3 Pro Tips for Beating Spring Allergies at Home
With the warmer weather, longer days, and beautiful greenery of spring comes one other change that’s not so welcome - the onslaught of allergy season. The sneezing, the sniffles, the congestion, the itchy eyes; sometimes it all seems overwhelming and impossible to avoid. But while most people stay indoors and shut the doors and windows to avoid the pollen and blowing dust of breezy spring days, they’re making matters worse.
The truth is, allergens and air pollutants are in relatively low concentration when they’re kicking around in the great outdoors. When they make their way indoors and become trapped, they start to cause problems for people. Those who suffer from pesky seasonal allergies can give themselves a fighting chance at relief by improving their indoor air quality with these three easy steps.
Don’t Allow Dust To Hang Around
The first step toward better air quality is keeping the house clean and free of dust buildup. People produce a lot of dust in the course of everyday life. Dead skin cells, hairs, clothing fibers, and dirt and pollen tracked in from outside all pile up pretty fast. Pet hair and dander accumulate even faster.
When all this dust and debris collects on surfaces in the house, it can get whipped up by the slightest movement and then inhaled. Homeowners can help keep these pollutants to a minimum by sweeping and mopping, dusting hard surfaces with a microfiber cloth or other dust-grabbing material, and vacuuming carpets, rugs, and upholstery every one to two weeks. It’s also a good idea to washcloth curtains every two months or so, as they can harbor plenty of dust.
Open Windows and Let the Breeze Help Air Circulation
Next, it’s important to keep a regular supply of fresh air in the home. HVAC systems typically don’t bring in any outside air but instead circulate and recycle the air already in the house. This means that pollutants and allergens can reach very high levels of concentration indoors. Breathing in all that stale, pollutant-laden air is sure to trigger an unpleasant respiratory response.
Opening a few windows is a great way to create a current and refresh the home’s air supply. This works best on sunny, breezy days. Even an hour or two can replace most of the home’s air. But remember to keep the screens closed to avoid getting an influx of bugs with all that fresh air!
Replace or Clean the Air Filters Regularly
The last and perhaps most obvious step is to make sure the HVAC air filters are always clean. A filter choked with dust will constrict airflow and fail to stop the excess particulate matter from entering the unit and being blown all over the house. Replacing the filters every 3 months is a good baseline, but some homes (such as those with multiple pets) may require more frequent change-outs.
Those with non-disposable electrostatic filters are not exempt from the timeline. These filters need to be cleaned every 3 months or less, depending on the level of dust in the house. Following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions is a must to avoid damaging the filter - unless the homeowners prefer to let a pro handle it.
About ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc.
ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc. has served Yakima, WA with pride for over 30 years. Their friendly, punctual technicians are highly trained and background-checked, so each customer can rest easy. This team offers 24/7 emergency service and backs every job with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call now for air quality services!
