How to Allergy-Proof Your Home This Spring!

As the weather warms up and flowers begin to bloom, many people start to experience the unpleasant symptoms of seasonal allergies. Allergies can make it difficult to enjoy the turn of spring, but there are steps you can take to allergy-proof your home and create a more comfortable living space. In this blog post, we'll share some tips for allergy-proofing your home for spring. 

1. Change Air Filters

One of the most important steps you can take to allergy-proof your home is to change your air filters. Air filters help to trap airborne allergens such as dander, pollen and dust mites, but they can only do their job if they are clean and free of debris. We recommend changing your air filters at least once every three months, or more frequently if you have pets or live in a high-pollution area.

If your family suffers from severe allergies, you should consider upgrading your standard filter to HEPA-rated air filters. Standard filters are designed to keep your system clean from larger particles of dust and debris, but are not as ideal for filtering flowing air in your home. HEPA filters with a MERV rating of 10 or higher can remove more allergy-inducing particles from the air, including the smaller particles that standard filters often miss.

2. Invest in an Air Purifier

In addition to changing your air filters, investing in an air purifier can also help reduce allergens in your home. Air purifiers work by trapping particles in the air and removing them from your living space. You can look for a purifier with a HEPA filter, which will trap the tiny particles like pollen, dust, and pet dander. 

3. Keep Your Home Clean and Dust-free 

There’s a reason it’s called spring cleaning. One of the most helpful ways to keep dust and pollen out of your home is to be proactive and consistent in cleaning your home. During spring, pollen levels can be high and can easily make their way into your home. To keep pollen out, keep your windows and doors closed, especially during the morning hours when pollen levels are highest.

Wiping off shelves, windowsills, vacuuming regularly and washing your sheets are the simplest but most foolproof ways to stop the buildup of dust and allergens in your house. Give your pets a good bath every now and then to manage the pollen they’re tracking inside. Try using vacuums with HEPA filters and dusting off surfaces with a damp cloth - to prevent sending pollen into the air as you clean.

4. Keep an Eye on Humidity Levels

Depending on the temperament of your home, a humidifier may be a helpful addition to your home filter system. In Upstate New York we tend to fluctuate between high and low humidity, typically leaning on the dry side, but as the weather changes it can be hard to predict. 

High humidity levels can promote the growth of mold and dust mites, which can trigger allergies. However, many do not realize dry air is just as bad. When there’s not enough moisture in the air, allergens and pollutants remain airborne longer, leading to asthma and allergy flare-ups.

We have several options of humidifiers available to install, depending on you and your family's needs. An air conditioner can also be used to control humidity levels in spring and summer months.

5. Install a UV Light into Your HVAC System

Air circulating in the home can carry potentially harmful airborne particles. A UV Light Kit can kill airborne particles that pass through a home’s heating and cooling system. It is designed to reduce mold and germs and prevent growth of organic matter. Call us at Cerrone Plumbing and Heating to see if this system will work for you and your home.

Put down the tissue box! You want your home to be a safe place where you and your family members can breathe easily. Part of maintaining a safe home environment includes making certain that your household air is as clean as possible. At Cerrone HVAC we can help you with a solution that will make your home environment more healthy and comfortable, for months to come. Give us a call today to keep your spring allergies under control!