Spring is around the corner, which means that allergy season is coming soon, too. There are few things more uncomfortable than the telltale head congestion associated with most allergy symptoms. While allergy medication may offer some small amount of relief, it’s often accompanied by serious, distracting side effects like headaches and drowsiness. While it’s impossible to control the amount of allergen exposure that you experience outdoors, there are several steps that you can take to reduce the number of allergens that you are exposed to in the comfort of your own home.
It may be surprising to learn that your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system isn’t just for heating and cooling your abode. In fact, it plays a significant role in regulating your home’s indoor air quality.
There are a number of steps that you can take to ensure that you’re maximizing your HVAC system’s potential for improving indoor air quality. There are four types of filters that you can install in your home’s HVAC system: flat panel filters, medium efficiency filters, high efficiency filters and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Flat panel filters exclusively protect the furnace and don’t actually filter the air. Medium and high efficiency filters both remove some large particulates from the air, which could help to reduce dust coverage and allergy symptoms. HEPA filters, meanwhile, filter out all particulates from the air, eliminating dusts and allergens.
Working with experienced HVAC contractors in Grand Rapids, MN is one of the best ways that you can reduce the number of allergens that you’re exposed to in your home. Here are just a few steps that you and your contractor can take together to ensure that you are able to enjoy the spring season without an allergy attack:
- Install HEPA filters: Installing HEPA filters is the best way to immediately reduce the number of allergens circulating through your home. In fact, HEPA filters are an effective way of eliminating dusts, bacteria, mold spores and other potentially harmful particulates that could be floating through your space.
- Consider UV lamps: One way that you can go the extra mile and eliminate potential allergen exposure is by installing UV lamps in your home’s ductwork. UV lamps kill off bacteria, mold spores and other potential allergens that could be causing your discomfort.
- Keep humidity down: Keeping the humidity low in your home is key to keeping your allergy symptoms at bay. Mold is one of the most common causes of in-home allergic reactions. Usually, the ventilation provided by your HVAC system should be enough to prevent mold growth. In some cases, however, you may want to consider investing in a dehumidifier.
For more than three decades, Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc. has been one of the premier HVAC contractors in Grand Rapids, MN. We’re proud to provide quality heating, air conditioning and plumbing services to each and every one of our clients. To learn more about our approach to residential HVAC and plumbing care, reach out to one of our friendly representatives today.