With threats like pollen and mold taking to the air almost year-round, Houston residents have a lot to contend with when it comes to allergies. Minimize your discomfort and help keep allergens at bay with the right strategies for the Texas climate.
Know the Threats
Houston’s warm weather makes it a hotspot for allergens. Tree pollen can start acting up as early as January, continuing all the way through September with cedar, pine, oak, elm, ash, pecan, and hackberry taking to the air. By March, grass has typically entered the mix. Grasses will continue to irritate allergy sufferers until July, with Bermuda, Bahia, red top, sweet vernal, and timothy topping the list of irritants. Houston’s humidity can also create some serious problems with mold and mildew for those who are sensitive to these growths.
Protect Your Home Environment
The best way to keep allergens out of your home is to run the air conditioning. Resist the urge to open your windows even when the spring weather hits perfect temperatures. Your air conditioner will help minimize the irritants in your home, but open windows and doors will let more Texas allergens flood in.
You can prevent mold and mildew by keeping a close eye on humidity. Install a dehumidifier if necessary to keep moisture levels down. Look for signs of mold or mildew growth in the bathroom, kitchen, and any other area that’s regularly exposed to high levels of humidity. If you spot the signs of a growth, clean it up immediately and treat the area with vinegar to prevent future growth.
Add Air Cleaners
If you have family members who suffer serious allergy symptoms, your standard air conditioning system won’t do the job. Install an air purifier to further reduce allergens and pollutants in the air. A product like the Infinity Air Purifier GAPA will trap as much as 95 percent of pathogens that are .30 microns in size or larger.
If you need help choosing the right air cleaner or HVAC system for your home, contact Maxx A/C at (281) 338-2653.
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