Have you suffered from runny noses, coughing or even itchy eyes? The changing seasons can often leave you with uncomfortable side effects. Luckily, you’re not alone! Indoor air contaminants can change along with the seasons, making it difficult to do everything you enjoy, inside and outside. Here at Norman Air, we are here to help with those infamous Oklahoma allergens!
The three most common air pollutants in Norman Oklahoma are tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen. These change seasonally and can have a massive effect on the contaminants present in your home. They don’t only stay outside, unfortunately. Looking at the different filters available for your HVAC unit can help increase your indoor air quality and even prevent seasonal allergies!
What Causes Poor IAQ?
There are a lot of factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality. These include:
- Pollutants and allergens from outside sources
- Volatile organic compounds from products
- Poor ventilation
- Poor maintenance
There are plenty of different ways to raise your indoor air quality. Consult your local HVAC technician to assess the quality of your indoor air, and get the most out of every breath. If you think that the level of contaminant is high, contact Norman Air to schedule your IAQ services.
Norman Seasonal Allergens: What To Look Out For
Part of reducing the impacts of these allergens on indoor air quality is reducing their presence in your home. If you’re noticing that allergens are taking over your home life, purchasing a filter that is meant to keep out household pollutants is a great choice. If you’re wondering what allergens to look out for, pay attention to the season.
Frequent Fall Allergens
There are three major fall allergens in Norman: ragweed, mold spores and grass pollen.
Ragweed is a common allergen and produces a lot of pollen that spreads through the air. This means that it enters homes and businesses at the same rate, irritating the eyes and nose. It can also cause allergic reactions to those that are especially sensitive to the pollen.
Mold spores are also more common in the fall, and have a massively negative impact on indoor air quality. This fungus can grow in damp or humid areas, such as bathrooms, basements and attics. When mold spores grow an extreme amount in a small amount of time, it can result in difficulty breathing, runny nose and itchy eyes.
Grass pollen is an allergen that is present year-round, but grows most often in the fall. It is produced by different types of grasses and easily floats through the air. While grass pollen is always present, high amounts lead to the same symptoms as other allergens. These include sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes and difficulty breathing.
Common Spring Allergens
Generally erupting from foliage nearby, pollen that spreads easily from new plants can cause allergic reactions and irritation to many. The most common spring allergens in Norman are tree pollen, weed pollen and grass pollen.
Tree pollen is pollen generated from oak, cedar and elm trees. While there are levels of tree pollen around us at all times, extremely high levels can result in allergy symptoms that we know too well. These include regular allergy symptoms, but have the added symptom of triggering asthma attacks to those afflicted.
Weed pollen is another common allergen that is present in the air during the spring and summer seasons. It is produced by the different types of weeds that will grow in the beginning of the spring season, such as pigweed and lambsquarters. When this pollen is present in abnormally high amounts, it can trigger allergies.
The grass pollen that is present in the spring will come from a different source than the fall, but the general rules still apply. When the level of pollen from these new grasses rise, it worsens symptoms of allergies.
Call Today To Get The Most Out Of Your HVAC System!
Indoor air quality and allergens have a significant impact on our health and well-being. By understanding the causes of poor air quality, you can take steps to improve the air you breathe in your home and workplace. Here at Norman Air, we have all the tools you need for the best HVAC you’ve ever had. Ranging from indoor air quality checks to filters, we have everything you need to start breathing better before allergy season. Call today to get the most out of every breath!
