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High Pollen Counts Can Affect IAQ and Your HVAC System’s Performance

How to Reduce Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Indoor Air

It’s pollen season in Carrollton, GA, which means you may be suffering from an increase in allergy symptoms. You might think of your home as a refuge from the pollen, but it can easily get in through your windows and doors, and possibly your ventilation system. Pollen’s effect on your home’s indoor air quality is considerable, and it can even wreak havoc on your HVAC system’s performance.

Pollen’s Effects on Indoor Air Quality

Once pollen is in your home, most of it quickly settles onto surfaces. However, grass pollen can break into tiny fragments, which will stay suspended in the air. Disturbing the pollen will also send it back into your home’s air. When you breathe pollen into your lungs, it can trigger an allergic reaction or exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Impact of Pollen on HVAC Performance

When pollen is brought in by your HVAC system, it settles on the unit’s surfaces. Pollen buildup on the evaporator coil reduces the refrigerant’s ability to transfer heat out of your home. When pollen settles on the condenser coil, it impedes the coil’s ability to release heat. The buildup can lead to overheating of the air conditioner. If this trips the high limit switch, your air conditioner may shut down.

Remove Pollen From Your Home’s Air

According to Berkeley Lab, the best way to remove pollen from your home’s air is through better filtration. Your HVAC air filter can trap pollen as well as many other allergens. Check the filter weekly when pollen counts are high, suggests the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. As soon as the disposable HVAC air filter is filled with debris, replace it. The new filter will help you breathe easier, and it will also boost your air conditioner’s efficiency by up to 15%.

To learn more about how high pollen counts affect indoor air quality, take a look at Merrell & Associates’ indoor air quality services, or contact us today.

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