Spring can be a lovely time of year here in the San Joaquin Valley, with perfect temperatures and flowers blooming. Unfortunately, spring can also be a miserable time of the year for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. All of those flowers, grasses and trees blooming and growing results in a lot of pollen in the air, which can cause spring allergies to flare up. There is hope, however, for alleviating allergy symptoms in your Fresno area home. Here are four tips for reducing the occurrence and severity of spring allergies in your home:
- Replace your heating and cooling system’s air filter routinely. The air filter catches dust, pollen and other allergens, and can make a big difference for allergy sufferers. For best results, make sure your filter has a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) of 8 or above. Also, a clogged filter can make your air conditioner run less efficiently, so changing it often can help lower your utility bills.
- Close the windows. You may be tempted by the prospect of letting the breeze in through open windows and doors on a pleasant day, but you’ll also be letting in allergens. Air leaks around windows and doors also can let pollen and other allergens inside, in addition to reducing air conditioner efficiency in the spring and summer, so be sure to seal any leaks or gaps.
- Clean routinely. Though cleaning can often feel like drudgery, it really is one of the easiest ways to remove allergens from your home and help those with spring allergies to feel better. Use a vacuum and proper cleaning wipes to remove dust and other particles, and try to avoid upholstered furniture, heavy drapes, or anything else that might hold allergens. Brush and bathe your pets regularly, too, and do it outside.
- Consider investing in a whole-house air filter or cleaner. Though other methods may help a bit, the best way to reduce allergens in your home is with a whole-house air cleaner or purifier. These systems employ a variety of technologies, some more effective than others. The very best air cleaners can remove the great majority of particulates from your indoor air, greatly improving indoor air quality and alleviating the effects of spring allergies.
For more information on reducing the symptoms of spring allergies, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning today. We’ve been serving the Fresno area for more than 30 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about spring allergies and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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