Ragweed is the most common allergen between the months of September and October, which affects overs 23 million Americans. There are 17 different species of ragweed in the U.S. and are found virtually anywhere. “The reality is that there is not a corner of the country where there is no ragweed pollen,” says Christine B. Franzese, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and chief of otolaryngology at the G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery VA Medical Center, both in Jackson – WebMD
Scientists estimate that a single ragweed plant can release one billion grains of pollen over the course of a single ragweed season. And the grains are so light that they float easily even on gentle breezes. This makes it easy for ragweed to infiltrate your home where indoor air pollution is 2 to 5 times more than outside air so even relief at home is tough. So how can allergy sufferers find relief?
Optimize your HVAC System
Invest in pleated filters that have MERV ratings from 5 to 13 and have a higher surface area for greater particle filtration. You can also step it up to high-efficiency filters with higher MERV (minimum efficiency recording value) ratings that start from 1 to 20. High efficiency filters means higher particle filtration to capture Ragweed, other allergens and reduce the amount of them that enter the home. High efficiency air filters start at 14 to 17 MERV.
Regular HVAC Maintenance
It’s important to regularly change out your filters every 2-3 months to maximize efficiency because if your filters is clogged/dirty they make your HVAC system work harder and filter less. To make sure your system is running at maximum efficiency, let Ken’s AC perform a Fall Safety & Efficiency A/C & Heating Maintenance Checkup. For further details of our 18-Point System Inspection, click here.
