The Impact of HVAC Systems on Allergies and Asthma: How to Breathe Easier at Home

If you or your family members suffer from allergies or asthma, your HVAC system could be a major factor in your indoor air quality and overall respiratory health. Dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other airborne pollutants can circulate through your home if your HVAC system isn’t properly maintained or equipped with the right filtration and air purification solutions. By understanding how your heating and cooling system affects air quality, you can take steps to reduce allergens and breathe easier inside your home.

How Your HVAC System Affects Indoor Air Quality

Your HVAC system does more than just heat and cool your home—it also plays a crucial role in air circulation and filtration. Every time your system runs, it pulls in air, conditions it, and redistributes it throughout your home. If your filters, ducts, or ventilation system aren’t maintained properly, you could be spreading allergens instead of trapping them.

✔ Dirty air filters allow allergens to circulate
✔ Poor ventilation traps pollutants indoors
✔ Mold and dust buildup in ducts worsen air quality
✔ High humidity encourages mold and dust mites

Understanding these factors can help homeowners reduce allergens in their homes and make their HVAC system part of the solution instead of the problem.

5 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality & Reduce Allergens

1. Upgrade to High-Efficiency HVAC Filters

Not all air filters are created equal. Many standard filters only trap large dust particles and fail to catch smaller allergens like pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. To improve air quality, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency filter, such as a MERV 13-rated filter or a HEPA filter. These filters can capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles, significantly reducing allergy and asthma triggers in your home.

Pro Tip: Change your air filter at least every 1-3 months to maintain peak filtration efficiency.

2. Keep Your Ductwork Clean & Well-Maintained

Over time, dust, pet hair, mold spores, and other contaminants can accumulate inside your ductwork. When your HVAC system runs, these allergens can circulate through your home, triggering allergy symptoms. Scheduling professional duct cleaning every few years can help remove these contaminants and improve overall air quality.

Pro Tip: Leaky ducts can also draw in dust, mold, and insulation particles from crawl spaces and attics—sealing ductwork helps keep these pollutants out.

3. Control Humidity Levels with a Dehumidifier

In New Orleans' humid climate, excess moisture in your home creates the perfect environment for mold growth and dust mites—two major triggers for allergies and asthma. Your HVAC system helps regulate humidity, but in extreme conditions, adding a whole-home dehumidifier can provide extra control and keep humidity levels between 50-60%, reducing allergen growth.

Pro Tip: A dehumidifier also helps your HVAC system run more efficiently, saving energy while improving air quality.

4. Invest in an Air Purifier or UV Light System

Even with high-quality filters, some allergens and airborne bacteria can still circulate in your home. Advanced air purification systems—such as the REME HALO® or Air Scrubber—can help remove these contaminants. Additionally, UV light systems installed in your HVAC system can kill mold, bacteria, and viruses on your evaporator coil, preventing them from spreading.

Pro Tip: UV lights installed near your evaporator coil help keep mold and mildew from growing inside your HVAC system, a common problem in humid areas.

5. Ensure Proper Ventilation & Fresh Air Circulation

If your home is tightly sealed, pollutants can build up indoors without a way to escape. Adding ventilation solutions like an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) allows fresh air to circulate without wasting energy, keeping indoor air quality high while maintaining home efficiency.

Pro Tip: Opening windows occasionally can help, but a ventilation system is a better long-term solution, especially during allergy season.

Signs Your HVAC System May Be Worsening Allergy Symptoms

If you notice these signs, your HVAC system may be contributing to poor air quality:

✔ Increased sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes indoors
✔ Excess dust buildup on surfaces, even after cleaning
✔ Musty or damp smells, indicating mold growth
✔ Inconsistent airflow or stale, stagnant air
✔ Frequent allergy flare-ups inside your home

If these issues sound familiar, it may be time for an HVAC system inspection and air quality assessment.

Breathe Easier with Air Orleans’ Indoor Air Quality Solutions

At Air Orleans, we specialize in HVAC solutions that improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens in your home. Whether you need high-efficiency air filters, duct cleaning, dehumidifiers, or advanced air purification systems, we can recommend the best options for your needs.

📞 Call us today at 504.407.1677 or 📧 email us at support@airorleans.com to schedule an HVAC inspection and start breathing cleaner, healthier air!