Blog Post

Beat Allergy Season with These 5 Tips

Kimberly Graham • March 24, 2020

In these uncertain times with Covid-19 spreading, it's tempting--and easy, to self diagnose symptoms. It's important not to forget that it's allergy season as well.

Woman with allergies poor ventilation and HVAC

People are working from home, kids are studying at home, and daily life as we know it is changing. Many people are turning Google for answers at the slightest symptoms, but lets not forget that its also ALLERGY SEASON. And allergy season can wreak havoc with a person producing many of the same symptoms as the flu. Below are four ways you can help your house be haven

Clean your HVAC Ducts

If you open your ducts and take a look, you will probably find a nice blanket of dust coating the surface. And that’s because any debris that’s not filtered by your HVAC system will find shelter and stay in your ducts. When your home’s HVAC system runs, it pulls air through the registers and moves it into the furnace or air conditioner for heating or cooling. From there, the air moves through the system’s ducts and re-circulates through the rooms to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. It's a constantly recycling of allergens. Your home won’t be a sanctuary from outdoor allergens, but it will be housing them instead. A-1 American Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning replaces and repairs duct work. Give us a call, and we can help you determine whether to replace, repair, or re-design your duct work.

UV Lights in Your HVAC Unit

This is a new trend, however it is fast becoming popular. For over 100 years we have known that UV light kills bacteria, mold, and viruses, and now UV light is being used for germicide in hospitals, restaurants, grocery stores, and homes. There are two types of UV light options.

  1. Coil Sanitizing lights
  2. Air Sanitizing lights
Whichever one you choose, adding UV lights to your HVAC system will help ensure your home is allergy protected.

Clean Regularly


We know this is a no brainer, but we feel that it should be included. The only way to avoid dust, mold, dander, or other allergens from taking over your home is by cleaning regularly. Vacuum at least once a week and make sure to get the areas where your pets frequent, if you have any furry friends residing at home. Spring and summer animals are shedding more. Prevent mold growth by regularly cleaning any areas where there is a lot of water. Be on the lookout for black mold which is especially nasty.

Purchase a Dehumidifier

What kind of environment does bacteria thrive in? Areas with high humidity in your house, that's where! People who are allergic to mold or dust mites should consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home. Dehumidifiers trap any excess moisture found indoors, making your home less hospitable for allergens and bacteria. Not to mention, crisp air is simply easier to breathe than moist air.

Update Your Air Conditioner

Your air conditioner can help you breathe a little easier in your home too. In addition to reducing humidity levels, your AC unit can also trap outdoor allergens, bacteria, and viruses from entering your home — but only if you have clean, high-quality filters installed. At A-1, we recommend looking into certified asthma and allergy filters to purchase. If you’re not sure what filters work with your unit or how to install them, give us a call at A1 Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning

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