Most people unaffected by seasonal allergies may assume they’re a spring problem. The rest of us know fall allergies are no less irritating than spring ones. The most common allergy triggers in the fall are ragweed, mold and dust. Good news! You can use your heating and air system to fight back.There are a few ways to reduce fall allergens inside your home, including seasonal maintenance and indoor air quality products. Contact AC Southeast® to locate a licensed heating and air company nearby. They will help improve your indoor air quality and reduce the number of allergens circulating in your home.
Common Allergens in the Fall
Ragweed is the biggest cause of fall allergies in the southeastern U.S. Those who suffer from spring allergies also generally experience health issues from this nasty source. Ragweed can travel for hundreds of miles using wind currents. This makes it harmful to those who aren’t even close to where ragweed grows. Ragweed irritates the eyes and lungs and makes life miserable for many.Mold is the second most common fall allergen for homeowners. As the temperature cools, mold growth rises due to increased dampness in your home. Your heating and air system is vulnerable to mold when the leaves fall and pile up around your exterior unit. The leaves themselves quickly grow mold spores! This debris restricts the airflow around your equipment and traps water inside the inner components. Decreased ventilation and an increase in moisture cause mold to grow throughout your heating and air system.
Use Heating and Air Systems to Fight Back
So, what to do first to fight allergens in your home? Schedule maintenance for your heating and air unit. Many people associate maintenance with enhancing a unit’s performance. However, maintenance also boosts your indoor air quality. Contact AC Southeast® and search our online database for an HVAC contractor with NATE-certified technicians in your area. Heating and air experts know exactly what your unit needs to perform efficiently. Secondly, monitor your outdoor HVAC unit. Clean your exterior equipment when you notice dust and dirt accumulating. Ensure leaves are raked and branches are kept away from your outdoor equipment. If you notice indoor vents are dusty, lightly vacuum around the area. This prevents the debris from building up and circulating throughout your home.One final tip is regular filter maintenance. Check your heating and air filter at least once a month. If you notice excessive dirt or discoloration on your filter, it needs to be replaced. Some models use a reusable filter you can clean. During regular maintenance by a licensed technician, your filter is inspected and replaced if necessary. Individuals in a high-pollen area, with pets or smokers should replace filters more often.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Products to the Rescue
Within the HVAC industry, there are several different indoor air quality products you can use to reduce allergens and other pollutants inside your home. If you notice increased mold or mildew we suggest a whole-home dehumidifier in your heating and air unit. Many homeowners tell us it’s a “game-changer.” The purpose of a dehumidifier is to remove excess moisture from the air before it’s circulated throughout your home. Excess moisture sometimes makes breathing more difficult for those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory illnesses. Plus, high humidity causes dust mites to multiply.Other indoor air quality products, such as air cleaners and ultraviolet air purifiers trap pet dander, pollen, pet dander. Some actually kill viruses and bacteria particulates. These products work with your heating and air unit so the air in your home is filtered and cleaned. To learn more about indoor air quality products, visit AC Southeast® today. Use their dealer search tool to find a quality IAQ and HVAC expert near you. Fall has arrived and with it, fall allergens, such as ragweed and mold. Take preventative steps against allergies: schedule maintenance, check your filters, and install IAQ products in your heating and air unit. Find a licensed HVAC technician close to home by contacting AC Southeast® today.
