If you’re like many residents of Littleton, CO, and surrounding areas, seasonal allergies are just part of the picture when winter gives way to spring. However, allergy symptoms don’t have to be the price you pay for nature’s annual awakening, otherwise known as spring. If you or members of your household experience sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, and other common allergy symptoms while you’re indoors, it’s time to take a closer look at your indoor air quality.
Understanding Spring Allergies and Air Quality
The first step in waging war against seasonal allergies is understanding what causes them. Pollen is a major culprit. Although most people associate pollen with flowers, it’s important to realize that both trees and grasses also produce pollen. Often, their pollen is more abundant than their flowering counterparts. The wind carries the types of pollen grains that produce allergies and are far too small to be seen by the human eye.
Due to their nearly microscopic size, these tiny particles of pollen easily find their way into home interiors via open windows, even when screens are present. Additionally, pollen can hitch a ride inside on clothing, accessories, and even household pets. Indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores exacerbate seasonal allergy symptoms.
Identifying Indoor Air Quality Issues
The first step in improving indoor air quality is identifying potential issues, which means paying attention to details. For instance, do household residents seem to experience an increase in allergy symptoms when they’re indoors? Are visible signs of mold and/or mildew part of the picture? Is pet dander possibly contributing to poor indoor air quality? A comprehensive assessment of your indoor environment helps pinpoint sources of allergens and pollutants.
Strategies for Improving Indoor Air Quality
Once you’ve identified potential air quality culprits, it’s time to explore effective strategies for a creative, healthier home environment.
Keep Your Home Clean
Regular cleaning is your first line of defense against dust and other household allergens from wreaking havoc on your health. Frequent vacuuming of carpets and upholstery keeps dust mites, stray pollen, pet dander, and mold spores from getting a foothold in your home’s soft surfaces. For maximum benefit, use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. Thoroughly dusting all hard surfaces with a damp cloth traps and removes allergens.
Control Indoor Humidity Levels
Mold growth and dust mites thrive in environments with high humidity. A dehumidifier helps maintain an optimal humidity level of between 30% and 50%. Additionally, check for leaks or water damage and repair them promptly.
Provide Proper Indoor Ventilation
Good air circulation plays a critical role in reducing indoor allergens and pollution. When the weather permits, opening windows and doors allows fresh air to flow throughout your home, but make sure you don’t do so when pollen levels are high. Using exhaust fans in high-humidity areas such as bathrooms and kitchens removes moisture and odors.
Limit the Use of Indoor Pollutants
Indoor pollutants such as certain cleaning chemicals, tobacco smoke, and even scented personal products may exacerbate allergies. Using natural cleaning solutions and scent-free personal care products reduces the presence of harsh chemicals that irritate respiratory systems.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Professional HVAC maintenance ensures that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are clean and functioning efficiently. Air filters should be changed or cleaned on a regular basis.
Schedule professional HVAC maintenance with Simply Mechanical to ensure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are clean and functioning efficiently. Change air filters every one to two months and consider upgrading to high-efficiency filters for better allergen capture.
Benefits of Improving Indoor Air Quality
By taking proactive steps to improve household air quality, you’ll experience numerous benefits beyond allergy relief, including the following:
- Reduced respiratory issues and triggers
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased comfort and enjoyment of your home interior
- Protection against long-term health effects of indoor pollutants
Contact Simply Mechanical in Littleton Today
Our family-owned, NATE-certified company brings a combined 30 years of experience in HVAC service to the table. Whether you need a gas boiler installed, a simple tune-up for your HVAC system, or emergency service on a cold Colorado night. We’re proud that our local home and business owners know they can rely on us and our HVAC technicians.
For more information on creating a healthy home environment with indoor air quality solutions or to schedule an appointment, reach out to Simply Mechanical in Littleton at your convenience.
