How To Reduce Fall Allergies

It’s no secret that Central Kentucky is saturated with allergens. From pollen to ragweed, fall and spring can be miserable times for residents who suffer from allergies. You can learn how to reduce your fall allergies with these tips for improving your indoor air quality.

Change And Upgrade Your Filter

Your air filter is one of the most critical pieces of proper indoor air quality. To maintain a comfortable climate inside of your home, your system is constantly circulating and filtering air. In fact, every day over one million cubic feet of air is moved through your system. With this air comes an inevitable amount of dust, dirt, debris, and other allergens, which your filter can catch before they enter your home. A clean filter, then, not only helps your system run efficiently and smoothly, but also provides you with cleaner, healthier air.

To help your filter perform as well as possible, remember to change it regularly. With any standard fiberglass filter, you should be changing your filter at least every 30 days. With a higher efficiency filter, however, you can improve your indoor air quality and change your filter less regularly. In fact, some electronic air cleaners can remove up to 100 times more allergens from your home’s air than a standard fiberglass filter. Air filters vary greatly with different options for forms, materials, thickness, and other features, so be sure to ask your HVAC technician which filter is right for you and your system.

Take Care Of Your Fall Cleaning

Just as you make a spring cleaning list, fall cleaning is just as important. As you make your fall cleaning to-do list, don’t forget to add your heating and cooling system as a top priority. Similar to the rest of your home, your heating and cooling system needs to be cleaned regularly. Once you have cleaned and changed your filter, open your vents fully and clean or remove any excess dust or dirt that has built up.

For an even greater clean, schedule a professional duct cleaning for your system. The ductwork for your system is an easy area for pollen, hair, pet dander, dust, dirt, and other contaminants to get trapped. While you do not need to have a duct cleaning performed every year, a professional duct cleaning can significantly improve your indoor air quality be removing any contaminants that have inevitably built up in your home’s ducts.

Consider Additional Indoor Air Quality Products

There are plenty of products that work directly with your cooling system to reduce allergens. Ultraviolet Germicidal Lamps are a very popular option for families who are serious about controlling the contaminants in their air. These high intensity “H” lamps can neutralize airborne pathogens and guard against viruses, bacteria, and especially pollen. These lamps are only one example of  products that can help upgrade your system. Be sure to talk to your HVAC technician about other options they may offer during your system check.

Schedule a System Check and Safety Inspection

Your system works the hardest in the summer and winter, so fall is an ideal time to have your system thoroughly checked. With a professional system check, you can also make sure that your system is providing the highest level of indoor air quality possible.

During a professional system check, your technician will thoroughly inspect the air ducts, filters, registers and recommend any additional steps or products that could help with your specific indoor air quality needs.

For more information on how to reduce fall allergies or to schedule a System Check and Safety Inspection, be sure to call Fayette Heating & Air at 859-233-0424.