Pollen, Dirt, and Indoor Air Quality – Is it time to give Your HVAC Unit, Air Conditioner, or Heat Pump a Tuneup?

Spring and early summer in North Carolina is synonymous with allergy season. But seeking refuge indoors from the torturous tiny particulates known as pollen isn’t the answer to avoiding problems. Pollen can easily pass through cracks around doors and windows, and even enter your ventilation system without proper system care and maintenance. These tiny particles can then be recirculated within your home or business causing allergies to flare up.

So, what is the effect of pollen on your HVAC unit, air conditioner, or heating/cooling system? When pollen is brought in by your HVAC system, it settles on the unit’s surfaces leading to a buildup of pollen on the evaporator coil which in turn 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.

What can you do? During periods of high pollen, check your air filter weekly and change filters if they look dirty. The new filter will help to minimize allergy symptoms, and it will also boost your air conditioner’s efficiency by up to 15%. It’s a good idea to have your unit serviced every spring to ensure it can hold up to the hot summer temps that are just around the corner. Give Apex Heating and Air a call today to schedule a routine maintenance check on your system, or reach out to us on our contact form.