Air Filters for Seasonal Allergies
Up to 50 million Americans have seasonal allergies in the spring and fall. Allergies cause sneezing, coughing, and phlegm. Blooming plants and pets can cause allergy issues. But, there are other causes. Here’s more about non-natural causes and how to fix them.
Causes of Seasonal Allergies
Radon gas can cause allergy symptoms. Formaldehyde, insecticides, pesticides, cleaning and personal care items can also cause allergy symptoms. Smoking and wood-burning fireplaces can also aggravate allergies. Gasses from cooking and water heaters cause allergies. Central air conditioning can worsen allergy symptoms. Cool air goes through air ducts. These air ducts are in the walls and your attic. This can lead to condensation and mold, a major irritant for most.
The Cure is a Good Air Filter
A good air filter is your main defense against bad air quality. A MERV rating is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Allergy sufferers need a filter with at least an 8 MERV rating. The higher the MERV rating, the more your air gets filtered. You have to check air filters monthly. Replace them every three months or if they are dirty. You can also remove allergens with an electrostatic filter. Other filters include a HEPA filter. These remove 99.97% of contaminants and allergens. You need an HVAC professional to help set up your ventilation system.
