Seasonal allergies affect more than 50 million people in the United States on average. If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer, you may be delighted to know that we have compiled this list of dos and don’ts to keep your family comfortable and breathing better throughout spring, where the blooming flowers and trees look beautiful, but wreak havoc on our sinuses!
If you are in need of heating & air conditioning services in the St. Louis area or to learn more about how you can prevent seasonal allergies with your HVAC system, contact our HVAC company today! Galmiche & Sons can be reached at 314-993-1110.
Seasonal Allergies in St. Louis: The Dos and Don’ts
Seasonal Allergies – Do’s
If you are worried about pollen in your home, using air purifiers, adjusting the temperature settings on your current HVAC system, and installing additional air purifying and cleaning systems will help a great deal with preventing any allergens in your home – as the systems will filter them out naturally. Some specific HVAC tips and other steps you can take to prevent allergies include:
- Ensure that your HVAC system has the proper maintenance during the hotter months to make sure it is in its best working state. Cleaning the system will allow it to operate more efficiently and prevent the spread of allergens throughout the home.
- Use your HVAC system to its full capacity by taking advantage of the air filtration system it comes with. Check your air filter monthly to make sure it is clean and will keep your family safe by filtering any air that passes through your home.
- Keep your temperature set below 70°F – doing so will keep things like mites and fungus from thriving as they prefer hotter temperatures.
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce home humidity levels. A good target is between 35 – 45%. Anything over this allows dust mites to thrive.
- Try to keep your windows and doors closed and run your HVAC system instead if a family member suffers from seasonal allergies. While the breeze is nice, doing so will reduce the amount of pollen coming into the home.
- Ensure you keep an eye out on the pollen count before venturing outside – and try to head out just after rainfall as the pollen won’t be so thick in the air. Morning activity should be reduced where possible along these same lines.
- Take a shower and change after prolonged activity outside to prevent pollen from being spread around inside your home and to ensure any pollen is not passed onto bed sheets, towels, or other fabric surfaces.
- Place a few green plants around your home. Plants naturally filter the air, which is always helpful when tackling seasonal allergies.
Seasonal Allergies – Don’ts
While some of these seasonal allergy tips seem like common sense, not many people are aware of what not to do when pollen counts are at their highest. See below for HVAC tips on seasonal allergies and tips on what not to do:
- Don’t hang any laundry outside if you can help it. Pollen can stick to clothes and bed sheets, which will cause sleeping issues and even breathing issues inside the house if pollen is hanging around where you least expect it. It will also make your HVAC systems work harder to filter pollen and other allergens from the inside air.
- Make sure that outside chores such as mowing the lawn are done by someone who does not suffer from seasonal allergies. If that is not possible, invest in preventative measures such as face masks or over the counter medicines where possible.
- Don’t walk around the house wearing clothes that have been worn outside for an extended period of time – this includes shoes!
While people are the primary vehicle for pollen to move from place to place, your pets can also carry it on their fur, which could be rubbed onto other fabric surfaces such as furniture, bed sheets and carpet.
Also keep in mind that the weather impacts pollen count and, of course, seasonal allergies. High winds and no rain mean that pollen will be in the air, passing from garden to garden without settling or stopping. Making sure you are keeping an eye out on both the pollen count and wind/rain will ensure that any time you spend outdoors can be optimized for you and your family.
Learn More About Combating Seasonal Allergies with HVAC Tips & More
For more information about how to mitigate seasonal allergies in the home, or for any other HVAC tips or heating & air conditioning related issues you may have, connect with Galmiche & Sons today. We can be easily reached by phone at 314-993-1110 or via our convenient online Contact Us form if you prefer.
