Allergies: sneezing, coughing, itching eyes and even asthma are the symptoms for one of the most commonly suffered conditions in the world. Just when you think that cooler weather means you’re in the clear for outdoor allergens, everyone’s least favorite fall plant, ragweed, rears its ugly head. That’s right, those lovely golden sprigs of flowers you see blooming on the side of Fresno’s freeways right now are probably causing your hay fever.
The biggest culprits for fall allergies in Fresno are pollens from grass, mold, and the aforementioned ragweed. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to do about cleaning the air when you head outside, but you can make your own home an allergen-free safe haven by following these tips.
Keep Your Air Filters Clean
Your HVAC unit’s air filters are designed to trap particles that cause allergies, such as mold and mildew spores, dust mites, pollen and pet dander. When they are full of gunk, they can’t trap anything else. Not only do they become ineffective at improving indoor air quality, but they also cause your A/C unit to work harder, meaning they break down more often.
Seal Your Home, or Let More Outside Air in
If the allergens are coming from outside, find leaky windows and drafty doors and seal them up to keep the pollen out. However, in some cases, the allergens are worse indoors and need to be cleared out with some fresh air. In this case, open windows to create a cross breeze whenever possible.
Use Air Purifiers or Cleaners
These range in size from simple table-top designs to whole-house purification systems. The efficiency of any model depends on how well it removes the offending particles from the air in your home. After deciding what size of purifier your household needs, shop around for the best rated designs and brands, or ask your HVAC technician his or her opinion.
For more information about how to improve indoor air quality in your home, and more expert advice about home comfort, contact us today. Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning has been serving the Fresno, California area since the 1930s.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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