Spring is a beautiful season here in Texas, but unfortunately, all those blooming flowers and budding trees lead to unpleasant symptoms for allergy sufferers. Some of the most common outdoor Texas allergies include oak pollen, ragweed, cottonwood, and mountain cedar. Then, some pollutants are present indoors no matter where you live, including dust, mold, and pet dander.
Regardless of what you’re allergic to, your air conditioner can either help or hinder indoor air quality. After all, the HVAC unit circulates air around your home, meaning it can also spread allergens. Help everyone in your family breathe easier with these springtime AC tips for allergy sufferers in Texas.
Dust Return & Supply Vents
Are you vigilant about dusting around the house once a week? Don’t forget to dust the grilles on your return and supply vents as well! These areas tend to accumulate grime, attracting dust and hair that whips up every time the air conditioner turns on. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth prevents this dust from circulating around the house.
Install an Efficient Air Filter
The best way to prevent spreading dust and other allergens around your home is to trap them in a filter as they flow through the ductwork. For allergy sufferers, we recommend installing an efficient air filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8 or higher. Then, replace your filter as recommended, which might be once every 30 to 90 days.
For help choosing or changing the filter in your Katy or Sealy, Texas home, please call BVS Home Experts at 281-391-1510.
Increase Ventilation
Airtight homes are energy-efficient, but they trap pollutants, which leads to a higher concentration of indoor allergens and stale-smelling air. The solution is to vent polluted air outside and vent fresh air inside. Spot ventilation with kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans is a good start, but whole-house ventilation is the best way to combat Texas allergies.
Contact BVS for more information about increasing home ventilation.
Control the Humidity
Because of the high humidity in Texas, it’s common for homes to feel muggy, even when the air conditioner is running. This isn’t just uncomfortable—it also promotes mold growth. The key is to keep the relative humidity between 30% and 50% with a dehumidifier. On mild spring days, it may be possible to keep your home comfortable with a dehumidifier alone, decreasing your air conditioning costs in the process.
To learn more about your dehumidifier installation options, contact BVS in Katy or Sealy, TX.
Clean Your Air Ducts
Do you ever experience allergy symptoms that only seem to appear while you’re at home? This could be a sign that you have mold, mildew, bacteria, or viruses hiding in your ductwork. A thorough cleaning is the best way to thwart these air conditioning allergies.
BVS offers professional air duct cleaning in Katy and Sealy, Texas. Call us at 281-391-1510 to schedule an appointment.
Seal the Ductwork
Typical ductwork loses about 20% to 30% of the air traveling through it to leaks, holes, and poor connections. This wastes energy by letting cooled air escape into the attic, crawl space, and garage. Leaks don’t just allow air to flow out of the ducts—they also allow air to enter. This is how chemicals, dust, insulation particles, and other debris make their way into your home. Duct sealing solves this problem by closing up the gaps in your ductwork.
Save energy and improve indoor air quality—contact BVS to schedule air duct sealing today.
Fight Springtime Allergies with Help From BVS Home Experts
With a few changes at home, you can breathe easier this spring and throughout the rest of the year. If you need help implementing these tips, please reach out to BVS. We can test your indoor air quality and provide specific recommendations to improve it.
Gain control over your HVAC allergies—contact BVS at 281-391-1510 to schedule indoor air quality services in Katy or Sealy, Texas.
Author Bio:
Ronald Via
Ronald is one of the key contributors to BVS Home Experts, a family-owned and operated full-service air conditioning and heating company serving the Katy and West Houston areas. With a deep understanding of air conditioning and heating concerns, Ronald brings a wealth of knowledge to our readers.
