Over 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies costing a total of over $18 billion annually. That’s a huge impact! As spring arrives and seasonal allergies are triggered, it’s important to have a strategy to reduce the dust in your home.
Many of the best ways to reduce dust are in partnership with your Jacksonville AC maintenance service provider, J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing. We offer a variety of services to keep your family breathing easier.
What Are Dust Allergies?
Dust allergies, or indoor allergies, are a condition where the dust inside a home causes an allergic reaction, usually in the form of allergic rhinitis or upper respiratory irritation. Symptoms include post-nasal drip, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Dust mites are a primary cause of indoor allergies. However, other irritants, like mold, pollen, pet hair, and cockroaches also trigger indoor allergies. Exposure to these indoor dust irritants may also trigger asthma or an eczema flare-up.
While seasonal indoor allergies aren’t deadly, they lead to lost productivity, unwanted expenses, and sickness. Look for ways to reduce the dust in your home in order to lessen the impact of dust allergies for you and your family.
Strategies to Decrease Dust in Your Home
Don’t wait until you hear sneezing. Be proactive to reduce dust and other irritants in your home.
1 – Keep Your House Clean
One of the biggest ways to reduce airborne allergens is with regular cleaning. A clean home positively impacts indoor air quality and removes dust from the air and surfaces. Weekly cleaning is essential for reducing dust allergies. Vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms, sanitize kitchens, and clean solid surface floors.
Keep clutter at a minimum to reduce the surface area where dust can build up. Sort through unused or unwanted items to donate or throw away. Also, change bed linens weekly to remove dust mites and other dust particles, like dead skin. Wash other linens like rugs, curtains, and pillows quarterly to reduce dust exposure. A clean home offers great protection from allergy flare-ups.
2 – Keep Dust Out of Your Home
The best way to reduce dust is by not letting it inside in the first place. One great practice is to remove shoes before entering your home. This keeps outdoor germs off your floors. Place mats at entryways for visitors to leave their shoes when entering. Mats absorb dirt and debris.
Other strategies like using non-toxic cleaning products also help improve air quality and keep asthma and allergies at bay. For homes with insect infiltration, like cockroaches, hire an exterminator to manage pest control.
3 – Change HVAC Air Filters
The job of an air filter is to remove dust, grime, and debris from the air before it enters your home. A dirty or clogged air filter won’t work properly. This not only means your air quality suffers, but your HVAC unit must work harder to push air into your home. This impacts energy costs and shortens the life of your unit.
Choose the best air filter for your home based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. For families with severe allergies, an air filter with a higher MERV rating produces better results to prevent allergies.
4 – Professional Duct Cleaning
Another way to keep the air in your home clean and reduce allergens is with professional duct cleaning. This service is provided by AC maintenance companies in Jacksonville, like J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing.
Air duct cleaning is designed to clean the inside of your ventilation system where particles can build up over time. Often irritants, like mold spores, pollen, smoke, bacteria, and more, can stick inside your HVAC ventilation system and reduce the air quality in your home.
5 – HVAC Preventative Maintenance
HVAC preventative maintenance is essential to keep your HVAC unit working properly. However, regular AC maintenance also improves air quality and energy efficiency for your home. Preventative maintenance usually includes both inspection and cleaning of your HVAC unit.
This critical task should be done twice a year for the best results. HVAC maintenance is a smart investment to improve the health of your family and keep energy costs in check. Don’t delay, schedule your HVAC maintenance today!
6 – Install a Dehumidifier
Too much indoor humidity is a breeding ground for poor indoor air quality. Mold and mildew both impact indoor allergies, and they both thrive in humid environments. Install a dehumidifier to help control the humidity level in your home. A dehumidifier works to remove excess moisture from the air creating a healthier living space.
Invest in Allergy Solutions
You and your family don’t have to suffer from indoor allergies. Instead, invest in solutions that decrease dust and improve indoor air quality. While not all symptoms can be avoided, reducing the impact of seasonal allergies can save you money and suffering.
Partner with your local Jacksonville AC maintenance provider at J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing to incorporate solutions. We offer preventative HVAC maintenance, duct cleaning, and dehumidifier installation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
