Fall Allergies? Breathe Easier at Home with Indoor Air Quality Products!

Many people look forward to the arrival of the fall season. The changing of the leaves, fun outdoor décor with cornstalks and pumpkins, and the often-cooler temperatures make autumn the season of choice for some. However, for those who suffer from fall allergies, this time of year can be uncomfortable. Nobody wants to deal with itchy, watery eyes, sniffling, and sneezing, but that’s an unfortunate reality for many people this time of year.

While there isn’t a lot you can do to prevent allergens from bothering you while outdoors, the good news is, that there are many products available that can help when it comes to reducing allergens in your home. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most common fall allergies, and provide you with some suggested products that may help clear the air in your home and make you and your family feel more comfortable this season. Keep reading to learn more!

What causes allergies to flare up in the late summer – early fall months?

The reason people notice an uptick in allergy symptoms in the late summer and early fall is largely due to pollen. Particularly, ragweed is in full bloom at this time of year, and it is one of the most allergenic plants in our area. Other plant pollens that are abundant this time of year, such as mugwort, sorrel, and thistle, can also cause issues for allergy sufferers.

Another allergen that is troublesome during the fall is mold. The early autumn weather provides an ideal breeding ground for mold, with damp, decaying leaves and humid weather. Your home’s basement may also experience excess dampness during this time of year, inviting mold to grow in your home as well.

Is there anything I can do to keep allergens like pollen and mold out of my home?

If you want to minimize the number of allergens in your home, the first step is to do what you can to keep them outside. Keep an eye on the weather reports, and on days when the pollen counts are high, keep windows and doors shut as much as possible. When you come in from outside, make sure to leave shoes and outerwear at the door, so you don’t track pollen and mold throughout your home. Vacuum carpeting more frequently, and if you’ve spent the day outdoors, take a shower so you’re not bringing any pollen to bed with you!

Also, look around your home for signs of mold growth, especially if your home tends to be damp. Mold likes to grow in areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements, so be mindful of these areas and if you notice mold growing at any time, use a commercial cleaning product (or a natural product like cleaning vinegar) to kill the mold and help mitigate growth.

What products can help keep my indoor air cleaner?

Of course, taking the necessary steps mentioned above to keep pollen and mold out of your home is helpful. Unfortunately, they might not be enough, especially for people with severe allergies. Luckily, there are many indoor air quality, or IAQ, products available today that can help keep the air in your home cleaner and fresher. At John Betlem, we’re pleased to offer a wide range of IAQ products, including:

• Air Filtration: Filtration helps to keep your indoor air cleaner by trapping pollutants, allergens, and other microscopic particles that can have an adverse effect on the air quality of your home. Proper filtration helps to ensure that you and your family are breathing cleaner, fresher air indoors and can add to the life of your system because clean air is passing through.
• UV Lights: UV purification systems help eliminate mold and bacteria while killing the organisms that often grow in home cooling systems. Installing ultra violet purification will help you enjoy improved air quality and better performance from your home’s cooling system.
• iWave® Air Purification: The iWave air purification system helps to effectively kill mold, bacteria, and viruses in the air of your home. It can help remove particulates, allergens, odors, and smoke from cooking or tobacco use from the air in your home as well.

Can John Betlem help me get the indoor air quality products I need for my home?

At John Betlem Heating & Cooling, Inc., we know your home comfort goes far beyond the temperature of your home. We can help you get the air quality services you need so that you and your family can experience the best in home comfort. Simply give us a call at 585.326.4767 and we will be more than happy to help you with any air quality service need you may have.