Everyone knows that winter is cold and flu season, and spring is allergy season, right? But what if we told you that winter can often make your allergies worse? You know that stuffy nose you always get? Or how about the itchy, dry eyes that plague you all winter long? While you may have assumed the common cold was causing your symptoms, chances are your allergies were to blame. What’s causing your worsened allergy symptoms during winter? The experts at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating explain.
Poor Indoor Air Quality and Allergies
Because most of us run our furnaces non-stop throughout the winter season, we need to pay special attention to indoor air quality during the colder months. If your home has a forced-air heating system, your ductwork can trap all manner of allergy-producing particles, including dust, dander, bacteria, insect waste, and dust mites, just to name a few. During winter, ventilation is at a minimum due to frigid outside temperatures, which allows these particles to circulate freely around your home. And while your HVAC filters do combat certain airborne impurities, they can’t catch everything.
Air Purification Reduces Allergy Symptoms
HVAC filters are really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to controlling airborne impurities within your home. Air purification systems, however, are designed to provide advanced protection against allergy-causing airborne particles and other harmful substances. Because we tend to spend substantial time indoors throughout the winter, installing an air purification system can drastically improve persistent allergy symptoms.
Advanced HEPA filtration systems are designed to capture 99.97 percent of particles 0.3 micrometers and larger as air passes through the filter. For reference, a single strand of hair is about 100 to 150 micrometers wide—so you can imagine just how microscopic 0.3 micrometers really is. With filtration that fine, the system can trap virtually any allergy-causing particle. At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, our technicians will work with you to develop effective purification solutions to fit your home and budget.
Additional Allergy-Reducing Tips
While purifying the air within your home can drastically reduce bothersome symptoms, allergy-causing particles are more prone to accumulation in certain areas around your home. To minimize your exposure to these particles, try the following:
● If you have pets, bathe them regularly to control hair and dander accumulation. Wash pet bedding frequently to prevent allergen buildup.
● Wash your sheets and pillowcases once a week in hot water to kill dust mites, mold spores, and bacteria.
● Use impermeable pillowcases to control dust mite buildup within your pillows.
● Avoid down and feather bedding as it creates a perfect environment for dust mite proliferation.
● Vacuum daily and dispose of vacuum waste outdoors, in a sealed container.
● Control mold and dust mite proliferation by maintaining a humidity level of less than 50 percent, and immediately drying wet surfaces throughout your home.
Need an Air Purifier? Call Steve’s Plumbing & Heating
If you or your loved ones suffer from persistent allergies during the winter season, contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating in central Wisconsin. Our experienced team will work with you to develop a purification plan designed for your unique circumstances and budget. We can also examine your heating and cooling system to determine if allergen buildup within your ductwork may be exacerbating your symptoms. To schedule your service or for any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team today. Or, to get started right away, feel free to request your free estimate!