If Allergy Season Sends You Running for Shelter, Indoor Air Quality Is Paramount

Allergy season in Portland runs from spring through summer. This extended season for allergies makes it difficult for allergy sufferers to function during spring and summer. Many people suffer from both indoor and outdoor allergies, making it difficult to find comfort indoors or out during pollen season. Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve the indoor air quality of your home, which will reduce the symptoms you feel for indoor allergies. If you make some small adjustments to your indoor filtration systems, you will see fewer allergy symptoms and breathe easier this spring- at least while indoors.

Try the following methods to reduce your allergic symptoms this allergy season:

• Use a dehumidifier: Portland-area homes may experience high levels of humidity, which creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew. A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, collecting it in a tank or pumping it outdoors. Whole-house models attach to your HVAC system while small, portable units take care of particularly troublesome moist spots.
• Change air filters: If you change your air filters frequently, you will catch unwanted dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergy-inducing contaminants. Change your duct filters every three months, and your HVAC filters every six months.
• Seal leaks: Seal leaks in your home’s walls to prevent outdoor allergies from coming indoors. Seal leaks in your ductwork to ensure that all air passing through your ducts enters your HVAC air filters.
• Schedule annual HVAC maintenance: Over time, dust and other allergens get trapped in your HVAC system. Scheduling annual HVAC maintenance will keep your units free of contaminants and operating at top efficiency, which will reduce allergy attacks in your home.
• Clean your home: Removing excess clutter, frequent vacuuming, and frequent dusting will help control unwanted allergy symptoms. Turn on exhaust fans while vacuuming and dusting to allow the dust to enter your home’s air filters rather than drifting back to the floor and furniture.
• Use the right vacuum: If your vacuum isn’t actually capturing settled particles like dust, dirt and allergens, but simply stirring them up, then your indoor air quality may actually be worse after you vacuum than before. Use a model with a HEPA filter installed, which can trap these particles, and be sure to empty the container outside your home, or you may undo all the hard work the HEPA filter just did.
• Disinfect and deodorize your home with a vapor steam cleaner: Pure steam is a natural, non-toxic disinfectant, and can remove allergens and kill bacteria, mold and dust mites on a variety of household surfaces, such as windows, carpets, counters and upholstery.

For more information on how you can last through allergy season in comfort in Oregon, contact us at (503) 266-1249. We provide expert HVAC service to Oregon residents and can help you breathe easier inside your home.