The spring season brings warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and blossoming plant life. While it can feel like a breath of fresh air, the warm breezes and blooming flowers can also usher in an unwelcome household guest known as pollen. As the powdery substance that plants produce for reproduction, airborne pollen spreads quickly due to its structure and design. These tiny particles can trigger nasal allergies, and they can also wreak havoc on home ventilation.
Ventilation refers to the successful exchange of indoor and outdoor air, and homes without proper ventilation can seal in harmful pollutants or excess moisture that can damage the house. Pollen particles are among the worst culprits that can compromise the quality of home ventilation during spring. A comprehensive look at the best ways to handle high pollen counts can help you reduce the most negative effects and maintain a great quality of life indoors.
How Does Pollen Enter Your Home?
Pollen is a fine powder that plants release as part of their reproductive cycle. Once released, environmental carriers like wind, insects, or animals help transfer the pollen to other plants for fertilization.
Spring is the prime season in which plants reproduce. During this season, pollen can travel quickly depending on the plant species, weather patterns, and heightened fertility throughout the day. For example, trees like oak, birch, and maple all release high pollen counts in early spring. This produces tree-related allergens that can enter residential homes through open doors or windows.
In later spring, grass species like ragweed, bluegrass, or ryegrass all release pollen. This pollen can act as the allergen responsible for the condition known as allergic rhinitis (hay fever). People often track grass pollen into homes because it clings easily to shoes, clothing, or hair. Pets can also spread pollen via their paws or fur.
In addition to trees and grass, most flowering plants or shrubs release pollen throughout all of spring. Warm temperatures and wind patterns create the perfect conditions for dispersing flower pollen across distances where it can seep through any cracks or gaps in your home and then recirculate via ventilation ducts. The time of day can also increase pollen exposure since plants are usually most fertile in the early morning and late afternoon. Understanding these factors can help you plan during the peak season to the volume of pollen that may compromise your ventilation.
How Does Pollen Affect Your Home’s Ventilation?
There are several ways pollen can affect ventilation and disrupt proper airflow. Problems arising from pollen include clogged filters, decreased indoor air quality, uncomfortable humidity levels, and increased risk of system wear and tear.
Clogged Filters
Your system uses filters to trap dust, debris, and unwanted contaminants. During high pollen seasons, these filters can become clogged and obstructed faster than usual. Once enough pollen has blocked the filter, it becomes harder for your system to circulate air. This impairs overall efficiency and can potentially increase power consumption and cause a spike in energy bills.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
A high concentration of pollen can also reduce indoor air quality. Once pollen overtakes your air filters and they stop working effectively, the airborne particles can continuously recirculate throughout the home. This can exacerbate respiratory problems and trigger allergies. According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, over 100 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. Whether you have a known pollen sensitivity or simply want to stay on the safe side, preparing for the peak season is an important way to ensure you remain comfortable.
Increased Humidity
Some homeowners seal their homes tightly in an attempt to prevent the entry of any pollen. But since ventilation relies on the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, this can cause conditions within your home to feel muggy and stagnant. Because ventilation also plays a role in moisture control, poor ventilation can result in higher humidity levels. Indoor humidity that exceeds the recommended range of 40%-60% can also increase the risk of problems like mold growth.
Risk of Wear and Tear
Pollen can raise the risk of wear and tear to your overall heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) system. For example, pollen buildup evaporator coils impairs the movement of refrigerant responsible for transferring heat of the home. Likewise, buildup on condenser coils can hamper the process of releasing the heat outside. Pollen that accumulates in the ductwork can prevent clean ventilation and instead cause the dried organic material to disperse to various registers or vents.
What Strategies Reduce the Amount of Pollen in Your Home?
Several methods can reduce indoor pollen and improve ventilation. These include changing or upgrading the air filter, closing entryways during peak periods, installing an air purifier, monitoring forecasts, and scheduling professional maintenance.
Change or Upgrade Air Filters
The standard recommendation is to replace your air filter once every 90 days. During pollen season, however, you may need to change the filter more often than usual. Consider switching out the filter every 30 or 60 days. Speak with your HVAC technician to confirm that your filter has an adequate minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating to catch fine particles like pollen. In addition, you may wish to upgrade to a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, HEPA filters help remove at least 99.97% of small airborne particles like pollen.
Keep Windows and Doors Closed
While it may feel tempting to leave your doors and windows open, try keeping them closed during peak periods of the day. Pollen counts are typically highest in the early morning as well as late afternoon. If you need more air circulation, ask a technician about installing a mechanical ventilation system or ceiling fan to promote healthy air movement indoors.
Install an Air Purifier
Air purifiers can help reduce the concentration of pollen with the rooms of your home. Some models include HEPA filters or speed-adjustment settings specifically designed to capture plant pollen. Ask your technician about the best way to get a device with a high clean air delivery rate to ensure a comfortable home.
Establish a No-Shoe Policy
Since shoes and clothes can transfer clothing, consider establishing a no-shoe policy indoors. Set up a shoe storage area near entryways and encourage family members to switch to slippers or house shoes when staying inside. Similarly, consider changing clothes in the washroom after completing any vigorous activity outside.
Clean and Vacuum Regularly
Pollen is notorious for settling on furniture, carpets, and bedding. Plan a cleaning schedule to remove pollen from surface areas of your home. Wipe solid surfaces with a damp wash cloth to avoid stirring more pollen in the area. In addition to tables and furniture, you may also wish to wipe windowsills, ceiling fan blades, and return vents. Wash bedding and curtains, and consider investing in a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter.
Monitor Daily Pollen Counts or Forecasts
Many weather forecasts now include data about pollen count and air quality. Try to monitor this information to keep windows closed or limit outdoor activity on high-pollen days. There are also smartphone apps that can notify you when pollen or allergens alter air quality.
Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance
Scheduling regular HVAC maintenance is an excellent line of defense against high-pollen conditions. A maintenance session allows a technician to examine ventilation equipment, troubleshoot any problems, and conduct routine cleaning or servicing. This can help prevent the excessive accumulation of old pollen before it is too late.
Contact Us Today
Premier Heating and Air provides services for homes in Denver and surrounding areas. Our technicians can examine every component of your ventilation system and devise a comprehensive plan for your home. We also work to improve your indoor air quality with humidifiers and can optimize air conditioners and heating systems. Contact Premier Heating and Air today!
