That constant sound of sniffling, sneezing, and nose-blowing among your friends and family means that their allergies are acting up again. It's a miserable feeling to have allergies with no relief in sight. People often resort to taking medications to relieve allergy symptoms, but for better health, you will want to reduce the level of allergens in your home.

Your HVAC system can be your first line of defense against annoying allergies. Homeowners have options such as controlling humidity and installing special filters that will clean the air of many allergens.

Maintain a Rigorous Cleaning Schedule

Cleaning your whole house on a regular basis is essential for cutting down on allergens. It should go without saying that during allergy season, you should keep your windows and doors closed as much as possible, to avoid more particles getting inside the home.

You'll want to vacuum at least once a week to get rid of allergens. For an even healthier environment, consider removing carpets and rugs so you only have wooden floors, which are much easier to clean and keep free of allergens.

Help Reduce Allergies by Controlling Humidity Levels

Allergens such as mold can tend to multiply when the humidity is high. Controlling your home's humidity can definitely help you control allergen levels. You can obtain a hygrometer at your local home improvement center and then use it to test each room in your home for humidity levels.

Clean or Replace HVAC System Air Filters Every Month

The air filters that scrub all air going through your HVAC system will gradually get clogged with all the particles, dirt, debris, and dander floating around in the home. Make sure to follow the air filter manufacturer's instructions for cleaning the filters if they are reusable, or schedule a replacement of them at least once a month in your calendar. For best results, install HEPA filters with your HVAC system, noted a report from the Mayo Clinic, which also recommends that you use HEPA filters in your vacuum cleaner.

Not only will you breathe a sigh of relief at the fresher air thanks to the new clean filter, but you can also expect to see utility bills decrease. This is because an HVAC system that has to push air through a clogged filter will have to work much harder to do the same job. Overworking the equipment can lead to premature failure.

Install a Whole-Home Air Filtration System

When allergens are making a profound effect on the health of you or anyone else in your family, standard air filters may not suffice. Consult with your HVAC technician about the benefits of installing a whole-home air filtration system.

If you or any of your loved ones are suffering from allergies in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area, there's no time like now to take steps to reduce their effect. Replacing carpets with wood flooring, lowering humidity, and vacuuming or sweeping on a regular basis are good first steps. If you require a HEPA filter or need a smart thermostat to get better control over the humidity in your home, the professionals at David Gray Heating & Air are standing by to help you. For a consultation on reducing allergens in your home, please contact us today.