Unlike in some other parts of the country, there isn’t a single short window for allergy season in North Texas. Different types of pollen appear in massive waves at different times of the year. You first have to deal with pollen from cedar trees, followed by oak and then eventually ragweed later in the year. There’s obviously nothing you can do to combat pollen outside, but you can reduce how much of it circulates around your house by preparing your HVAC system before each type arrives. Here, we’ll provide a Texas allergy season timeline and discuss what steps you can take to reduce indoor allergens in your home.
Why Texas Allergy Season Feels Like It Lasts Most of the Year
Allergy season in many parts of the country is mostly an isolated spring event. However, the warmer Texas climate means that homeowners have to deal with multiple overlapping seasons throughout much of the year. The three biggest concerns in our area are cedar, oak, and ragweed pollen.
Cedar Season
Many people don’t associate colder weather with allergies, but cedar pollen can make winter miserable for allergy sufferers. Cedar allergy season in Texas typically starts in December and continues through February or early March. January is typically when the pollen count is highest, and you’re the most likely to experience severe symptoms.
Oak Season
Oak pollen in Texas tends to be a major problem, partly because of how many oak trees there are and also because of how much pollen each one releases. You’ll usually see some oaks starting to release visible clouds of pollen in late February. The peak season is in March and April, but some trees can continue producing pollen until June.
Ragweed Season
Ragweed pollen is mostly a concern from late summer to late fall, resulting in severe allergy symptoms that extend well beyond spring. The pollen count is typically highest from mid-morning to mid-afternoon on warmer, dry days.
A Simple Texas Allergy Season Timeline for Homeowners
In the following sections, we’ll provide a general timeline discussing the steps you should take to prep your HVAC for allergy season in advance of each type of pollen.
Winter: Prep for Cedar
Before cedar trees start releasing pollen in winter, you should check HVAC air filters and replace them if they’re starting to look dirty. Sealing any obvious duct leaks helps reduce the spread of indoor pollen around the house. You then want to continue monitoring for the remainder of the season to ensure your heating system isn’t circulating excess dust and allergens throughout the house.
Spring: Get Ready for Oak Pollen
Spring is the time when you can expect the heaviest pollen exposure, especially if you live in a neighborhood with numerous large oaks. High pollen counts cause air filters to clog more quickly, so you’ll want to check their condition more often. You also want to make sure to keep return air vents clean to improve ventilation and air circulation, and continue monitoring for any major indoor air quality concerns.
Late Summer Through Fall: Watch for Ragweed
By the time you encounter ragweed season in Texas, your HVAC system has been working hard for months to keep the house cool. The heavy workload means you’re more likely to encounter airflow issues due to dirty filters and neglected maintenance, which can make your allergy symptoms worse. The best way to avoid this is to make sure you keep up with the basic maintenance requirements throughout the summer cooling season and into fall.
How Pollen Gets Into Your Home Even When the Windows Stay Closed
Keeping windows closed is important for preventing huge amounts of pollen from getting inside the house. Nonetheless, quite a bit of pollen can still get tracked inside by shoes, clothing, and pets. Gaps around window and door openings, and other sources of air leaks, also increase indoor pollen issues.
Once pollen enters the home, your HVAC system can help capture it to keep the count down if the filters are clean, or if there’s poor air filtration, the system could just keep recirculating the pollen around the house and making your symptoms worse.
How to Prep Your HVAC System Before Each Allergy Wave
Take all of the following steps before the different allergy seasons arrive to cut down on indoor pollen and lessen the symptoms you experience at home.
Check and Replace the Air Filter on Schedule
A dirty, clogged filter can’t function as effectively, resulting in the HVAC system capturing less pollen. It also reduces incoming airflow, so the air in the house isn’t filtered as quickly or as efficiently. The general recommendation is to check and replace air filters every 60 to 90 days. During peak pollen seasons when the filter may clog more quickly, it’s a good idea to check its condition more frequently.
Inspect Vents and Returns for Dust Buildup
Dirty or obstructed supply and return vents reduce airflow, preventing the HVAC system from circulating and filtering the air effectively. As such, it’s important to check them regularly and clean them as necessary. Keeping all of the vents open also helps prevent the air in the house from feeling stale and stuffy.
Stay Current on HVAC Maintenance
Keeping up with preventive maintenance is crucial for ensuring your HVAC system properly moves air around the house and for avoiding potential performance issues during periods of peak cooling and heating demand. Ideally, you should have a professional technician service your air conditioning in the early spring and then service your heating in the fall.
Consider Added Air Quality Support
Taking the above steps to prepare your HVAC for pollen allergies isn’t always enough. Many households can greatly benefit from more advanced air quality solutions and equipment, especially when allergy symptoms are severe or persistent. At AirCo, we offer a range of effective indoor air quality solutions and air filtration systems, including air cleaners, air purifiers, and HEPA filters.
Signs Your HVAC System May Be Making Allergy Season Worse
Your HVAC system can be a huge help in combating indoor pollen, but it can also make your allergies worse if it’s old and in poor condition or not properly maintained. Some of the significant signs to watch for in this regard include:
- Excessive amounts of dust around vents and on surfaces
- Allergy symptoms worse than usual indoors
- Uneven temperatures around the house or stuffy rooms
- Weak airflow coming from vents
- Dirty and clogged air filters sooner than expected
It’s important to note that these signs don’t necessarily mean that your HVAC equipment is failing. However, they do indicate that you could benefit from more frequent filter replacements, a professional airflow evaluation, or indoor air quality upgrades.
What Helps Most During Texas Allergy Seasons
Regular HVAC maintenance and filter replacement can make a major difference in the amount of pollen that gets circulated around the house. It’s also important to try to limit the amount of pollen that gets tracked in by taking shoes off at the door, wiping off your pet’s feet when they come inside, and changing your clothes after coming in from outdoors. Whole-home air cleaning generally provides the most consistent and most effective results. Using a higher-quality filter when the pollen count is high also helps. If you’re not sure which replacement filter is right for your home, our knowledgeable team is here to help.
When to Call AirCo for Help With Allergy Season Prep
At AirCo, we’re ready to assist with all of your indoor air quality needs. Whether you’re dealing with weak airflow, aren’t sure which filter to use, or have persistent issues with severe allergies, we have the advice and solutions you need to breathe more easily. We offer professional indoor air quality and filtration services throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and can help you address pollen issues and other HVAC concerns.
Allergy season in Texas changes throughout the year, meaning your HVAC prep should also be seasonal so that you can stay on top of cedar, oak, and ragweed. To order replacement filters, explore your indoor air quality options, or get help preparing for the next pollen wave, contact the AirCo experts in Fort Worth today.
