What to Know
- Dust, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens can enter your home through microscopic cracks or gaps around doors and windows.
- Upgraded HVAC filters with MERV 11 to 13 ratings have tight weaves that trap allergens and prevent them from spreading throughout your home.
- Installing germicidal UV lights inside your HVAC system and ductwork kills allergens as they pass through, improving your indoor air quality.
- Thermo Direct installs UV lights, HVAC air purifiers, and advanced air filtration systems for your home that improve air quality, reduce allergy symptoms, and keep your family healthy.
Why Spring Allergies Follow You Indoors (Even When the Windows Are Closed)
Spring days in North Carolina bring sunny weather, blooming flowers, and breezy mornings. However, they also bring pollen, mold, and other allergens that leave you sneezing, congested, and itchy. Even if your home seems well-sealed, these microscopic particles can easily enter and settle inside through small cracks, gaps, and ventilation openings.
Pollen grains range from 10 to 100 microns in size, allowing them to pass through window screens and imperfect seals around doors and vents. If your home has negative air pressure from leaky ducts, it can act as a vacuum and suck in these contaminants from outside. Combine that with pollen attached to your clothes, skin, and pets after spending time outside, and your house can become a hotspot for allergens.
Thankfully, upgraded HVAC filters for allergies and UV lights can trap these particles and keep your home healthy during the spring season. Explore the best tools for fighting spring allergens and what you can expect during installation with Thermo Direct.
Your HVAC System Might Be Spreading Allergens. Here’s How Better Filters Stop It
Without proper maintenance and filtration, your HVAC system can accumulate and spread dust, pet dander, and other allergens throughout your home. Dirty or clogged filters, contaminated ductwork, and excess moisture create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which worsen allergy symptoms and reduce HVAC performance.
Upgrading to a high-efficiency air filter helps trap these tiny particles and improve your home’s air quality. Filters with a MERV rating of 11 to 13 have tighter weaves than standard filters, helping them capture even the tiniest of particles. Many use a static charge to trap pollen, dust, and pet dander before they circulate throughout your home.
Choosing the Right HVAC Filter for Allergy Season
Pleated HVAC filters with MERV ratings of 11 to 13 are the best HVAC filters for allergies. These HVAC filters for pollen, mold spores, and pet dander capture allergens without restricting your HVAC airflow or efficiency. Pleated designs also offer better particle capture than fiberglass options and last longer before needing replacement.
During spring allergy season, changing these filters every one to three months helps reduce buildup and prevent clogs from affecting your HVAC system. If you have severe indoor air quality allergies or asthma, more frequent changes help maintain proper airflow and indoor air quality.
How UV Lights Turn Your HVAC System Into an Air Purifier
UV light HVAC installation neutralizes mold, bacteria, and microbes inside your system. Installing UVC germicidal lamps inside your ductwork or near the evaporator coil destroys the DNA of microorganisms as they pass through, creating a continuous cleaning process that turns your HVAC system into an air purifier.
Some of the top benefits of HVAC UV light include reduced allergens, improved indoor air quality, and protection against respiratory illnesses and irritants.
Signs Your Home’s Air Quality Is Making Allergies Worse
While it’s not uncommon for North Carolina residents to start sneezing or experiencing symptoms when walking outside during allergy season, sometimes your home’s air quality can make your symptoms even worse when you head indoors. A few signs that your indoor air quality is worsening your allergy symptoms include:
- Allergies, headaches, and asthma symptoms that improve when you’re away from home.
- Constantly sneezing, congestion, or itching when inside.
- A large buildup of dust on surfaces and air filters.
- Musty or stale odors throughout your home.
- Excessively humid or stuffy air.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Adding UV Lights or Upgrading Air Filtration?
The cost to add UV lights or upgrade your HVAC air filtration depends on the system type, the labor required, and the condition of your equipment. Coil sanitizing lights are often less expensive than air sanitizing or duct systems, but can be less effective at removing allergens. Larger HVAC systems over five tons may also require more complex or higher-wattage installations, which can drive up costs.
Professional installation can be charged by the hour or for a set fee, but may increase if additional electrical work is needed or your HVAC system is hard to access. Ongoing maintenance fees also add to your long-term costs, with replacement bulbs needed every one to two years.
What To Expect When Installing UV Lights or Air Purification in Your HVAC System
Hiring a professional to install UV lights for your HVAC system is typically a quick, one- to two-hour process. Thermo Direct technicians often begin with a thorough system inspection and cleaning, wiping down the coil and air handler to provide direct exposure for the germicidal lamps. We then install the UV lights, upgrade the air filter, and add any additional components needed to improve airflow and minimize allergens.
Once the installation is complete, your technician tests the system to confirm everything’s working properly and offers maintenance tips for replacing the bulbs and filters.
Financing Indoor Air Quality Upgrades for a Healthier Home
Upgrading your home’s indoor air quality shouldn’t break the bank. At Thermo Direct, we offer flexible financing options that help you fit UV lights and filter upgrades into your budget. Our partnerships with Goodleap and Synchrony Financial allow you to split your costs into management monthly payments that work for your lifestyle. Simply apply online to receive a personalized payment plan for your HVAC improvements.
Why Raleigh Homeowners Trust Thermo Direct for Allergy Relief Solutions
Since 2000, our HVAC technicians have been helping Raleigh residents keep their homes clean, healthy, and comfortable throughout the seasons. Whether it’s a UV light upgrade to provide HVAC allergy relief or an enhanced air filter to capture dust and airborne irritants, local homeowners know they can count on our team for fast, trusted solutions that stand the test of time.
Some of the top benefits of working with our team include:
- Highly trained, certified, and experienced HVAC technicians.
- 24/7 emergency availability.
- Seasonal specials and exclusive offers.
- Fast response times and easy scheduling.
- Home Comfort Memberships for year-round maintenance.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Raleigh Area Homes
We proudly offer HVAC services throughout North Carolina, including the following communities:
- Raleigh (27601, 27603, 27607)
- Cary (27511, 27513)
- Apex (27502)
- Holly Springs (27540)
- Wake Forest (27587)
Schedule an Indoor Air Quality Evaluation
Ready to kick allergy symptoms to the curb? Our certified technicians perform a thorough analysis of your HVAC system, ductwork, and indoor air quality to recommend tailored solutions that reduce allergens and create a healthier indoor environment. Whether it’s UV light installation, air filter upgrades, or a whole-home air purification, you can count on our team for solutions that help your family breathe easier year-round. Contact our team today to schedule an indoor air quality evaluation for your North Carolina home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are HEPA filters better than standard HVAC filters?
Even though HEPA filters capture more microscopic particles, they’re not ideal for residential HVAC systems. Their design can restrict airflow and place excessive strain on your system, leading to frequent repairs and early breakdowns.
Do UV lights prevent mold growth in my HVAC system?
Yes, germicidal UV lamps neutralize mold spores on your HVAC coils and inside your ductwork to prevent mold buildup and the spread of allergens. UV lights can also help reduce musty odors, keeping your home’s air fresh and clean.
Do I need UV lights and an upgraded filter?
Installing UV lights and upgrading your HVAC filter is the best way to eliminate allergens and improve indoor air quality. Filters capture dust, pollen, and pet dander, while UV lights target microbes that filters can’t catch, creating a two-step system for healthier indoor air.
