Get Ahead of Allergens Before They Get Ahold of You
Spring can be a pleasant season or an allergy-prone season depending on how you deal with allergens in your home. The most common allergens that fly through the air and settle on the your home’s surfaces include dust mites, pet dander, cockroach droppings, minute pollen and cockroach droppings. Seasonal allergy sufferers will find it hard to breathe, and they start experiencing incessant sneezing, runny noses, itchy throats and red eyes. There are some steps you can take with your East Bay heating and air conditioning systems that will surely help you out.
The key to reducing the amount of allergens in your home is in your HVAC system. Take a look at these 5 ways to diminish indoor allergens this spring:
- Got Mold?
Mold can form in the unlikeliest of places. Check the whole house for presence of mold in the air handler, evaporator coils, condensate drip drain and pan and the exit ducts. It’s best to catch mold early because not only will it cause an uncomfortable season, but it can also be dangerous to you and your family’s health and safety. You may eliminate mold or call a Castro Valley HVAC professional for help.
- Eliminate Indoor and Outdoor Debris
The outdoor part of the AC pulls in air from the environment and circulates it around the house. Do a quick inspection for small debris, dust or pollen and clear as much of it as possible to reduce the amount of allergens entering your home. Then, check your indoor air conditioning unit as well for telltale signs of allergen. Dust, vacuum and sweep around the area and you will have less allergens to deal with.
- Replace Filters With High Quality Ones
High quality furnace filters for your airconditioning unit is the first line of defense when it comes to air quality. The best filters to pick out must have a rating of MERV 8 or higher. These filters have microscopic meshes that trap both indoor and outdoor allergens and minute particles. A rule of thumb regarding filters is to clean and inspect them monthly and replace them after 3 months. A dirty filter can contribute to the amount of dust and dirt circulating around the house and make heating and cooling less efficient.
- Clean Your Registers and Return Vents
Don’t forget your HVAC unit needs dusting much like all the other appliances in your home. Take a look at your HVAC’s return vents and registers and dust them at least once a week. These vents work by circulating air coming from your cooling unit, so if they’re full of dust then your indoors will be dusty as well. Remember to use a damp or treated cloth to prevent dust clouds.
- Call For An HVAC Appointment
The coming of spring is a great time to schedule an HVAC appointment. An HVAC professional ensures that your unit is free of dust and minute debris. Indoor allergens are greatly reduced and you’ll have an easier time breathing and being allergen-free.
Do You Want Some Professional Help With This List?
BA Morrison specializes in heating and air. We are happy to come out and make sure your home is ready for the Spring and Summer months. You can call us at (510) 538-9817 or contact us through our website HERE.
