Breathe Easy This Spring
Most people look forward to the onset of spring for a good reason - the warmer weather and abundance of flora suddenly bursting into life is a welcome change from the cold and dreary days of winter. But this isn’t always the case, especially for people with seasonal allergies. The same plant life celebrated for bringing color to a steadily warming world brings misery to allergy sufferers who have to endure the explosion of pollen in the air, for which trees, plants, and flowers are responsible.
The good news is that there are relatively easy ways to endure the onset of allergy season. Short of wearing a mask outside, locking oneself in at home, or medicating with antihistamines, here are a few simple adjustments that can be made to help homeowners breathe better through the seasonal allergies this spring.
Open Windows At the Right Times
Health professionals often recommend keeping windows closed during peak times of the day when pollen is at its peak. Aside from particularly abundant peak times, health experts also recommend keeping the windows closed on dry, windy days or when lawn work is done outside. These conditions are often ideal for bringing allergens into the home through open windows.
However, there are times when it would be advantageous to open windows and let fresh air flow in instead of keeping stale, recirculated air trapped inside the house. Opening windows late in the day, when pollen counts are at their lowest, or right after a good, cleansing rain shower is ideal. Rain is especially good for washing the pollen off the air and allows homeowners to breathe easily without feeling trapped inside their homes. Opening windows at the right times also benefits from removing pollen that has already made its way into the home through other means, either through clothes or shoes brought into the home from outside.
Change Air Filters Like Clockwork
Air filters are important in keeping the air inside the home free from dust, germs, and allergens like pollen. This is especially true for HEPA filters. HEPA, which stands for high-efficiency particulate air, is a type of filter that can, in theory, remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles sized 0.3 microns or larger. These kinds of filters are particularly helpful for people with allergies and are recommended for use in their homes.
Filters, however, can get dirty quickly as they trap air particles and separate them from the air flowing into the HVAC. Because of this, professionals recommend homeowners replace air filters regularly with fresh ones. The ideal cycle is once every 30 days. Still, at the height of allergy season, homeowners can opt to do air filter replacement more often to ensure no allergens are escaping the filter because the amount of dirt it is already holding prevents it from becoming more effective.
Keep Dust From Accumulating
Indoor air quality (IAQ), or the quality of air inside defined structures like homes and buildings, greatly impacts the quality of life of its occupants. The ability to breathe easily and comfortably is necessary and often dependent not just on things like when a window is open or closed or the effectiveness of an air filter but more so on how well cleanliness is maintained indoors.
Regular activities such as dusting, mopping, and vacuuming reduce the number of allergens in the home and subsequently reduces the burden on an HVAC air filter to keep the air allergen-free. Keeping a home clean seems like a foregone conclusion, but following these simple tips will go a long way in keeping allergies at bay.
About Crowe's Comfort Solutions
Crowe's Comfort Solutions is a reliable HVAC services provider in Pooler, GA. Their knowledgeable, background-checked technicians provide a full range of quality heating and cooling solutions using the latest technology. Their flat-rate pricing, on-time services, and 24/7 availability are top-notch, making them the HVAC solutions provider of choice in Chatham County. Call them today for all HVAC services.
