Just the mere thought of summer gives joy to many. But what comes with this season is the increase of allergies such as a runny nose and red eyes, which can definitely ruin your summer plans. Real bummer!
Summer allergies can cause severe symptoms and can be as bad as the spring and fall seasons, says an allergy expert. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology states that pollen, mold, and insect stings are the most common causes of allergies during this time of year. And, believe it or not, fresh produce such as celery, apples, and melons, can also trigger allergic symptoms.
Therefore, you as a homeowner should take steps toward making sure your family is allergy-free this season.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your leading HVAC company in Roseville MN. We offer effective solutions to combat allergens in your home.
Allow us to give you some suggestions to help you avoid or at least minimize your risk of summer allergies.
Identify what triggers your allergy.
There are different kinds of allergies and not everyone suffers from the same kind. You might be allergic to dust while someone close to you is allergic to pollen. In summer, most allergies are caused by inhaled allergens such as pollen and dust. Be sure to identify which one it is you are allergic to. This knowledge will help you protect yourself from such allergens.
To minimize your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy, stay indoors, especially during windy days. If you want to go outside, time it properly. The best time to do this is after a good rain, which helps clear the pollen from the air. When you get back home, change your clothes and take a shower to remove the pollen from your skin and hair.
Keep your house clean.
Keeping your home clean is a great way to combat allergies. Most homeowners usually clean and dust their homes at least once per week. However, they often fail to clean their vents and registers. These vents deliver forced air from your HVAC system, collecting dust, which is then distributed throughout your home. So, clean the vents in every room, using damp or treated rags. This will keep it from picking up mites and other dust particles that can trigger allergic reactions.
Maintain your outside HVAC units.
It is important to keep your outdoor unit clean and free from debris. It draws air from outside through your system. Then, the air is eventually circulated throughout your home. Remove dust and debris, and keep it away from the unit as often as you can to keep pollen and allergens from being drawn into your home. Also, check your indoor HVAC unit and take away dust and debris collected by the filter. As much as possible, keep the area around the HVAC system clean and dust it off to minimize allergens in your home.
Keep your doors and windows closed.
One of the easiest ways to avoid summer allergies is to simply close your home’s doors and windows. Otherwise, they can freely enter your home and make you susceptible to symptoms and run the risk of infecting the other occupants of your home.
Upgrade your air filters.
Contrary to what some homeowners believe, regular HVAC filters are not designed to eliminate smaller particles. While they do remove visible dirt, but they help very little in terms of improving your home’s overall indoor air quality.
For this reason, experts recommend using high-efficiency filters. These filters are designed to eliminate at least 99.97 percent of fine airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns, as specified by the United States Department of Energy. HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air filters effectively removes pollen, dust, and pollutants like bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and cigarette smoke.
Need Help? Call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
If you want to improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep airborne allergens at bay, be sure to give us a call. We’d love to talk to you and offer you real solutions to your HVAC problems. We are your dedicated New Brighton heating and air conditioning company.