Fall arrives in the DFW metroplex with cooler weather and colorful leaves. Your allergies get worse. You sneeze more. Your eyes itch. Your nose runs constantly.
Your HVAC system might be making it worse. It can spread allergens throughout your entire home instead of filtering them out. A dirty system blows pollen, mold, and dust into every room.
Here’s how fall allergens damage your HVAC system and what you can do to fix it.
Common Fall Allergens in North Texas
Fall in North Texas brings several allergens:
- Ragweed pollen
- Mold spores from fallen leaves and wet weather
- Dust mites that love warm indoor spaces
- Pet dander from spending more time inside
These allergens make you feel miserable. They attack your HVAC system too and make it work harder.
How Allergens Damage Your HVAC System
Clogged Air Filters
Your HVAC filter catches pollen, dust, and pet dander. When the filter gets packed with allergens, air can’t flow through easily. Your system has to work harder to push air. This wastes energy and drives up your electric bill.
A clogged filter stops doing its job. New allergens blow right past it into your home.
Replace your filter every 30 to 60 days during fall. Buy HEPA or high-MERV rated filters that catch more allergens.
Dirty Ductwork
Dust, pollen, and mold collect inside your ducts. You can’t see this buildup because it’s hidden behind your walls and ceiling. Your system blows these allergens into your rooms every time it runs.
Dirty ducts make your allergies worse at home. They reduce how well your system works too.
Get professional duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. Schedule it sooner if you did renovations or your allergies got worse indoors.
Humidity Problems
Fall weather in Texas changes a lot. Some days are humid. Other days are dry. High humidity causes mold to grow in your ducts and on your coils. Low humidity dries out your nose and throat. This makes you more sensitive to allergens.
Your HVAC system can’t control humidity well when it’s dirty or broken.
Install a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier. These keep your indoor moisture at healthy levels all year.
Dirty Coils and Blower Parts
Dust and pollen stick to your evaporator coils, condenser coils, and blower motor. This buildup makes your system less efficient. Your HVAC uses more electricity to heat or cool your home. Dirty parts can break down and cost you money to repair.
Schedule regular HVAC maintenance. Technicians clean these parts and check your airflow during tune-ups.
How to Allergy-Proof Your HVAC System
You can’t get rid of fall allergens completely. You can stop them from taking over your home.
Change your air filters often. Use HEPA or high-MERV filters rated between 11 and 13. These catch more allergens than cheap filters. Replace them every 30 to 60 days during fall.
Get fall HVAC maintenance. A technician cleans your coils, checks your blower, tests airflow, and finds problems before they get worse. This keeps your system running right.
Seal your ductwork. Leaky ducts suck in dust and allergens from your attic and crawl spaces. Sealing them keeps your air cleaner.
Add an air purifier. Whole-home air purifiers work with your HVAC to remove allergens, bacteria, and bad smells from your air.
Clean your ducts when needed. If you see more dust or your allergies get worse at home, your ducts probably need professional cleaning.
Get Help With Fall Allergies in Forney and the DFW Metroplex
Bolton Heating & Air offers fall HVAC tune-ups that keep your system running smoothly. We help you breathe easier too. We upgrade filters, inspect ducts, clean system parts, and allergy-proof your home for the season.
Call now or book online to schedule your fall HVAC maintenance.
Stop letting allergens ruin your comfort at home. Get clean, healthy air all season long.