Summer brings many benefits to the Dayton area, but allergies are certainly not one of them. If you suffer from summer allergy symptoms, consider these strategies to allergy-proof your home:
- Air Filters: The filters in your air conditioner can potentially remove all sorts of allergens from your air, but the cheap fiberglass filters many homeowners use don’t do a very good job. To maximize the benefits, upgrade to filters with a MERV rating of at least 9, and have clean filters on hand so you can change them whenever they get dirty. During the peak of the cooling season, air conditioner filters may need to be changed as often as monthly to maintain efficiency.
- Bathroom Mold: Run a vent fan in your bathroom while you shower and for a few minutes afterward to eliminate the moisture that leads to mold growth. If you find bathroom mold, you can remove it by scrubbing with a solution of bleach and water.
- Windows: Opening windows helps air circulation, which reduces dust and prevents mold growth. Unfortunately, windows also can let other allergens into your home, so it’s best to open them in the morning and evening, and keep them shut on days when the pollen count is high.
- HVAC Maintenance: Having your HVAC serviced annually has a number of benefits. It eliminates particle buildup that could potentially release dust and other allergens into your home. It also boosts energy efficiency and increases the lifespan of your HVAC.
- Duct Cleaning: Air ducts can harbor a substantial buildup of dust and other potentially irritating particles, including pollen, pet dander and mold. Duct cleaning eliminates this buildup before it can be blown out into your air. Have an HVAC technician inspect your ducts to determine whether a cleaning is necessary. He may find and seal leaks as well.
To learn more about ways to alleviate summer allergy symptoms inside your home, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We’ve been serving the Dayton area for three generations.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about allergy symptom prevention and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ace Hardware Home Services services the Ohio’s Miami Valley. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
| Allergens image via Shutterstock |
