The beautiful spring flowers in Trussville, Alabama, can create spring allergies for many people. High spring and summer humidity makes these problems worse by encouraging pests and biological growth. Unfortunately, some individuals are allergic to insect parts, pest droppings, pet dander, certain microorganisms, and pollen. Allergy symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, sinus problems, sore throats, eye irritation, rashes, and more. You can keep yourself and your family members comfortable this spring by preventing allergies.
Remove Plants That Produce Lots of Pollen
When possible, remove pecan, pine, or cedar trees on your property and add dogwoods or magnolias instead. Indoors, avoid flowering plants since they tend to produce a lot of pollen. Daisies are popular in flower arrangements, but they’re related to ragweed: a common allergen. Fortunately, it’s easy to replace them with artificial flowers.
Weeping fig or ficus trees and chrysanthemums often lead to allergy symptoms as well. Chamomile is excellent for a soothing tea, but it can cause hay fever for some people. Others have an adverse reaction from drinking it, or they get a rash from its pollen. Instead of chamomile, try English lavender. You can use it to make tea as well, and it has beautiful purple blooms.
Use an Air Purifier
An air purifier or air cleaner can remove dust, dirt, smoke particles, pollen, and many other allergens from your home’s indoor air. You can have a whole-home air purifier installed in your ductwork by an expert, or you can use a portable unit in one or two rooms at a time. Many models can remind you to change or clean the air filter and help you monitor your home’s indoor air quality.
Add Ventilation
Many air filters can’t remove viruses and some bacteria. They also can’t capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These substances evaporate at room temperature, and they include formaldehyde, acetone, ammonia, and xylene. They can cause symptoms similar to allergies and can lead to more serious health problems. Many commercial cleaners, air fresheners, paints, and glues contain VOCs. They can also come from particle board and fuel. Without proper ventilation, spring cleaning or renovations could increase your home’s concentration of VOCs.
An exhaust fan or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) can remove these contaminants along with stale air. It can also help you get rid of bad smells and excess humidity from cooking or showering. ERVs filter incoming outdoor air when they remove indoor air allergens and VOCs, so many contaminants will stay out of your home. They work like heat pumps to cool incoming air, keeping your utility bills from rising. That way, you can easily get fresh air without wasting energy by opening a window or door.
Do Some Spring Cleaning
Even if you remove sources of allergens in your home like biological growth, some contaminants will get in through your doors, your windows, and leaks in your insulation. You should dust with a damp cloth and vacuum often to remove allergens. If you have allergies yourself, use a surgical mask and gloves for cleaning. You can also hire a cleaning service.
Minimize VOCs with natural cleaners and air fresheners. Water and baking soda can take care of many tough stains, and you can make your home smell great with potpourri or essential oils. You can also bake some cookies or simmer cinnamon sticks on the stove.
Don’t forget to clean your ceiling fans and air registers, use a doormat, and ask guests to leave their shoes outside. Change the air filter for your HVAC system once per month, and keep debris such as pine needles, pine cones, leaves, and grass clippings away from your outdoor unit. If needed, you can remove dirt, twigs, or other substances with a garden hose.
At Total Comfort Heating & Air, we guarantee 100% customer satisfaction, and we don’t consider a job finished until you’re completely happy with our work. We can help you prevent spring allergies, improve your indoor air quality, and keep your family comfortable. For quality service, call us anytime at (205) 386-2056.
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