Spring means longer sunshine hours, warmer temperatures, and beautiful flowers blooming. But, unfortunately, it also means an increase in indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. For homeowners, it is time to prepare for the unwanted guests that come with spring, namely allergens and pests that affect IAQ. This blog post delves deeper into why spring is harder on your IAQ and what you can do about it.
Pollen
Pollen is one of the most well-known seasonal allergens. During spring, there is an increase in the amount of pollen in the atmosphere, making it easier to become exposed to it. Pollen is released into the air when the wind blows and lands on every available surface. If you have allergies or asthma, this can cause discomfort or even breathing difficulties. To ensure you breathe clean air, you must change your air filters regularly and use an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Additionally, keeping windows and doors closed during peak hours and using an air conditioning system also helps to reduce exposure to pollen.
Pests
Apart from pollen, pests that come with the warm weather, such as mosquitoes, rodents, and termites, are also a hazard to your IAQ. They can affect your family’s health by contaminating your food and water, spreading diseases, and causing respiratory problems. Keeping your home clean and clutter-free is wise, as pests thrive in dirty and messy spaces. If you have any openings, fix them, as pests can slip through the tiniest gaps. You should also keep your yard well-manicured, as unkempt lawns and yards can attract pests.
Humidity
Maintaining a healthy amount of humidity in your home is always a good idea. However, the increased humidity levels in spring can also cause problems. Humidity encourages the growth of mold and dust mites, which causes allergies and respiratory problems. A portable dehumidifier can help you to maintain a healthy humidity range in your home to prevent the growth of unwanted mold and dust mites. Cleaning your home frequently and changing bedding, linens, and curtains can also help reduce indoor mold growth.
Chemicals
Unfortunately, IAQ does not only get affected by outdoor air quality. Products you use indoors release harmful chemicals that can harm your health. Spring cleaning often leads to the use of harsh chemicals when cleaning. The chemicals can cause headaches, dizziness, and other irritations. Switching to natural cleaning products or using an air purifier with a specific filter designed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOC) can reduce the number of chemicals present in your home.
Spring may be a beautiful time of the year, but it also brings with it several IAQ problems. To ensure you enjoy spring and keep your IAQ healthy, it is crucial to identify IAQ problems unique to spring and take the necessary steps to mitigate them. This includes maintaining good housekeeping practices, using air filters and purifiers, and keeping pests at bay. By keeping these tips in mind, you can enjoy spring's beauty without worrying about its detrimental effect on your IAQ.
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