The Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Guide to Fall Allergy Season

Can you have allergies during the fall? You most definitely can! Allergens can strike at any moment. Although spring allergies may be more common, allergies in the fall are a substantial problem for millions of people. Here, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing will help you understand and overcome fall allergies. Sadly, the solution isn’t as straightforward as staying away from the pollen-filled world outside your home. Fall allergy season finds several ways into your home. By identifying what causes fall allergies, you can fully understand the best ways to limit them. 

How to Identify Fall Allergy Symptoms 

Recognizing your fall allergy symptoms can be trickier than it might seem. The symptoms of seasonal fall allergies are commonly subtle and mistaken for a mild cold. Coughing, sneezing and sinusitis tend to be symptoms that develop in both fall allergies and the common cold. A healthcare provider is always the most dependable source for confirming allergies. However, a few common symptoms of fall allergies and sinusitis include: 

  • Itchy or watery eyes 
  • Sneezing 
  • Coughing 
  • Headache 
  • Fatigue or tiredness 

What Produces Fall Allergies? 

When investigating what causes fall allergies in your specific case, there are many likely culprits. Dust mites and allergens can build up in difficult-to-reach places throughout your home. The majority of these sources of seasonal fall allergies can be controlled with professional air quality services such as those offered by Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. That said, the most prevalent sources of indoor fall allergies include: 

  • Airborne pollen 
  • Mold 
  • Dust mites 
  • Pets 
  • Wall-to-wall carpet 
  • Damp areas 
  • Indoor plants 
  • Stuffed toys 
  • Mattresses and other cushioned furniture 
  • Debris accumulation inside your air ducts 

Remedies for Seasonal Fall Allergies 

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says that homeowners managing fall allergies could enhance their air quality in three ways. First, you can limit your exposure to airborne allergens within your home. This involves having a whole-house dehumidifier, cleaning ducts and keeping your home from getting too warm. Second, you should ventilate your space, making sure that airborne particles don’t build up in stagnant air. Third, you could look at installing an air cleaner to clear allergens from the air. Learn more about these solutions below. 

Reduce Your Home’s Humidity with a Whole-House Dehumidifier 

When the air in your home deviates from the EPA’s ideal humidity levels (30%-40% humidity), it creates ideal conditions for mold, dust mites and various other sources of allergic attacks. With a whole-house dehumidifier, you have accurate control over the humidity levels in your entire home. These modern dehumidifiers permit you to control the humidity in your home within 1% of the desired levels, erasing the conditions for excess mold, dust mites, fungi, bacteria and other contaminants. 

Keep Your Air Clean With Ultraviolet Germicidal Lights 

Ultraviolet germicidal lights purify the air in your home before it spreads through your home. As the air flows out of your HVAC unit and enters your ducts, it passes through a powerful ultraviolet light that deactivates contaminants before they can disperse. This system addresses the question, “What is the best air purifier for allergies?” This system should quickly make your air noticeably cleaner. UV lights have been shown to eliminate half of the concentrated bioaerosols within their initial 45 minutes of use. 

Trap Contaminants with HEPA Air Filters 

When you need a high-efficiency air filter, you need a HEPA air filter that can trap 99.97% of the pollutants in the air. Because of their unique design, these filters collect the most prevalent triggers of fall allergies from their air, including ragweed, pollen and dust mites. HEPA air filters also eliminate contaminants such as: 

  • Tobacco smoke 
  • Dirt particles 
  • Pollen 
  • Ragweed 
  • Dust mites 
  • Various odors and airborne chemicals 

Routinely Clean Your HVAC System’s Ducts 

Traditionally, HVAC systems have not always done a thorough job getting rid of pollutants from the air. This means that debris routinely circulates through ductwork for a very long time. Over time, some of that debris can build up within your ventilation. This is why many people recommend Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and our duct cleaning services before switching on the heat for the first time in the fall. This can minimize one of the most substantial sources of airborne pollutants within your home. 

The 10 Cities in the United States With the Most Difficult Fall Allergy Seasons 

Often, your location has a big impact on the intensity of your fall allergy symptoms. Fall allergies are identified to be more serious in some areas of the country than others. For example, ragweed (one of the most widespread sources of allergy-inducing pollen) is more common in the country’s eastern region and in the Midwest. That said, allergies can be a considerable problem no matter where you live. Here are the 10 toughest cities for those managing seasonal allergies. 

Most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies

Getting Help From Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

As you have now seen, the ideal strategy for dust mites and fall allergies comprises of an all-out assault on the pollutants and contaminants in the air throughout your home. Your home will need a specialized approach structured for that home’s unique makeup and layout. With air quality experts all across the United States, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help in almost every corner of the country. If you want one of our indoor air quality pros to help address as many sources of allergens as possible, call or fill out a contact form right away.