Georgia is home to many types of trees, plants, and vegetation that contribute to our beautiful and iconic scenery. In fact, Georgia has 66% forest coverage and is ranked 7th on the list of states with the most forest. Ask any Georgia resident and they’ll agree that Georgia is one of the most beautiful states in the country.
People spend a significant amount of their time indoors, making indoor air quality especially important.
But unfortunately, all those trees come at a price. Many people suffer from allergy symptoms due to the abundance of tree pollen. With the arrival of spring, you and your family members may be suffering from allergy symptoms.
Although there’s not much you can do to avoid sneezing and water eyes when you go outside, there are steps you can take in your home to combat their effects. Keep reading to discover how our air purifier services in Winder, GA can help you combat allergies not just in spring, but all year long.
Many factors contribute to indoor air quality inside the home, not just outdoor pollen.
Human activities such as cooking and cleaning can also affect indoor air quality and allergy symptoms.
Common Allergens in Georgia’s Spring Air
In Georgia, allergy season usually begins as early as February as tree pollen levels sharply increase. Here are some of the most common allergens in Georgia based on the season. As you can see, there’s really no escaping allergy symptoms throughout the year.
- Spring: Major triggers for allergies are from tree pollen from species such as oak, hickory, walnut, maple, ash, pine, and cedar.
- Summer: Summer allergy season starts as early as May and peaks in June. Grasses such as Bermuda grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Timothy grass, and Rye Grass release their pollen. Also, the heat and humidity allow mold spores to flourish.
- Fall: Fall brings little relief to allergy sufferers. Here are fall’s common allergens: Ragweed, Cocklebur, Burning bush, Lamb’s quarter, Pigweed, Mugwort, Russian thistle, Tumbleweed, Sagebrush
- Winter: Winter allergies are usually due to indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores. These indoor allergens can affect indoor air quality and lead to health issues.
Exposure to these seasonal allergens is associated with health risks, including respiratory problems and other health effects.
How Airborne Allergens Enter Your Georgia Home
Here’s how they make their way into your home in the first place.
- Open doors and windows: Letting in fresh spring air after being cooped up all winter allows allergens to drift inside.
- HVAC system: Allergens can infiltrate your HVAC system via air intake vents, open doors and windows, and holes and leaks in ductwork. Air flow within the home can carry these allergens to different rooms, so managing air flow is important for controlling indoor air quality.
- Pets and people: As pets and family members go outside and return home, they bring allergens back to your home.
Most buildings experience similar challenges with allergen entry and air quality.
Air Quality Testing and Monitoring: Know What You’re Breathing
When it comes to protecting your family’s health, knowing what’s in your indoor air is just as important as keeping your home clean. Many Georgia residents are surprised to learn that poor indoor air quality can be a hidden culprit behind allergy symptoms, respiratory issues, and even more serious health problems like heart disease and lung cancer. That’s why air quality testing and monitoring are essential steps in creating a healthier indoor environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both stress the importance of regular air quality testing to identify indoor air pollutants that can affect your well-being. Indoor air pollution can come from a variety of sources—secondhand smoke, heating systems, household chemicals, and even outdoor air pollution that sneaks in through open windows or ventilation systems. In fact, outdoor air pollutants can easily make their way inside, especially during allergy season when pollen counts are high.
Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters are a great way to remove harmful particles and fine particulate matter from your indoor spaces, but it’s just as important to identify and address the root causes of indoor air pollution. Proper ventilation is key to bringing in fresh air and preventing the buildup of indoor pollutants, but it’s a balancing act—too much outside air can introduce new pollutants, while inadequate ventilation can trap harmful chemicals and particles inside.
Damp indoor environments are another major concern, as they can lead to mold growth and increase the risk of health hazards. Mold assessment and removal, along with regular duct cleaning, are crucial for maintaining clean air and preventing mold exposure. Plumbing leaks and high humidity can create the perfect conditions for mold, so it’s important to address these issues promptly.
Professional air quality testing can detect a wide range of indoor air pollutants, including asbestos-containing materials, fine particulate matter, and even thirdhand smoke—the residue left behind by tobacco products. These tests can also uncover hidden problems like plumbing leaks that contribute to poor air quality. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recommends regular air quality testing to safeguard human health, especially in sensitive environments like medical facilities and nursing homes, where excellent air quality is a top priority.
Long-term exposure to poor indoor air quality can have serious consequences, from aggravating allergies to increasing the risk of chronic health conditions. That’s why it’s so important to take proactive steps to improve indoor air quality—whether that means investing in air purification, scheduling duct cleaning, or simply ensuring your home has proper ventilation.
Don’t wait until allergy symptoms or health concerns arise. Take control of your indoor environment by scheduling a free consultation with a trusted air quality service provider. With professional air quality testing and tailored solutions, you can breathe easier knowing your home is a safe, healthy space for you and your loved ones.
Proven Methods to Reduce Allergens Indoors
Many allergy sufferers try to make do with portable air filters but these have their limitations as they can only clean a small amount of square footage per unit. The best option is to consult with indoor air quality (IAQ) specialists like the ones on our team.
We can install a whole house air purification system that’ll clean ALL the air that circulates throughout your entire home. For example, the AprilAire whole-home air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters are especially effective at capturing and removing airborne allergens such as mold spores, dust, pollen, and viruses. House plants can also help reduce certain indoor pollutants, but they should be chosen carefully to avoid mold growth or triggering allergies. Removing mold is an important step in reducing health risks associated with poor indoor air quality.
Don’t suffer through our extended allergy season any longer. Contact us today to learn about IAQ solutions.
During the summer months, maintaining good indoor air quality becomes especially important as homes are often closed up to keep cool air inside. Increased human activities such as cooking and cleaning during summer can contribute to indoor air pollution by releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants into the air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the main focus of the article “Get Ahead of Georgia’s Allergy Season”?
Answer: The article explains how indoor allergens such as pollen, dust, mold spores, and pet dander can enter homes through HVAC intake vents, open doors or windows, and leaky ducts. It recommends taking steps to improve indoor air quality to reduce allergy triggers.
Question: Why might portable air filters not be enough to protect against allergies?
Answer: Portable air filters can clean only a limited area, usually a single room, so they may not address allergens circulating throughout the whole home. The article suggests a whole home air purification system for full house protection.
Question: What kind of air purification solution does the article recommend for allergy relief?
Answer: The article recommends installing a whole house air purification system, for example a system like those from AprilAire, to capture and remove common indoor allergens such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and even viruses throughout your entire home’s air circulation.
Question: What should homeowners do if they want to get ahead of allergy season according to the article?
Answer: Homeowners should consider consulting indoor air quality specialists to assess their home’s ventilation and HVAC system, and install a whole home air purification system to significantly reduce allergens.
Contact the team at American Comfort Heating and Cooling for indoor air quality services in Winder, GA. Bringing Comfort to America, One Home at a Time.
