Spring is famous for its great weather and beautiful foliage. However, it’s notorious for its high pollen count and the irritation allergies that come with it. Whether you live in Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Temecula, or anywhere else in the Inland Empire, receiving quality AC service can go a long way in reducing your seasonal allergies at home. Here are a few ways that air conditioning maintenance can help you reduce allergies and asthma this spring.

Invest in High-Quality Air Filters

If you’re prone to severe seasonal allergies or asthma triggered by pollen and poor air quality, it’s often beneficial to invest in a higher-quality air filter. All air filters come with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating, that indicates the filter’s ability to remove different size particles from the air. Some lower-grade filters can only remove the largest particles, whereas filters with the highest MERV ratings can remove the vast majority of particles from the air. Allergy sufferers should look for filters with a MERV rating of 8 or above, which means that they can remove particles as small as 3 microns from the air. High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, or HEPA filters, are another highly effective option that will remove up to 99.97% of contaminants and allergens from your home’s circulating air.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

No matter which filter you choose, it’s crucial that you replace it regularly in order to maintain a good air quality throughout your home. If you go too long without replacing your air filter, the filter will be clogged and won’t filter allergens as effectively as before. This can worsen allergies and increase your energy bill since your air conditioner is working inefficiently. Check your air filter every couple of weeks and replace it every 4-8 weeks as needed.

Clean Out Your Air Vents

When dusting your home, do you clean out your air conditioning vents? The vast majority of homeowners don’t, and this is what can lead to exacerbated allergies. When air sits in the vents, dust and debris will collect there. Once the AC is turned on and air begins to circulate through them, it will push this dust and debris out into your room and cause you to begin sneezing or suffering from other allergic reactions. When you’re dusting your shelves and knick knacks, make sure to dust inside your air vents as well.

Monitor Humidity Levels

Another dangerous allergen that could be lurking in your home is mold. Having mold in your home can aggravate allergies and other respiratory conditions, so it’s important to monitor your home’s humidity levels to prevent this possibility. Check for mold every few weeks in the moist parts of your HVAC system such as the evaporator coils or drip pan. If you don’t feel comfortable checking these intricate parts of your system yourself, call an AC repair expert to come out and inspect the unit for you. They can identify any early-stage issues that may need AC service down the line and repair them before they become costly or dangerous.

Scheduling routine air conditioner maintenance services is a highly effective way to keep your HVAC system in peak shape and help lessen your allergy symptoms. If you live in Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Temecula, or anywhere else in the Inland Empire, ProFlo offers comprehensive AC service from expert technicians, whether you need routine maintenance or extensive AC repair. Whatever the issue, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call today at (951) 821-5521 to schedule an appointment and receive a free estimate for your AC repair or maintenance.