You probably are excited about the summer. It gives you countless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with your family. But there’s one thing you should particularly watch out for: summer allergies. During this time of year, pollen, mold, and ragweed are active, causing allergic reactions to millions of people.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of suffering from allergies, and this article aims to give you six helpful tips.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted HVAC company in Roseville MN. We help homeowners establish comfortable and safe homes with the use of HVAC technology.
Consider these tips to avoid summer allergies.
Find out what triggers your allergies.
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.
Control your exposure.
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.
Also, be sure to check you local TV or radio news agency and watch out for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels in your area. If there are high levels of pollen, start taking allergy medications even before symptoms start. And if possible, close all doors and windows during these times.
Clean your house regularly.
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.
Be on top of your outdoor HVAC unit.
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.
Invest in high-grade filters.
While there are no products that can completely eliminate all allergens, you can make some adjustments at home. One thing you can do is turn on your air conditioning and make sure it is equipped with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
A HEPA filter is a mechanical air filter that works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps contaminants, including allergens. It can remove most airborne particles, especially the ones suspended in the air. It is designed to capture 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 microns or smaller. This size covers all common allergens, including mold, pet dander, dust mites, and pollen.
Consider professional HVAC maintenance.
The way you take care of your air conditioner or heat pump influences your exposure to allergens. While filter replacement is a rather easy task, there are other steps that need to be taken to ensure your system is clean through and through. Trained HVAC specialists, like the ones we have at Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning, understand indoor air quality and know how to use technology to protect your family against airborne contaminants, including allergens. We are your legit New Brighton heating and air conditioning company that delivers outstanding indoor air quality products and services.