Ahhh. Fall..

Cooler weather. Crisp air. Less humidity. Leaves. Football. Allergies…

Wait.. what?

That’s right. Autumn is actually one of the worst times of the year for seasonal allergies.

As the summer humidity begins to lessen, the drier air gives way to the release of ragweed pollen. According to WebMD, 75% of people who suffer from springtime allergies (which is already a large number.. More than 50 million Americans have allergies) are also bothered by ragweed pollen.

Mold spores are not only a prominent allergen during the late Summer and early Fall, but also a serious health threat. We already know mold grows in moist places indoors such as basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, AC systems, and air ducts (the more a system runs, and during the Summer, they run a lot more often, condensation can build up in ducts, causing ideal conditions for mold to thrive).

Mold cultures are also known to grow outdoors in Autumn. Fall mornings bring with them lots of moisture and dew that just sits on beds of leaf litter in shady and wooded areas. Airborne mold spores can attach themselves to wet leaves and debris on the ground and grow cultures.

Both of these allergens have something in common. They are airborne spores, so that means that they can attach to your clothing, your pet’s fur/paws, your shoes, your hair, or even your children’s school backpacks. When they attach,  these nasty allergens get tracked into your home and can settle on your carpet, furniture, bedding, and your HVAC equipment.

While you have an air filter on your system, the average Walmart-bought filter is designed to catch 80% of particles measuring smaller than 3 microns and only 25% of those 3 to 10 microns and up. They are not impermeable, even if you have one of those pricier filters (especially if your filter is dirty).

Spores and particles that make it through the filter accumulate on your system’s coils, blower module, and ductwork. This buildup is detrimental to your system as it causes leaks in coils, burned out blower motors, and overheated compressors. Over time, particles that build up get spread around via your AC ducts, getting blown back into the air you breathe, which will keep you sneezing and sniffling.

So, knowing all the dangers floating around in your air this time of year, what can you do about it? The best solution is to have your ducts professionally cleaned. A once per year duct cleaning will help you attain peace of mind knowing you are not being exposed to harmful pollutants, and ensure that your equipment runs as efficiently as possible with the best quality of airflow.

Right now is the perfect time to ensure that you breathe easier during the Fall while also preparing yourself for the winter threat of dust mites. Dust mites are prominent allergens during the cold winter months and are spread the same way as pollen and mold spores. They cling to clothing, pets, your feet, etc and dwell in your carpets, sheets, furniture, etc. They can also be stirred up via your heating system.

Some other solutions include: getting rid of carpet flooring in favor of hardwood, tile, or laminate, changing your air filter regularly, keeping clothes and pets clean, and having the manufacturer-required semiannual maintenance (it is required to keep your equipment warranties valid) on your HVAC system in order to keep it running clean and efficiently. 

For more information on our expert duct work services or to book your Fall system safety check, call us at (864)-578-7575 or click “Get Started” on our website TODAY! God bless!