Pollen can make you miserable, especially if you suffer from allergies. Almost all of us have been there at some point: itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sniffling and coughing. Feeling poor from high pollen counts can make it difficult to concentrate and hinder you from participating in some of your favorite activities. Fortunately, there are a variety of simple changes South Florida homeowners can adopt to help make allergy season a little more tolerable.
#1 Don’t Let Pollen Get Pass Your Porch
Stop pollen at the door by removing your shoes as soon as you walk in. If you have pets, make sure to wipe down their coat before they enter the house. Pollen easily clings to dogs’ coats.
#2 Plan Your Time Outdoors Accordingly
Pollen counts are typically highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so do your best to avoid spending time outside between those hours. Instead, enjoy the outdoors after it rains once showers have washed away much of the pollen.
#3 Wash Your Hair and Bedding
Shampoo and rinse your hair before going to bed to remove pollen from your skin and to prevent it from entering your bed area. Wash all bedding in hot water and then dry your sheets in a hot dryer to kill dust mites. Dust mites are one of the major causes of indoor allergies, so this is an important step. Avoid line drying your clothes and bedding outside when pollen counts are high.
#4 Lower the Humidity Inside Your Home
If mold spores are the main source of your allergies, monitor your home’s humidity levels. Aim for a humidity level below 60 percent. Consider investing in a smart thermostat with humidity level readings and management capacities. If you’d like to get humidity levels below 50 percent, you’ll want to purchase a dehumidifier. You may also want to get rid of indoor plants, whose soil can harbor mold.
#5 Regularly Change Your Air Filters and Schedule HVAC Maintenance
Air filters collect the dirt and dust pollutant particles circulating through your home’s air. That’s why it’s essential to change your filters on a regular basis. It’s recommended to replace them every one to three months. However, if replacing them sooner seems to help your allergies stock up on extra filters so you can do so. The most important thing homeowners in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties can do is to call Local AC for routine professional HVAC maintenance. Find out why maintenance is so important, and its top five benefits here.
Local AC Can Improve Your South Florida Home’s Air Quality
If you are struggling with pollen inside your South Florida home, or air quality issues in general, Local AC is here to help. We are highly trained in all air quality issues, as well as HVAC jobs of all shapes and sizes–from clogged AC drain pipes, leaking units and residential and commercial system installation, to regular maintenance and reliable repairs. If you live in Miami-Dade or Broward County, Fla. and have questions about your heating and cooling system, call us today. We look forward to providing you with the area’s most superior HVAC service.
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