This year’s winter was unfamiliar to many Louisiana natives with several ice days and countless road closures, leaving many of us trapped in our homes with busted pipes and high electricity bills. However, the days of freezing temperatures and layers of clothes are disappearing while the days of sunshine, warmer weather, and green leaves are upon us.
Whether you prefer to spend the springtime at a Ragin Cajun’s baseball game or in the garden doing yard work, the large amounts of pollen circulating throughout the air can only mean one thing: it’s allergy season! You may think that staying inside as much as possible will limit your exposure, but have you ever thought about the countless allergens coming into your home through your air filter? Check out these 5 ways to use your HVAC system to alleviate allergies in your household this season!
1. Purchase High-Quality Filters
The best way to improve the quality of air in your home is through your air filters. Filters are measured in MERVs, which is used to measure the level of particle filtration. The highest MERV rating is a 20; however, during allergy season, we recommend filters with a MERV rating of 8 because they are more useful when trying to trap smaller particles. Don’t forget to change your air filters every 3 months. If you have pets or begin to have issues with mold and dampness on your filters, change them more often to allow your filter to function efficiently.
2. Clean Around Your Indoor and Outdoor Unit
HVAC systems pull the air that is circulating outside your home into your HVAC system, which is then circulated throughout your home. To make sure that the air that is being pulled in is as clean as possible, we recommend frequently checking your outdoor unit and removing debris from around it. Keeping a clean unit will also allow it to run efficiently. Dust and debris inside the home can also be recirculated through your indoor unit. Similar to your outdoor unit, we also recommend cleaning and dusting the area around any inside HVAC units you may have.
3. Dust Your Vents
If dusting shelves, cabinets, and blinds are on your spring cleaning list, don’t forget about vents and registers. These two areas are often passed over when people begin dusting their homes; however, dusty registers and vents negatively affect the quality of air in your home. Make sure to dust or vacuum vents and registers often to allow you and your family to breathe easily.
4. Keep the Right Level of Humidity in Your Home
When the level of humidity in your home is too high or too low, it can often cause discomfort and heighten allergies. A humidity level that is too high can cause mold to grow while a low humidity level can lead to dry skin and clogged pores. By upgrading your system or using a humidifier throughout your home, you can always be sure that the level of humidity in your home is just right!
5. Schedule an HVAC Maintenance Appointment
Some homeowners are unaware that their system often requires a regular maintenance visit. Maintenance appointments can often reduce the number of allergens that are allowed to enter your home. Regular maintenance appointments can also fix issues within your system before they become major problems that can be costly.
During the springtime, no one wants to be trapped inside and suffering from allergies. Be sure that your HVAC system is ready to take on the spring season and call Lee’s AC to make sure you and your family are comfortable all year long! We’re dedicated to making Acadiana a cooler place to live, one home at a time! Give us a call today at (337) 446-0339 or contact us here to schedule a maintenance appointment!