaporator Coil 

Your air conditioner’s evaporator coil removes humidity from the air by causing water vapor to condense into droplets on the coil's cold surface. This is the same process that causes dew to form and glasses of ice water to sweat on warm days. However, your unit will then use the fans to blow the cool, dry air that emits from the cold coil back into your home. If the coil does not cool off the droplets, the air becomes more humid and stagnant, containing higher concentrations of allergens. 

Humidity also causes the nerves in your lungs to tighten the airways. For these reasons, air conditioning helps with asthma symptoms.

2. HVAC Filter

The furnace filter is your home's first line of defense against pollen, pet dander, dust, and other allergens that affect asthma symptoms. It removes contaminants before cycling the air through your home and prevents them from accumulating on the blower fan. Simultaneously, it improves the air you breathe. For best results, change the filter every 60 to 90 days, or even more frequently if your household contains pets or smokers.

3. Air Purifier

Many HVAC systems contain an air purification system in which fans force air through a series of filters, similar to the furnace filter. This system removes much of the dust, pollen, bacteria, and mold in the air that the first filter misses. Not only does it improve indoor air quality, but it also lessens the amount of vacuuming and dusting you must do to keep the house clean. 

If you're concerned about your home's indoor air quality, contact ABLE Heat & Cool in Troy, MO, for HVAC maintenance. They have been Lincoln County's premier HVAC contractor since 1982, offering furnace repairs and replacements, air conditioning services, heat pump repairs and installations, and more. Learn more about them on their website or call (636) 528-4794 for an indoor air quality consultation.