San Antonio homeowners know the drill: we don’t only battle heat, winters in San Antonio can bring cedar fever, and year-round humidity feeds dust, mold, and indoor allergens. Please read our guide for HVAC solutions that can help monitor air quality in San Antonio and help you stay away from indoor allergens.

Quick reality check: what’s actually going on in San Antonio

• Mountain cedar (aka “juniper”) pollen is a big local problem. Mountain cedar pollen in the San Antonio area typically spikes in December–February, often peaking in January. Local forecasts and pollen trackers show a pronounced winter spike that can create severe short-term allergy burdens for sensitive residents.
• “Cedar fever” is a true allergic response. Symptoms are the same kinds of allergic rhinitis you’d expect, itchy/watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, cough and many San Antonians experience intense symptoms during mountain cedar season. Over-the-counter meds help many people; others need stronger care.
• Mold and dampness are year-round hazards in a humid subtropical climate. San Antonio’s average humidity and periodic wet seasons create conditions where indoor moisture problems lead to mold growth and mold exposure causes allergic and respiratory symptoms in susceptible people. 

HVAC & IAQ solutions that actually help with indoor air quality

1) Keep your HVAC properly maintained (big single-action impact)

Why: Dirty coils, clogged drains, and neglected filters reduce system efficiency and become allergy reservoirs (mold growth on coils, recirculated dust/pollen).
Actionable steps (local seasonal timing):

• Pre-cedar season tune-up (late Nov – early Dec): clean coils, check condensate drain, check refrigerant & airflow, verify fresh-air damper operation.
• Monthly: check the return and furnace/air handler filters; replace or clean as needed.
• Annually: professional inspection of ducts and condensate pans for mold, plus duct sealing if leaks are found.

These maintenance actions reduce the sources of indoor allergens and help filtration/UV systems perform as intended. We at Leaky’s do have annual membership plans that you can opt for to help out with regular air quality monitoring and help save cost.

2) Upgrade filtration — MERV rating vs “HEPA”

What the science says:

• HEPA filters (true HEPA) remove ≥99.97% of particles 0.3 μm (the “worst-case” particle size) and are highly effective at removing pollen and fine particulates from air that passes through them. This is why HEPA filters are the most recommended for airborne particles.
• Clinical and meta-analytic studies show that portable HEPA air cleaners and properly implemented filtration strategies reduce indoor particulate matter and can decrease exposure to pollen, pet dander, and PM2.5, although symptom reduction for every patient varies and depends on proper sizing, placement, and combined measures.

Practical HVAC advice for your home:

• If your central HVAC can accept a high-MERV filter (MERV-13 recommended where the system blower can handle it), upgrade there to capture smaller particles upstream. You can request inspection from our HVAC tech to confirm whether your fan can handle a higher MERV without causing pressure/airflow problems or not.
• For rooms where people spend most time (bedrooms, living room), add a portable HEPA air purifier sized for the room’s square footage. Run at higher fan speeds during cedar season and while cleaning. Replace pre-filters/HEPA cartridges per manufacturer guidance (typically 6–12 months, depends on load). 

3) Use UV-C on coils/inside ductwork to reduce biological growth

Evidence & mechanism:

• Installing germicidal UV-C lamps aimed at HVAC coils and drain pans reduces microbial load on surfaces (mold, bacteria) and prevents fouling that would otherwise release spores into the air or reduce system efficiency. Multiple HVAC industry whitepapers and field studies support UV-C’s role in keeping coils cleaner and lowering microbial growth in HVAC systems. 

Note: UV-C reduces biological growth on surfaces, it does not “filter out” pollen in the same way HEPA does.

Practical points:

• Use UV-C as part of a package: clean coils, fix leaks/drain issues, and add UV-C. Don’t rely on UV-C alone to solve a moisture or filtration problem. Hire qualified HVAC techs to size and install UV systems safely. 

4) Control humidity to prevent mold and reduce dust mite allergens

Why it matters:

• Dust mites and some molds thrive in higher indoor relative humidity. Controlling indoor RH below ~50% helps make the environment less hospitable to mites and mold growth. CDC and public-health guidance mentions that  indoor dampness and mold can lead to increased respiratory symptoms.

Post covid times, this has become a lot more important to check because immunity has weakened for many people and made them prone to respiratory issues.

How can you control humidity in your home?

• Use the AC properly (it’s your dehumidifier). During very humid days, run the fan only when dehumidifying or use HVAC settings that promote dehumidification cycles.
• For persistent indoor humidity problems, consider a whole-house dehumidifier integrated with your HVAC system or targeted dehumidifiers for problem spaces (crawl spaces, basements). Make sure to fix leaks and improve ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens so that there is no water spillage that can increase humidity. 

5) Targeted cleaning & behavior tweaks that improve IAQ (low cost, high ROI)

• Vacuum with a HEPA-equipped vacuum, especially during pollen season.  Pollen tracked in on shoes/clothes settles fast and becomes a recurring source of exposure if not removed.
• Close windows during high pollen days (track local pollen counts via services and local weather outlets – Ref: https://www.iqair.com/pollen/usa/texas/san-antonio). Run HVAC’s fresh-air intake less during peak outdoor pollen events and rely on filtration/recirculation instead.
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water during cedar season to remove pollen/dust-mite allergen buildup. 

Quick decision guide for San Antonio homeowners

• Mild seasonal allergies / budget constraints: Start with strict cleaning, higher-MERV central filter (if compatible), and a portable HEPA in the bedroom.
• Moderate to severe symptoms (cedar fever, mold sensitivity): Add a professional HVAC tune-up pre-cedar season, consider UV-C for coil/mold control, and use room HEPA purifiers in sleeping/primary living spaces. Consult an allergist if OTC meds don’t control symptoms. 

San Antonio’s unique allergy calendar (mountain cedar in winter) plus seasonal humidity means a multi-layer approach works best: source control (cleaning, moisture fixes), filtration (MERV upgrades + HEPA purifiers), mechanical cleanliness (HVAC maintenance + UV-C where appropriate), and behavior (close windows, vacuum with HEPA, wash bedding). You can always call our San Antonio’s indoor air quality experts to come for a free home inspection and suggest a plan that can ensure you breathe clean air year round inside your home.

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