Spring and summer are the seasons for allergy tips. The term “hay fever” is a generic description for allergic reactions to airborne plant pollen. During springtime here in Western Indiana, the main offender is tree pollen. Summer allergy symptoms are usually caused by grass and/or weed pollen. Many people are also sensitive to airborne mold spores. Concentrated in enclosed indoor spaces, spores released by active mold cause a spectrum of allergic responses, from respiratory effects to general fatigue.
Your home HVAC system can be either a helpful ally in the battle against indoor allergy triggers—or actually make things worse. Here are a few allergy tips to make sure your central A/C and furnace are on your side during allergy season.
Change the Filter
A central HVAC system filters the entire volume of household air multiple times each day, a big help in reducing the load of indoor allergens. However, a dirty or ineffective air filter can contribute to the allergy problem in the house by spreading particulates. Change the filter every month during cooling season. Replace cheap fiberglass filters with quality pleated filters with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of at least 8 to effectively filter pollen and mold spore particulates.
Control Indoor Humidity
High indoor humidity triggers mold growth and activates spores. Your air conditioner helps control humidity by extracting water vapor from the air at the evaporator coil. However, with minimum daily humidity levels in Terre Haute exceeding 50 percent more than half the year, keeping indoor humidity in the healthy range is still a challenge. Consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity and prevent mold growth.
Get Preventive Maintenance
An annual spring check-up of your air conditioner by a qualified HVAC field technician ensures system reliability, cooling performance and energy efficiency. Air filtration and humidity extraction functions that help reduce allergies are also optimized by a properly-maintained system, and the complete inspection checks for presence of mold in the indoor air handler, coil and drip pan.
Paitson Bros. has more allergy tips for Terre Haute homeowners. We’ve been keeping the indoor environment healthy since 1922.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Terre Haute, Indiana about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about allergy tips and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 812-645-6859.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Serhiy Kobyakov/Shutterstock”
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922