The brutal winter continues to take its toll on the Miami Valley even though it’s actually been over for several weeks. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation says Dayton is one of the worst spring allergy cities in America, and one of the reasons is all of the snow that fell. One way to protect your family from springtime allergies is with a high-functioning air conditioning system.
New high-efficiency air conditioners being installed in U.S homes not only save energy, they’re capable of circulating air at greater volumes throughout a home. This means that the irritants that can trigger springtime allergies are being filtered out of the air inside your home at a higher rate. These A/C systems also do a better job of removing moisture from the air, helping reduce excessive humidity levels, another cause of springtime allergies.
While there’s no way to eliminate all allergens from entering your home, experts say closing the windows and running the air conditioner will definitely help. It’s also recommended that you install a high-efficiency filter in your A/C or heat pump that’s capable of removing the airborne pollen and other particulates that trigger springtime allergies. Government studies show that a filter with a MERV rating of 8 to 12 will provide more than adequate protection as long as it’s replaced (or cleaned for reusable filters) on a regular basis. Air purifiers can help as well; some units can be installed right in the forced-air system, or you can get a portable unit to place in the room of an allergy sufferer.
To provide protection from springtime allergies, your home A/C system must be operating at peak performance levels, which means it’s essential to schedule regular maintenance on the system, as well as perform some maintenance tasks yourself (such as filter changes and cleaning coils). Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. has been serving the Dayton area for three generations and can answer any questions you have about keeping your home allergy free.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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