Heater Sickness – Why Your Heating System May Be Triggering Your Allergy Symptoms & How to Tackle This Issue

You are nestled comfortably on the couch, basking in the cozy atmosphere created by your heating system, when suddenly, the onset of sneezing and coughing interrupts your peace. For many homeowners, these symptoms are all too familiar upon turning on the HVAC unit. But what exactly triggers this discomfort? Surprisingly, you may be experiencing something called heater sickness.

While winter often brings its fair share of seasonal illnesses like the common cold, flu, allergies, or even coronavirus, the dry, hot environment created by constant heating can exacerbate respiratory problems.

This blog will explore what exactly heater sickness is and the practical steps you can take to breathe more comfortably this winter.

Can Your Heater Make You Sick?

The term ‘heater sickness’ isn’t a recognized medical condition, but it refers to a collection of symptoms people may experience due to the effects of using a heating system. You may feel drained and achy when your heating unit is operating.

It’s important to keep in mind that your heating system itself cannot directly cause sickness; however, it can certainly contribute to that due to various factors. When dry air from your HVAC system is combined with high exposure to indoor air pollutants, it can make you feel under the weather.

Related: Can Air Conditioning Make You Sick? Here’s the Truth

Let’s look in detail at some of the main reasons why your heating unit might be making you sick:

1. Poor Indoor Air Quality

To keep the heat inside, many people keep their windows shut during the winter season. However, this can lead to a decline in indoor air quality as pollutants tend to accumulate in your home over time. Indoor air pollutants may include pet fur and dander, dust, mold or fungi, cigarette smoke, and harmful chemicals from cleaning products.

Without adequate ventilation, they remain trapped indoors, unable to be expelled from the air, thus persistently posing health risks. Moreover, if you have multiple occupants and you don’t have any proper ventilation systems, carbon dioxide levels can rise, resulting in symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and a general feeling of discomfort.

To make matters worse, when your heating system is turned on, it can stir up and circulate dust and allergens that have settled in the environment. This is particularly true for forced air heating systems that use fans or blowers to distribute warm air. Inhaling airborne particles like dust mites, pet dander, or mold spores can trigger allergic reactions or exacerbate existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or allergies. In poorly ventilated areas, heating units can also create warm, moist environments that promote mold growth, which can also trigger your allergy.

Related: Sick Building Syndrome: Here’s Why You Feel Sick Inside

2. Pollen Buildup in Vents

Trees typically release pollen in early spring, while grasses do so in late spring and summer.

It’s logical to assume that colder weather would bring relief from pollen allergies. However, this is only sometimes the case. When heating units such as furnaces remain inactive in spring and summer, pollen can accumulate in the heating vents. Subsequently, when the heater is turned on in winter, it disperses accumulated pollen into the home, rekindling seasonal allergy symptoms that were previously thought to have subsided.

3. Lack of HVAC Maintenance

Not focusing on preventative HVAC maintenance can lead to dust and debris accumulation in the filters, ducts, and vents. When the system operates, these allergens are released into the air, causing allergic reactions.

Poorly maintained heating systems also facilitate mold growth. The mold spores released into the air can worsen respiratory issues. Additionally, neglected gas heaters can pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be life-threatening.

Pest infestations may arise in neglected heating systems, attracting creatures like rodents or insects. These pests leave behind allergens, such as droppings or skin particles, which can provoke various health issues.

4. Low Humidity Levels

During winter, humidity levels decrease because cold air holds less moisture compared to warm air. When your heating system heats the air, it further dries it out.

The linings of your upper respiratory tract, such as the nose and throat, are typically coated with moist membranes. Low humidity causes these membranes to become excessively dry. This compromises their ability to effectively filter out dust, viruses, and bacteria, making it easier for these harmful particles to enter the lungs and cause respiratory issues. Dry winter air can also stimulate the part of the vagus nerve that lines the throat, leading to coughing.

5. Dust Is Difficult to Filter out in Winter

Particle pollution encompasses tiny solid or liquid particles, such as dust and dirt. Over time, these particles accumulate and become heavy enough to settle on surfaces. Moisture is essential for binding these particles together, aiding in their cohesion. However, during winter, the air tends to be drier, contributing to lower humidity levels. With reduced air moisture, dust particles struggle to clump together, especially the finer ones. As a result, these smaller particles linger in the air for longer periods and may evade capture by air filters. This compromises indoor air quality, contributing to potential health issues.

Heater Sickness Symptoms

The symptoms of a viral infection and heater sickness can overlap. To know what exactly is happening, you can go for medical tests to rule out cold, flu, allergy, or COVID. If you test negative but still feel ill, try going out of your home for a half-hour walk in the park. If you start feeling a little better, it indicates that the problem is within your home environment.

