Allergy season is quickly approaching and you know what that means? Spring cleaning! Allergy control begins at home. When pollen and mold increase outdoors, it’s important for indoor air to be a place of ease for those with allergies. Indoor pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, and even cockroaches can also cause problems. We’ve put together a couple of tips to beat allergies this year by properly preparing your home for the tough battle against the most common sources:
Vacuum
The first step you can take in the battle against allergies is vacuuming at least twice a week. No one likes to vacuum, but it’s such an easy way to reduce allergens. Although, be cautious of the vacuum you use, older and lower-quality vacuums can actually put dust into the air. If you’re unsure about your vacuum, check out this list of vacuums that have been proven to keep allergens from going back into the air in your home.
The vacuums that will be extremely beneficial to your health would be the ones with a variety of attachments and powerful suction. Attachments are going to help you eliminate allergens, dust, and debris in all the nooks and crannies of your home.
Before buying a new vacuum, do a thorough walk-through of your home. Try to spot the areas that give you trouble while cleaning, then look for a vacuum with attachments and suction that’ll make cleaning those tough spots easier. Deep vacuuming more frequently during allergy season will significantly reduce the allergens in your indoor air.
Air Duct Cleanings
If you clean frequently and dust reappears soon after, that’s the first sign of dirty air ducts. Did you know that the state of your air ducts can heavily impact the number of allergens and dust in your home? A single piece of dust can contain flakes of dead skin, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites. Dust is causing a flare in your allergies, it’s time to minimize it.
If you can’t remember the last time you had your ducts cleaned, it’s probably time to call J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing to do an HVAC deep clean! It could be a simple fix, such as switching out an old filter, but if you have mold or mildew growing in your ducts it could be making your allergies much worse. We recommend having your ducts cleaned once a year to maintain a healthy living environment.
Mold Reduction
Reducing moisture in your bathroom, kitchen and other areas will help prevent and diminish mold. The following tips are sure ways to reduce mold growth:
- Don’t run your showers for a long time and make sure the ventilation fans are on when you do shower.
- Use humidity monitors and dehumidifiers to reduce mold and dust mites.
- Limit the number of plants you keep in your house.
- Fix all leaks and other causes of dampness.
- If you see mold on a surface, clean it immediately and wear a mask to do so.
- Clean the surface each week to keep the mold from returning.
Regular System Cleanings
Your air conditioning unit isn’t just for keeping your house cool or warm, it also serves as a way to reduce allergens. Keep your indoor air comfortable no matter the season by scheduling regular preventative maintenance. An inspection typically includes examining the ducts, motor, blower, drain line, coils, working pressures, and temperature, return and supply lines, and refrigerant levels. Failing to check your system routinely can result in larger and more expensive problems. You can boost your system’s lifespan, lower your utility bills and breathe cleaner air when our team at J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing checks your unit regularly!
There are a few things you can do on your own to help your system run optimally. First, you should change your filter every one to three months. If you’re a pet owner, an indoor smoker, you have a large family or someone in your household has allergies, We highly recommend changing your filter monthly. Make sure you’re using high-quality air filters as well. Second, an outdoor system tends to suck any debris stuck to its cover into your house, so make sure it’s debris-free. Lastly, check your air vents for mold.
Other Preventative Measures
Because there are so many potential problems your indoor air quality may face, it’s important you schedule your indoor air quality services with a trained professional who can help you determine how best to resolve your problems. Other services that’ll ensure your indoor air quality is perfect all year long are:
- Air filtration systems
- Air purifiers
- Humidifiers
- Dehumidifiers
- UV Air Purifiers
- Duct Sealing
- Duct testing
- Heat recovery ventilators
- Insulation
Don’t settle for poor indoor air quality in your home. Our team at J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing has the products and services you need to live in a cleaner, healthier environment.
“Superb! This is the best company I’ve dealt with in Jacksonville for HVAC repairs and maintenance. Totally professional and customer service is driven. I highly recommend their air quality services – you’ll be glad you did.” – Robert C. (5/5 stars)
Your HVAC system can jeopardize your and your family’s health. Don’t let allergies win this year! Use the tips above to improve your indoor air quality not only during allergy season but all year long. We’ve heard stories of customers whose allergy symptoms decreased so greatly, they no longer felt the need to take medication. J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing has been trusted by the Jacksonville community for over 50 years and we’re here to give you honest advice and simple, transparent repairs. Our priority is that your system runs smoothly no matter the season and that you and your loved ones can live comfortably. Schedule an inspection today online or by calling us at (904) 764-0040.
