When spring rolls around in Kansas, that usually means the season of rain, flowers…and allergies. From runny noses to watery eyes, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year. Although these issues are usually related to the season and nature, there are things that can be done to minimize allergy symptoms in the home and office.
Keep Humidity Levels Low
Humidity levels for ideal comfort should be between 30% and 50%.¹ In Wichita, humidity levels outside average 80 percent!² Humidity can cause more problems than just frizzy hair. One major issue is dust mites, which like to live in warm, humid spaces. Dust mites can cause many issues from simple runny noses to more extreme problems like asthma, which can be even worse for young children in your home.
Even though dusting and vacuuming can get rid of dust mites temporarily at the surface level, taking steps to reduce the humidity in the house can help minimize them in the first place. One step that can be taken to lower the humidity levels is with a dehumidifier fit to your A/C unit. This will remove the humidity in the air and even dehydrate the dust mites.
Preventing Dust Mites
Preventing dust mites starts with keeping the humidity levels in your home low, but that’s not the only necessary step to keep them away. Once the humidity levels are reduced, it’s time to make sure your A/C unit is actually running properly. To prevent dust mites from returning and causing build up, your air conditioning needs to circulate evenly throughout your home. With a system check-up, we can make sure everything is clean and correct with your A/C unit.
Other Methods to Prevent Allergies
Dust mites might play a major role in the reason for allergies, but they aren’t the only thing causing the sniffling and sneezing. One way to make sure dust, dirt, and pollutants aren’t flying through your air is by regularly replacing the air filter. Typically, air filters should be replaced every three months to ensure that there is quality airflow.
Another major factor that influences humidity levels in the home is fluctuating temperatures when transitioning from winter to spring. Obviously, we can’t control what is going on outside, but we can control the temperatures in our homes! By using a programmable thermostat, you can keep the temperature stable to prevent further mucus and allergies.
The last method to cure those spring allergies is the removal of standing water. When you’re drinking a nice cup of ice-cold water, condensation starts to form on the outside of the cup. Well, with an A/C unit blasting constant cold air, condensation will also begin to form. Without regular system services, condensation will start to clog the drain lines and produce contaminants that are pushed through the airflow in your home. A regular system check-up of your A/C unit will help identify any issues with allergens before they enter your home. Contact us today to set up your air conditioning service!
Sources:
- Regulating Humidity Levels Can Help Protect Your Health, Home And Comfort. (2015, October 7). Retrieved March 23, 2018, from https://www.lennox.com/lennox-life/comfort-matters/healthy-home/regulating-humidity-levels-can-help-protect-your-health-home-and-comfort
- U.S. Average Humidity State Rank. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2018, from http://www.usa.com/rank/us–average-humidity–state-rank.htm
