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.
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.
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 air they 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.
quality of the indoor air they 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 Comfort 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!
the expertise you need. The indoor air quality experts at Johnson Comfort 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!
