Spring is finally approaching, and while the warmer weather and blooming flowers are a welcome change, they can also bring a less exciting visitor—seasonal allergies. This article will explore how allergens enter your home and offer practical solutions.
How Dust and Pollen Enter Your Home
Many homeowners assume that keeping windows closed will prevent dust and pollen from entering their homes. However, these tiny particles can find their way inside in several ways. Pollen clings to clothing, shoes, and hair whenever you step outside, while pets can track it in on their fur. On the other hand, dust seeps through small gaps around windows and doors, accumulating on surfaces throughout your home.
Once inside, these particles settle on furniture, floors, and other surfaces, becoming airborne whenever you walk through a room or due to daily activities. For instance, dust visible in a beam of sunlight coming from a window is more than just harmless debris; it often contains pollen, pet dander, and other allergens.
For those with allergies, this buildup can lead to persistent symptoms like sneezing and congestion, making indoor air quality just as much of a concern as outdoor conditions. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. You can employ several strategies to improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy symptoms.
Spring HVAC Maintenance
Your cooling system does more than keep you comfortable—it’s also in charge of moving air through every room in your house. When it’s running, it’s pulling in air, cooling it, and sending it back through the vents. If your air conditioning system is full of pollen, dust, or mold spores, it spreads these airborne contaminants all over your house.
Getting your system tuned-up in the spring can help you avoid this. A technician will clean the parts that collect dust. Clean air starts with a clean system, and it’s worth making sure yours is ready before allergy season gets into full swing.
How Air Purifiers Can Be a Game-Changer
If you’ve ever experienced the refreshing feeling of clean air after a rainstorm, you’re familiar with the benefits of fresh, purified air. An air purifier works similarly for your home. Rather than simply circulating air, it actively removes contaminants that can trigger allergies.
Many air purifiers are equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, designed to trap even the smallest particles, including pollen, dust, mold spores, and even germs. Some models also utilize UV light or specialized technology to eliminate bacteria and viruses that may be circulating in the air. These purifiers work behind the scenes to clean the air as it moves through your home, making a noticeable difference in your indoor environment.
Many homeowners find that after installing an air purifier, they experience fewer allergy symptoms, like itchy eyes or a stuffy nose. If you have pets, air purifiers can also help reduce dander and stray hairs, offering you and your family a cleaner, healthier living space.
Humidity Control Systems
Humidity might not be the first thing you think of when you hear “allergies,” but it plays a bigger role than you might guess. When the air in your house is too damp, it creates the perfect conditions for mold to grow. On the other hand, if the air is too dry, your nose and throat can feel scratchy. Dry air can also make it easier for dust particles to become airborne, making everything worse when allergy season hits.
Getting a system that controls your home’s humidity can make a world of difference. It keeps the air from getting too damp, so mold doesn’t have a chance to grow. At the same time, it ensures your home’s air isn’t so dry that you’re uncomfortable. When the air in your home feels right, your allergies can feel a lot more manageable.
Changing Your Filters Makes a Big Difference
While air filters may seem like a minor component of your HVAC system, they play a crucial role in maintaining a clean and healthy indoor environment. Filters capture dust, pollen, pet hair, and other airborne particles before your HVAC system can recirculate them through your living spaces. However, if filters are not replaced regularly, they can become clogged, allowing trapped debris to enter the various rooms in your house.
To ensure optimal performance, check your filters periodically. If you hold a filter up to the light and can’t see through it, it’s time for a replacement. Homes with pets or individuals who suffer from allergies may require more frequent filter changes to maintain air quality.
Upgrading to a higher-quality filter can further enhance the air in your home. Filters designed to capture smaller particles, such as pollen and mold spores, can significantly improve indoor air quality, particularly during allergy season, helping you breathe easier as your HVAC system works to keep your home comfortable.
Duct Cleaning Can Clear Out Years of Dust
Dust can build up inside your ducts—the pathways that carry air through your house. If you have not had them cleaned in a while, they could be holding onto years of dust, pollen, and who knows what else. Every time your HVAC system turns on, it pushes that stuff right into your rooms.
You might notice more dust settling on your furniture or your allergies getting worse when the air is running. Sometimes, you can even smell a musty odor when the system kicks on. That’s a sign that your ducts need a good cleaning.
Professionals use specialized equipment such as powerful vacuums with rotary brushes to clear out all that built-up dust, leaving your ductwork clean and your home’s air fresher. Scheduling an appointment for this service is especially helpful if you’ve recently had construction work done or if your home is older and the ducts haven’t been cleaned in years.
How a Whole-Home Air Quality Plan Helps You Breathe Easier
Maintaining clean indoor air is a comprehensive effort that goes beyond a single solution. Maintaining your HVAC system, changing filters, humidity control, and installing an air purifier can improve your indoor air quality.
Begin by scheduling a professional air quality assessment. A technician can evaluate your HVAC system, inspect filters, and recommend upgrades tailored to your needs. Some homes may require enhanced filtration, while others might benefit from better humidity control or duct cleaning. When your indoor air is clean, the benefits are immediately noticeable. You will wake up without a stuffy nose, sneeze less frequently, and reduce the amount of time you need to spend cleaning.
Contact Your Local Professionals
At Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc., we have been serving the residents of Nashua, NH and the surrounding areas since 1995. We are indoor air quality experts who can test the air in your home. If we find any issues, we can install humidity control systems and air purifiers tailored to your needs and budget. Contact us today to schedule a cooling systems appointment with one of our experienced team members.