Here are some of the main symptoms of heater sickness:

• Headache: Inhaling mold and dust particles, as well as the odors they emit, often leads to headaches. Additionally, faulty gas furnaces may release small amounts of carbon monoxide, which can cause similar symptoms.
• Nausea: Experiencing a sense of nausea or sickness in the vicinity of the heater.
• Itchy and/or Watery Eyes: Dry air and dust can also provoke allergic reactions, leading to itchy or watery eyes.
• Flu-like Symptoms: Onset of symptoms resembling the flu, including body aches and chills, associated with heater exposure.
• Itchy Nose & Sneezing: Breathing in allergens like dust, pollen, and mold can trigger nasal irritation and sinus congestion, resulting in an itchy nose, sneezing, and coughing.
• Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or fatigue that seems to coincide with heater use.
• Dehydration: Increased thirst or mouth dryness.

What Can You Do to Combat Heater Sickness?

Here is a list of effective measures to prevent heater-related health issues, allowing you to enjoy a warm and cozy home without compromising your well-being.

1. Focus on HVAC Maintenance

Regular HVAC tune-ups are crucial for ensuring a healthy indoor environment. Over time, dust and debris tend to accumulate within heating systems, compromising the quality of indoor air. When neglected, these contaminants are circulated throughout the living space, contributing to respiratory issues and general discomfort.

Regularly clean or replace filters as they act as the first line of defense against indoor air pollutants. Consider investing in HEPA filters to combat heater sickness. They are one of the most efficient types of filters for HVAC units. They can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including dust, mold, pollen, pet dander, viruses, smoke particles, and bacteria.

Alongside simple DIY tasks, it’s important to schedule annual professional maintenance for your HVAC system. This involves a comprehensive inspection carried out by certified technicians to ensure all components are working efficiently. They will check your thermostat to see if it’s functioning properly and also clean your ducts, which is highly important to help circulate clean air throughout your home.

2. Invest in an Air Purifier

Exposure to dirty or dry heater air can lead to issues like throat irritation and aggravated sinuses, and it may even trigger asthma attacks. Investing in an air purifier can be a proactive measure to improve indoor air quality. Air purifiers function by filtering out common allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores, offering relief to allergy sufferers and contributing to a healthier living environment. Some models also feature HEPA filters, known for their exceptional ability to capture even the tiniest airborne particles.

3. Maintain Adequate Humidity Levels

Dry winter air tends to draw moisture from your body, leading to dryness of the skin and the mucus membranes lining your nose, throat, and eyes. When these mucus membranes become dry, they make you more vulnerable to illness caused by airborne particles like allergens, viruses, and bacteria.

This is where humidifiers can help. They can help you achieve ideal winter humidity levels of 30-50% and prevent dry skin and allergies.

Handy Tip: Consider pairing your whole house humidifier with a smart thermostat. This allows for automated control, ensuring optimal moisture levels without manual adjustments. For portable humidifiers, you can utilize Cielo Breez smart AC controllers, provided they come with an IR remote. By pairing these controllers with your humidifier, you can enjoy the convenience of automated operation based on your preferences, making it easier to maintain comfortable humidity levels throughout your home.

Related: Where to Put Humidifier in Your Home for Optimal Functioning?

4. Open Windows for Ventilation

Simply opening a window for as little as 5 minutes each day during winter can significantly enhance the air quality within your home. This practice allows stale air to exit and reduces the concentration of indoor air pollutants. Additionally, the introduction of cooler air can have a soothing effect on your nasal passages. Here’s a beginner’s guide to home ventilation.

5. Invest in Radiant Heating

Consider investing in a radiant heater if you’re frequently battling dust in your home. Unlike forced air heating systems that circulate air, radiant space heaters utilize a focused infrared radiation system to warm people and objects in a room without any air movement. This can help maintain a cleaner environment and reduce allergen exposure for sensitive individuals. Radiant floor heating is one of the common radiant heating types in which wires or pipes are embedded under the floor. Other options include radiant wall heating and radiant ceiling heating.

6. Dust & Vacuum More Frequently

Increasing the frequency of dusting and vacuuming is an effective strategy for controlling indoor air pollution. Utilize a damp cloth for dusting to capture and remove particles effectively. If available, opt for a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to trap even smaller allergens. Additionally, make it a habit to clean your curtains and bedding regularly to minimize the further accumulation of dirt and debris.

7. Explore Alternative Methods for Keeping Warm

If you live in an area that doesn’t experience freezing weather, you can employ various methods to keep warm without relying on a heater.

You can harness the power of the sun by allowing the sunlight to enter the home through strategically positioned south-facing windows. Here is a detailed guide about passive solar heating that can help you keep warm by relying solely on solar heat.

Additionally, insulate your windows by sealing gaps and cracks to prevent cold air from entering. Furthermore, consider cooking or baking, not only for a comforting meal but also to infuse your home with the heat generated by cooking appliances. You can also embrace the age-old practice of layering clothing to trap body heat and warm up your bedding by adding extra blankets or using a hot water bottle.

In Conclusion

Heater sickness presents a real concern for many individuals, potentially causing discomfort and health issues during the colder months. However, understanding the factors that contribute to heater-related illness allows you to take proactive steps in safeguarding your well-being. From ensuring regular HVAC maintenance to improving indoor air quality through proper ventilation and filtration, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort provided by your heating unit without compromising your health.