How To Come Out On Top This Allergy Season

3 Ways To Keep Allergies at Bay This Spring

Spring is a wonderful time for most homeowners. The rains help accelerate the growth of flowers, lawns, and garden vegetables, the warm weather means more time relaxing and grilling outside, and the longer days are perfect for evening walks. But for anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies, springtime is no walk in the park.

Most people try to find relief by shutting themselves inside and waiting out the storm of pollen and blowing dust. But in doing so, they’re actually exposing themselves to higher concentrations of airborne pollutants and allergens that have gotten trapped and are recirculating throughout the home. But there is hope for those homeowners hounded by allergies. Read on to discover three ways to improve indoor air quality and turn the tables on spring allergies.

Don’t Let Dust Collect On Surfaces

Improving indoor air quality starts with keeping the house clean. The more dust and debris is allowed to accumulate indoors, the more will get kicked up at the merest movement or puff of air. Regularly dusting every hard surface with a dust-absorbent cloth will make an enormous difference. This includes bookshelves, countertops, picture frames, ceiling fans-- everything. Sweeping, mopping and vacuuming will take care of the rest - but it’s a good idea to vacuum not only carpets and rugs but also upholstery, as plenty of dust can gather on furniture. Doing these chores every one to two weeks will drastically reduce the particulate matter in the home, improving allergy symptoms related to dust.

Mask up!

Over the last year, wearing facemasks in public spaces has become common practice. While this came about in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, wearing masks can also help protect allergy sufferers from environmental allergens like pollen, dust, and dander. 

According to the New York Times, there are some airborne allergens that are as much as 800 times larger than the Coronavirus. Larger particles like that are unable to penetrate the fibers of the cloth and medical masks alike! For this reason, some allergists have been suggesting that people who deal with seasonal allergies wear masks outside since long before it was the norm. While mask mandates may be easing up in cities all across the country, allergy sufferers may want to keep them around for a little longer! 

Change the Air Filters Regularly

One of the best things homeowners can do for the air quality in their home is to replace their HVAC filters on time. How often they’re changed will depend on the type of filter, the number of people and pets in the home, and how much dirt and debris get tracked in. Every three months should do it for the average home, but some homes may require more frequent replacements. Even those with high-quality HEPA filters need to stick to a schedule. A clogged and dirty filter will constrict airflow, put undue strain on the unit, and be ineffective in capturing pollutants.

Similarly, permanent-use electrostatic filters need to be unplugged and cleaned regularly. This can be an intensive process, and doing it incorrectly can damage the filter, so it’s imperative to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. 

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Services

The family-owned and operated A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has served Austin, TX, with pride for over 40 years. Their friendly, licensed technicians arrive on time, ready to handle any job, and always provide honest, flat-rate pricing before any work begins. A-Plus has an A+ BBB rating and is an industry leader in environmental responsibility. Give them a call today for more information about their indoor air quality services in Austin.

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