How Franklin Homeowners Can Boost Air Quality During Allergy Season

You don’t think about your allergies all that much this time of year. But you always know when the first flowers start to bloom, because that’s when your nose gets stuffy, and your throat gets dry. For many allergy sufferers in Franklin, spring can be a tough time to be outside. In fact, allergens inside your Franklin home can make your discomfort even worse. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the quality of the air in your home.

Just how clean is your home’s air?

If you’re like most Franklin homeowners, you probably assume that the air in your home is pretty clean. After all, you do a great job of keeping your home presentable. But even the most diligent housekeeper may miss the biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality. For example, even a clean home’s air is full of microscopic contaminants like pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander. Know what all those things have in common? They’re allergens that can contribute to sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and even more severe respiratory problems for those with asthma or allergies.

How can you improve the air quality?

The most important thing the average Franklin resident can do to improve the quality of the indoor airthey breathe is to take steps to keep outdoor allergens from sneaking into their home. While you might enjoy the smell of fresh air, it’s wise to keep your doors and windows closed, especially from mid-morning to early afternoon when pollens tend to be at a peak. Sealing gaps around windows and door frames with caulk or weatherstripping can reduce the number of allergens sneaking into your home on drafts. Placing high-quality doormats outside each entrance and asking visitors to remove their shoes can reduce allergens being tracked in.

Cleaning and vacuuming matters

Dust and allergens can accumulate quickly inside Franklin homes, especially on furniture, floors, and other surfaces. Regularly using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will trap many microscopic particles, unlike older models that redistribute what their filters can’t block back into the air. Dusting with damp microfiber cloths traps contaminants, unlike dry dusters. Washing your bedding and pillowcases in hot water will remove allergens and kill dust mites.

Get better HVAC filters

If you typically use bargain filters in your heating and cooling system, it’s time to step up your game. Higher-efficiency filters, particularly HEPA filters, are capable of capturing up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Consider air purification

Installing a traditional air cleaner on your heating and cooling system can help, but today’s advanced whole-home air purifiers are far more effective at removing all sorts of pollutants and allergens, as well unpleasant household odors. That means less use of air fresheners, which may aggravate allergy symptoms. Most purifiers use HEPA or advanced carbon filtration, with some types using ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy unhealthy microbes.

Control humidity, too

Your Franklin home’s air quality can also be affected by the level of indoor humidity. High humidity promotes mold growth and dust mites, while low humidity can irritate your respiratory system. Using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms can reduce moisture from showers and cooking. Dehumidifiers can reduce excess humidity in stubborn areas like basements, while whole-house humidifiers make your home feel more comfortable and reduce static electricity during the winter months.

Regular maintenance matters

Keeping your home’s heating and cooling system in good working order helps people with allergy issues stay more comfortable and can reduce their symptoms. When home systems are working as cleanly and efficiently as possible, they’re less likely to break down and generally don’t use as much of that costly energy.

We’re your local air quality experts

If you’re ready to improve your home’s air quality, you don’t have to look far to find the expertise you need. The indoor air quality experts at Johnson Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing will be happy to listen to your air quality concerns and examine your Franklin home’s current heating and cooling system to identify potential issues. They’ll explain your options and recommend the strategies that will produce the results you want … then install it so you start breathing easier right away. There’s no need to put up with poor-quality air when a quick call to our team will take care of everything!