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Spring is finally here! It’s been a crazy year and it’s hard to believe that we are back in the spring season. However, some of us dread this time of year because of seasonal allergies. Pollen, dust mites, and other allergens will be particularly prevalent over the next few months, but we don’t want that to put a damper on this time of year.
Luckily, as HVAC pros, we know that the average homeowner can actually do a lot to limit the number of allergens in their home. If you want your home to be a welcome reprieve from allergies, keep reading!
Air Filtration
Allergens can enter your home in a number of different ways. You can pick up pollen on your shoes and clothes in a short walk outside. Since we know allergens will find their way into your eventually, we want to capture them if possible once they do. This is where air filtration comes into play.
The standard air filters in your home are probably good enough to catch pollen and dust mites, but they need to be clean to do so. Over time, air filters get clogged up and caked with air pollutants and need to be replaced or clean, depending on the type. The general rule of thumb is to do this once a month, especially if you suffer from allergies or there is a smoker in the house. If allergies aren’t a big problem for you, you can wait two or even three months to replace them.
Many people don’t realize how poor their indoor air quality is until they change out their air filters. If switching out your air filters isn’t a part of your normal routine, give it a try and see how much of a difference it can make!
Spring Cleaning
As we mentioned earlier, you can carry allergens on your clothes and shoes from a brief walk outside. This is why you shouldn’t just rely on your air filters to catch allergens. You can also benefit from a deep cleaning of your home. Carpets and rugs can collect dust over time. Merely walking across them can kick up dust back into the air. As a result, you can have constantly stuffy air in your home.
Remember to vacuum your carpets as often as possible. It might be a good time of year to do some traditional spring cleaning and do a full dusting of your home as well. Don’t forget to clean out your floor vents as well!
Support Good Indoor Air Quality with Humidity
Airborne pollutants aren’t the only aspect of indoor air quality. It turns out that humidity has a huge impact as well! You want to keep the humidity level of your home between 30% and 40% if possible.
Dry air can be particularly frustrating for allergy sufferers. If you’re in a dry air environment, it can dry out the mucus in your throat and nose, making you more susceptible to allergies! If you wake up with allergy symptoms, it might be too dry in your home at night!
Cooking and having houseplants can make the air in your home more humid, so consider adding some greenery or cooking more to get your home’s air to the correct levels!
The team at Martin-Jetco is here to help with any of your HVAC needs. Whether it’s maintenance or a brand new unit, contact Martin-Jetco Heating and Air Conditioning at (636) 205-1631 and we’ll help you out! Don’t wait to take back control of your space and turn your home into the comfortable oasis you deserve.