Experts are predicting a longer and more intense allergy season in 2013 than in previous years. When you live in an area that is as infamous for allergies as Hampton Roads, you need all the help you can get from your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system. Even in a mild year, seasonal allergies can start as early as February, leaving some Hampton Roads residents sniffling for several months at a time. With proper use and maintenance of an air conditioning unit, you can help keep the sniffles at bay and keep allergens out of your home.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, resist the temptation to open your windows in the springtime. The weather may be nice, but pollen and other allergens can make their way into your home through open windows and settle into rugs and upholstered surfaces, hanging around long after the windows themselves are closed. Instead of opening the windows, use your air conditioner to keep your home cool and allergen-free. Do the same when driving – keeps the windows and sunroof closed and use AC instead.
Regular maintenance and cleaning of your home’s AC unit is also highly recommended for allergy prevention. Some things are easy to do by yourself. Change your air filter on a regular basis, which is usually every thirty to sixty days – unless you have pets. If you have pets, allergies, or both, a good interval is every thirty to forty-five days. You should also clean the vents in the rooms inside your home with a damp cloth or paper towel so that they don’t blow out dust when the air is flowing.
But some of the cleaning tasks for your air conditioning unit are best left to the professionals. Every few years, get a thorough professional cleaning of the unit’s coils, blower, and ducts to prevent buildup of dust or mold growth inside the unit. If you can’t remember the last time a professional cleaned your air conditioning unit, it’s probably time to have it done. Mold could be growing inside, which could actually be making your seasonal allergies worse. Professional cleaning can also help the unit to operate more efficiently, which can lower your cooling costs.
A little bit of maintenance can go a long way in helping your air conditioning unit become your ally in the battle against seasonal allergies. Allergy season is just getting started, so consider getting a professional cleaning of your air conditioning unit done today, before mold or pollen become serious issues.
Make an appointment with Maximum Air to have your air conditioning unit inspected and cleaned so that your home can be allergen-free! We serve homes and businesses all over Hampton Roads.
Call 757-349-6247 to make your appointment today!
http://www.virginiaheatingcooling.com/