Dayton ranks among the top 10 worst cities for spring allergies. The problem isn’t just the type of plants and trees in our area, but the fact that they all come into bloom around the same time. Trees such as alder, elm, and maple are the biggest offenders. To get some relief from this spring’s tree pollen, try these allergy tips.
Keep Your HVAC System Clean
Once a year, schedule a professional inspection for both your air conditioner and furnace. Your technician will clean the blower fan, the indoor evaporator coil, and other components so they don’t distribute allergens throughout your house.
Before April, when Dayton’s allergy season starts, clean your air registers and vents. Remove the grilles and use your vacuum’s hose attachment to suck out dust in the vents behind them. Soak the grilles in mild solution of dish soap, wipe them clean, and replace them when dry.
Periodically inspect your A/C’s outdoor unit. If you find dirt and debris on the exterior fins, use a stiff brush clean the fins.
Upgrade Your Air Filters
One of the most beneficial allergy tips you’ll hear is to skip the thin fiberglass HVAC filters and invest in higher-efficiency models. To reduce the pollen and other allergens in your air enough to relieve your allergies, choose a filter with a MERV of 11 or 12.
Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for when to replace your filter. Many higher-efficiency pleated filters can last several months. Even so, inspect your filter monthly and replace it when you find a layer of dust on the surface.
A whole-house air cleaner can further improve your indoor air quality. These devices are installed inside your heating and cooling system and purify all the air passing through so your whole home receives cleaner air. An electronic air cleaner can trap the tiny dust and pollen particles filters miss, while a UV air cleaner neutralizes mold spores, bacteria, and other microbes. Many air cleaners combine several purification methods to control a range of air contaminants.
For more allergy tips, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services anywhere in the Dayton area.
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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