Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Before Allergy Season

Florida continues to see record-breaking allergy seasons in both severity and length. Allergy season in Florida is unique compared to the rest of the United States because instead of experiencing higher allergy rates in the spring and fall, allergies are present throughout the year, making it a perennial allergy state. One of the best ways to prevent being affected by allergies is to improve your indoor air quality.

Allergy Seasons

To best handle your allergies, it is essential to understand that different seasons will make different allergens more prominent, with February, March, and April being especially rough due to pollinating trees. For the most part, allergies will consist of:

• Oak and Pine: Trees generate most of their pollen from late winter to mid-summer, usually from around December until May. A secondary season occurs in October and November.


• Grasses: Grasses see their most prominent allergy season during the summer, usually at their highest from April until October.


• Weeds: Ragweed and dog fennel reach their highest pollen levels from mid-summer to early winter, generally from May to December with higher levels in the fall. Sorrel and dock are most active in the secondary season from March to July.

Depending on how intensely allergies affect you, you may need to visit a doctor for prescription medication or over-the-counter recommendations. Other steps to keep in mind are:

• Keep windows and doors closed when possible to prevent allergens from coming in.


• Do activities during low allergy hours, such as during the evening or after the rain.


• Shower and wash your hair at night to prevent allergen contamination on your sheets.


• Wipe down your pets when they come inside as their fur often traps pollen and allergens.

Common Allergy Symptoms

Allergies affect people differently considering their allergen levels and exposure, but some common symptoms of allergies include:

• Itchy, watery eyes.
• Scratchy, dry throat.
• Excessive saliva production.
• Runny nose.
• Nasal congestion.
• Chest congestion.
• Coughing and wheezing.

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

One of the most effective ways to help combat pollen and allergies is by improving your indoor air quality. At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we are dedicated to helping you find the solution that works best for you and your family.

• Duct Cleaning

  Often, we overlook our ducts without realizing that even if they are functioning correctly, they may be trapping in allergens. This means that they will continue to build up along the duct work and blow into the home, causing prolonged exposure. Contacting Art Plumbing, AC & Electric for duct cleaning will not only improve your air quality but also diagnose any possible leaks in your ducts.

• HEPA Filters

  While taking precautions like keeping windows and doors closed as often as possible will help keep many allergens out, pollen and other allergens attach to our bodies and clothes. Even in the short time we enter and exit our homes, it’s enough time for pollen to come in.

  Indoor air quality systems can help to remove the pollutants that come into your home and improve your overall air quality. One of the most popular options is to install HEPA filters that can remove up to 99.97% of particles that go through the filters. Our qualified technicians can easily install HEPA filters into the ductwork of your home.

• Air Purifiers

  Another option would be air purifiers. By pulling the air in your home through a series of fans, the purifiers trap pollutants and allergens then circulate the clean air back into your home. Purifiers are great for collecting larger allergen particles but are less beneficial when it comes to smaller particles that attach themselves to objects in your home.

Allergy seasons are not any fun, but by taking proper precautions and calling Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric, you can find the best solution to improve your indoor air quality before it starts.