There is no shortage of allergy triggers during spring, including trees, grass, and mold spores. If you’re an allergy sufferer, it’s important to create an indoor environment that becomes your sanctuary from nature when you need it. As spring approaches, you can take several steps to improve your indoor air quality, creating a healthier, fresher space.
Clean or Replace Filters
Replacing or cleaning your HVAC filter is essential. While this improves indoor air quality, it also offers other benefits, including helping to extend your system’s lifespan.
Before cleaning or replacing your filter, turn the system off for your safety. If the unit has a reusable filter, pull it out, gently wash it, and let it dry completely before putting it back in. You should do this at least every few weeks. For disposable filters, remove the dirty one and replace it with a clean one. Generally, you should do this every few months. However, as an allergy sufferer, it’s best to do it monthly. We can recommend MERV filters with a high rating to help improve indoor air quality by trapping small particles like pollen and dust. Keep several filters on hand, so they’re easy to replace when you need to.
Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning or replacing the air filter. If you have debris on your hands, including under your nails, you may accidentally rub your eyes and trigger allergy symptoms.
Clean Regularly
Regular cleaning is necessary to improve indoor air quality. This includes dusting hard surfaces and vacuuming hard floors, carpets, and rugs. Opt for a vacuum that has a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. While you’re using the appliance, the filter can capture small particles and prevent them from recirculating into the air. Additionally, use a vacuum attachment to vacuum upholstered seating. Curtains can be magnets for dust, so wash them often according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t forget to do the hard-to-reach spots. For instance, use a ceiling fan duster to clean the blades and wipe down both bookshelves and the books on them. Vacuum afterwards to suck up any dust or debris that fell to the floor.
Schedule a Spring HVAC Tune-Up
Built-up debris on your unit’s interior components can strain your system, causing it to work harder than necessary to maintain your preferred temperature. However, the contaminants also make their way through your system and out of your supply vents. When this happens, you breathe them in, which could trigger your allergy symptoms.
It’s one of the reasons it’s important to schedule a spring HVAC tune-up. Our team will perform multiple tasks, including cleaning the components, to improve system efficiency and your indoor air quality. We recommend scheduling an appointment in the spring so we can get the system ready for summer. Book another tune-up in the fall to prepare it for winter.
Schedule Duct Cleaning and Repairs
We suggest that homeowners schedule a duct cleaning every three to five years. However, if you have allergies, it’s best to do it every one or two years. During the appointment, our team uses high-powered, professional equipment to remove as many contaminants as possible from your system. This includes dead insects, mice droppings, dust, pet dander, and human hair. We’ll also assess the condition of your ducts and look for problems like gaps that could affect indoor air quality. If we spot any issues, it’s ideal to schedule a prompt repair appointment. Sealing ductwork gaps prevents the system from pulling in debris, such as dust, from areas without supply or return vents.
Ductwork cleaning and repairs aren’t part of a standard seasonal HVAC appointment. However, you can request that we do both at the same time when you call to schedule services.
Open Windows Strategically
To support proper ventilation, we recommend opening your windows at least twice a day for 10 minutes each time. However, check your weather app first to review what the allergen report is in your area. If allergen levels are high, avoid opening your windows and doors for the day. Doing so will temporarily increase allergen levels, leading to uncomfortable symptoms like watery eyes and sneezing.
Wipe Pets Down
When you let pets out during allergy season, pollen can easily attach to their fur and skin. Buy wipes that are specifically designed for pets. Use the wipes whenever you bring your pets back inside, especially after extended outdoor time during high-pollen count days. Don’t forget to wipe inside their ears, the entire length of their tail, and in between their toes.
Change Your Clothes
The same way pollen attaches to your pet’s fur and skin, it can also do to your clothes and body. You should ideally shower as soon as you come home. However, if you can’t, at least change your clothes. Avoid sitting on any soft furnishings, including your bed or upholstered furniture. Put your clothes right into the laundry basket, or better yet, straight into the washing machine. Don’t throw them on a chair or on your bed. The pollen can transfer onto the chair or bedding as well as become airborne.
Prepare Your Windows and Doors
Gaps alongside your windows and doors can let allergen-carrying drafts into your home. Drafts can also lead to inconsistent indoor temperatures, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to achieve cooled comfort during spring and summer. If possible, replace the windows and doors. However, if you can’t at the moment, use gap filler and weatherstripping to seal up the gaps. It’s also a good idea to use draft blockers under exterior doors to prevent allergens from coming in underneath. They move with your door, so they’ll stay in place even while you’re going inside and out.
Install a Whole-House Purification System
Installing a whole-house purification system can help you reduce allergens in your home and have better indoor air quality. It works in tandem with your HVAC system, so it doesn’t require manual operation. Our team can install it for you, ensuring safe, efficient operation.
Avoid Hanging Laundry Outdoors
If you prefer to hang your clothes out to dry in the spring sunshine, you may want to avoid it if you have severe allergies. The pollen can attach to your clean laundry and transfer indoors when you bring it in. Additionally, it can transfer to other clothes in your closet or drawers when you put the laundry away. Use your dryer instead, especially on high-allergen days.
Start preparing your home and HVAC system today for allergy season. Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky provides high-quality HVAC and indoor air quality services you can count on. Call today to schedule an appointment.
