How Can I Get Better Indoor Air Quality This Fall?

The autumn season in Georgia can be beautiful. The leaves on the trees change to brilliant hues of red, orange, and yellow, and temperatures start to become a bit more comfortable. This makes for enjoyable outdoor activities, such as fall hikes and road trips to state parks to take in some leaf peeping. But for some, the fall season can also spell an increase in allergy symptoms. While there isn’t much you can do to avoid allergens outside, there are some steps you can take to keep your indoor air fresh and clean.

What are some common fall allergens?

People with seasonal allergies often see an uptick in their symptoms in the spring and in the fall. That’s because two of the main allergens – pollen and mold – tend to be on the rise during these two seasons.

• Ragweed: In the autumn months, one of biggest culprits for allergy sufferers – ragweed – is in full bloom. As it pollinates, it sends billions of pollen grains into the air. Because it is so abundant and lightweight, it can easily travel on the wind, allowing it to cling to clothing and hair, and enter your home through open doors and windows. When that happens, your allergy to ragweed also becomes and indoor air quality (IAQ) problem, and if not removed from the air in your home can circulate through your HVAC system over and over again.
• Mold: Mold allergies also become more prominent in the fall months. This is because their breeding ground becomes more readily available. Mold thrives in damp, dark areas, so those leaf piles you see in your yard and all over your neighborhood are actually perfect spots for mold to grow. Add to that the warmer weather conditions we experience in the south, and you can see how mold can easily become a problem for allergy sufferers. Like pollen, outdoor mold spores can become airborne, and can stick to your shoes and clothing.

What can I do to keep mold and pollen out of my home?

If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, you probably want to do what you can to keep mold and pollen out of your home. There are a few steps you can take that can help:

• Keep windows and doors closed, especially on windier days.
• Take off shoes and outerwear before entering your home.
• Make sure leaf piles are bagged and removed from your yard before they have a chance to start growing mold.
• If you have areas of your home that tend to grow mold, a dehumidifier can help keep moisture levels down.
• Consider installing indoor air quality products in your home, like SecureAire™ air filtration.

Tell me more about SecureAire air filtration from Empire.

Empire Heating & Air Conditioning is pleased to offer SecureAire air filtration with ACTIVE™ Particle Control technology. The SecureAire filter uses an energy field that can destroy viruses, bacteria, mold, pollen, and VOCs, capturing them in a media. It offers superior reduction of airborne particulates, providing your home with excellent overall indoor air quality. The SecureAire filter also has a very low airflow resistance, placing the least possible strain on system performance.

SecureAire’s ACTIVE Particle Control technology has been proven in hospitals and LEED-certified commercial buildings to exceed passive filtration strategies. It’s reliable and easy to maintain. Simply replace the disposable filter every 12 months – healthy, clean, and safe indoor air without a lot of work. Not to mention, installing one of these systems can actually help improve HVAC system performance and lifespan, because the air circulating through the system is cleaner. Our SecureAire solutions are backed by a 5-year product warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

I’m ready to improve my IAQ – how can Empire help with the solutions I need?

That’s easy – all you need to do is give us a call, and we’ll be happy to walk you through all of our indoor air quality solutions, including the SecureAire system. We offer a complete listing of IAQ products and services to help meet any and all air quality concern you may be having in your home. Call for a free consultation at 404.294.0900, and we will be glad to assist you.