The sunshine and beautiful scenery in Brooksville, FL are reasons to want to stay outdoors, but seasonal allergies send some people back into their homes. Unfortunately, HVAC systems pull in household allergens from outdoors and increase sneezing, sniffling and other allergy symptoms. Find out if you have any of these seven household allergens hiding in your home and how to keep the unwanted triggers out.
1. Spores
Spores grow in moist spaces in your home, including bathrooms and kitchens; however, you can also find them in your HVAC systems, air ducts and painted surfaces like your walls. Pay attention to black, green or white spots that suddenly appear in these areas, and make an appointment to test any spores you find. Even if you don’t see any, your technician might find spores during heating repairs or maintenance, in which case you can go over options to control the spores’ spread.
2. Pet Dander and Flea Dirt
No matter how often you groom your pets, pet dander and flea dirt can find their way into your ductwork and vents and then circulate in the air. Pets’ hair can also become a problem inside your heater and cause blockages.
As a best practice, try to set up pet grooming more consistently, and keep your pets on a flea and tick treatment. You’ll see a dramatic reduction in debris from pets and pests circulating throughout your home.
3. Pollen, Ragweed and Goldenrod
Weed pollen from ragweed and goldenrod spreads from August to December in Florida, and the allergen causes a range of respiratory symptoms. If the weeds are outside your home, the weed pollen circulates in your HVAC system and stays in your home in the fall. Seasonal HVAC cleaning and airing out your house help decrease contact with these allergens.
4. Household Dust and Dust Mites
Daily cleaning and dusting reduce household dust and get rid of dust mites. However, busy work schedules don’t allow for deep cleaning of everything, and these allergens accumulate fast, causing unwanted allergy symptoms. Consult your HVAC service provider about installing an air cleaner to supplement daily cleaning and keep dust levels safer in your home.
5. Cockroaches and Related Debris
Cockroaches enter the home through cracks and crevices and reproduce in spaces, such as inside walls, leaving behind dusty debris. Cockroaches often find their way into floor vents and ventilation systems without warning, and related allergens and unpleasant smells enter indoor spaces as the HVAC system circulates air.
Set up an HVAC inspection and seasonal and ductwork cleaning services to find and eliminate these allergens in your vents and ventilation system. Check for water leaks in your kitchen and bathroom, as cockroaches thrive in wet, damp spaces. Consult a pest control service to manage the cockroaches.
6. Radon Underneath Your House
Radon gas increases cancer risks, and environmental services find it in the soil underneath thousands of homes nationwide. Testing for radon is the best way to detect the current radon levels entering your home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), installing a radon reduction system to draw radon from the soil and a fan to force it outside is the best way to mitigate radon-related cancer risks.
7. Creosote and Soot
Fireplaces are safe harbors for substances, including creosote and soot, and both substances are toxic. Creosote contains many particles, including carbon monoxide, and if your chimney isn’t cleaned properly and often, creosote can increase the risk of chimney fires that spread quickly. Soot, like creosote, is also toxic and causes serious respiratory risks after long-term exposure.
Allergens emerge year-round in Brooksville, FL due to its warm climate, and cleaning your home isn’t the only solution to removing these substances. HVAC technicians help clean out your heating systems and reduce the accumulation and circulation of harmful pathogens in your home. Contact Senica Air Conditioning to schedule maintenance services to improve your home’s air quality and the health of everyone who lives there.
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