Spring in the Northwest is beautiful. New flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the weather is sunnier. For those of us that live with allergies, springtime blooms mean an increase in sneezing and itchy eyes. Unfortunately, the outside air isn’t the only problem – indoor air pollution can be an issue, too! Here’s how your heating and cooling system plays a part in springtime allergies and how you can reduce symptoms.
Some of the most common indoor air pollutants are pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. These particles circulate through the air and when you breathe them in, you may experience allergies. Your HVAC system can spread these particles through the air you breathe – especially if it is not taken care of. That’s why it is important to optimize your system to keep it functioning at its very best.
The first step: working to improve your indoor air quality so you can reduce your exposure to annoying allergens. You can do this by cleaning or replace your air filter every other month. It is especially important to check the filters during the spring and summer when your allergies are at their peak. Air filters catch dirt, pet dander, dust, and other debris. But if they are not cleaned or replaced often, the debris sits there and keeps being recirculated back into the air.
The second step: don’t neglect professional preventative maintenance appointments for your system. Just like you need to schedule check-ups for your body and oil changes for your car, so do you have to take care of your HVAC system. Our team of knowledgeable technicians will look closely at your machine. We’ll clean all of the internal components, make sure it passes an energy efficiency check, and will look for anything that could pose a problem later down the road.
The last step: consider adding an air purification system to your home or business. These systems not only help clean the indoor air in your home, but they can also capture bacteria and other harmful pathogens that cause illness. Talk to us about air purification system options.
The air you breathe is important! For those that live with allergies or asthma, these simple tips can make a huge difference in reducing your systems. That means you can live more comfortably and enjoy the beautiful spring weather that Oregon has to offer. Call us today to schedule your maintenance appointment or to get a quote on a new machine this spring.
