Homeowner’s Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Allergy Relief: Tips for a Better Indoor Air Quality and a Pollen-Free Home

Allergy sufferers know what time of year this is. It is allergy season! For the next few months, trees, grasses, and wildflowers will take their turn releasing pollen into the air. On some mornings, you can expect to see the ground covered with pollen. Spring rains will also result in mold blooms if that is your allergy trigger.

It would be nice to escape the high pollen/mold count by going inside like one might find relief from the summer heat. However, the American Lung Association finds that indoor spaces usually have 2 to 5 times the airborne particles found outdoors. Reducing the quantity of indoor contaminants, including pollen and mold spores, will be accomplished by very intentional steps. Here are several precautions one might take to improve indoor air quality during the pollen season.

  1. Stop in Your Tracks. Anyone entering space during this season is bringing pollen and spores with them and transporting them around the house; shoes and coats pick up a healthy supply. Make it a habit of removing shoes and jackets immediately to avoid carrying pollen any further than necessary.
  2. Leave the HVAC fan running 24/7. The cost of operating the fan like this is a fraction of the cost of heating or cooling. The fan collects the entire volume of the home and passes it through an air filter; this happens about every two minutes. The air filter will pick up most pollen and trap it. However, this may require that the air filter be changed more frequently than normal. A clogged air filter will reduce efficiency and prevent the air conditioner from functioning properly.
  3. Cleaning is Essential. Pollen and mold spores are light, but they are heavier than air. When the air is still, particles will settle out of the air and will land on every surface. Dusting, vacuuming, and mopping help to remove these particles forever from your home. Since people spend 8 hours per day sleeping, make sure to change the bedding often.
  4. Open a Window. While the temperatures are mild, turn off the air conditioner and open the window for a few hours. This helps to dilute the level of contamination in indoor spaces. Remember, the outdoor air tends to be cleaner than the indoor air. Make sure to choose a time without high winds, since pollen readily travels on the wind.
  5. Be Aware of Indoor Sources. Some homes have sources of pollen and mold spores hiding in plain sight. Indoor plants may have mold-laden soil, and any blooms may contribute to the pollen count. Pets may also carry pollen/mold; their bedding will need to be cleaned often during this time.

If any family member in your home has allergies or asthma which is severely triggered by pollen or mold spores, you may consider additional technology to clean the home’s air.

  • Consult with your HVAC professional concerning adding ultraviolet lights inside the ductwork. The light energy disrupts the cell walls of living pollen or mold (along with bacteria, viruses, and dust mites). The inert particles lose their allergenic properties and can be captured or cleaned away easily.
  • Family members with severe breathing difficulties may benefit from a whole-house or room air purifier. These devices have multiple layers of filtration and clean the air more thoroughly.

Survive Allergy Season: Improve Indoor Air Quality with the Help of All Cool AC & Heating

Despite the outdoor pollen surge, indoor air quality can be significantly more polluted, exacerbating allergy symptoms. These practical tips like removing outdoor clothing upon entry, maintaining constant HVAC fan operation with clean filters, and frequent cleaning to minimize indoor allergens can help allergy sufferers.

For severe cases, we recommend consulting our indoor air quality HVAC professionals about UV lights and considering air purifiers to enhance indoor air quality.

All Cool AC IAQ professionals can assist with your HVAC repair and HVAC maintenance needs. Schedule your service appointment by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified indoor air quality technicians put their experience to work for you.