As if it isn’t bad enough that you cough, sneeze, and wheeze your way through spring thanks to outdoor seasonal allergies, now you’ve discovered that the interior air in your home could be to blame for ongoing allergy symptoms. And there are all kinds of culprits that could have you rubbing your itchy, watery eyes, gasping for breath, and reaching for tissues day and night to stop up a nose that leaks like a faucet. However, when you know what could be causing your indoor allergens, you’ll find that there are a slew of simple solutions that will help keep them to a minimum or even eliminate them entirely. As you probably aren’t keen to hermetically seal your home and install a decontaminant chamber for everyone that walks in the door, here are some tips for controlling indoor allergens and creating the comfortable safe haven you crave.

Image via: JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

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1. Eliminate sources.

If you’ve had a scratch test done then you know exactly which items are triggering your indoor allergies. But even if you haven’t been tested you can probably take a guess. The most common indoor allergens include cigarette smoke, pet dander, and dust. The first is easy enough to undo; just take your habit outdoors. As for pet dander, chances are good you’re not going to get rid of your furry friend, but you can certainly engage the services of a groomer more frequently and use shampoos and conditioners meant to cut down on dander. And all three of these allergens, but the last one especially, will require you to deep clean your home in order to remove as much of the offending allergen as possible.

2. Use green cleaners.

Did you know that the fumes from toxic chemical solvents that most people use to clean their homes are responsible for a number of respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergy symptoms? By switching to greener options you may be able to significantly reduce your respiratory distress, all while cleaning out other allergens such as dust and dander.

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3. Perform an energy audit.

Even well-built homes will settle over time, potentially suffering gaps that lead to leaks. Although an energy audit is ostensibly meant to determine where your bought air is getting out, you should also know that these areas are letting outside air in, potentially bringing outdoor allergens like pollen and mold into your home. By adding proper weather stripping or other sealants you could not only reduce your energy bill, but also your allergy symptoms.

Image via: Bates Masi Architects LLC

4. Use air purifiers.

These handy, portable devices are a great part of your overall plan to reduce interior allergens because they are designed to suck allergens out of the air. With a wide range of models and prices to choose from, you can install small units in every room or spring for a pricier product for the area of the home you use most.

5. Install HEPA filters.

Unless you happen to enjoy geothermal air conditioning, chances are good that you’re using a standard HVAC system, which means your heating and cooling systems are probably spewing allergens throughout your home. If this is the case, you can combat the condition by installing HEPA filters that are designed to catch and trap allergens as they go through the system.a

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When it comes to maintaining the temperature in your home most home owners spend over 40% of their household bills on either cooling or heating the various rooms in the house. There are a number of options available to home owners to successfully manage these costs more effectively. We’ve put together some handy tips to help you keep your home at the perfect temperature all year round.

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Keep your thermostat at a fixed temperature

One of the most effective ways to set the climate control for your home is to install several thermostats throughout the house. This allows you to regulate the temperate in different rooms. However to stop your household bills rocketing make sure you monitor the top temperature carefully. Some kits give you the option to fix the temperature which prevents children from tampering with the dials and running up enormous bills without your knowledge.

Ventilation fans

Keeping your kitchen and bathroom cool is a must to prevent damp and other unpleasant fungus growing. So installing a ventilation fan which can be switched on when cooking or bathing will help to improve aeration in these rooms. It’s important to use these sparingly and only turn them on for short periods of time or they will use up a lot of energy.

Cool down in the summer

When it comes to the summer it can be very difficult to sleep when it becomes sticky and humid. An air conditioning unit can be a portable solution to keep you cool for a few weeks. If you are unsure whether this is the right solution you may want to consider air conditioning hire and test out the unit before you buy one. Many families simply hire then during the height of summer and return them as the temperatures drop. Air conditioning hire offers a choice of models to suit the room so from your bedroom to home office you can pick something to suit your needs.

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Clean your radiators and keep the air flow clear

It may sound obvious but before you start complaining about the temperature in your home check that the radiators have free air flow. To enable these to work effectively the air must be able to circulate. So give the radiators a good dust, remove any blockages or curtains which may be preventing them from working efficiently. You can then turn down the temperature and allow them to work properly.

Close your doors

Another way to maintain the climate control in your home more effectively is to close doors of rooms you are not using. Keeping the doors shut will keep the heat in and also stop cold or warm air escaping to unused rooms in the house.

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Last week I was getting my air conditioner fixed for the warm weather, and this week we are pulling out jackets and long sleeved shirts for the cooler weather, here in Jacksonville, Florida. For many of you the cooler Autumn months have already creeped in, and that means winter won’t be far behind. Today’s Guest Blogger gives tips for getting a jump start on winter maintenance for your home.

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Winter has a way of sneaking up on many homeowners. There’s nothing worse than being unprepared for cold winter weather when it finally hits. Be ready this year with these home winter preparation tips. You will be ready when Jack Frost comes blowing your home’s direction.

 Is Your Furnace Ready to Keep you Warm?

There is nothing worse than turning on your home’s furnace on the first really cold night in fall and having nothing happen.

1. If it’s been awhile since your home’s heating system has been checked, do it before the cold weather hits. HVAC professionals get booked at that time and you don’t want to be shivering.
2. Make sure the area around your furnace is free of debris and contains no flammable materials.
3. Go to the store and get stocked up on furnace filters and be ready to change them monthly. It keeps your furnace running more efficiently and assures you’re breathing cleaner air.
4. If you haven’t already done it, get a programmable thermostat installed.
5. If you use hot-water radiators to heat your home, bleed the valves.

 No More Energy Leaks!

Is your house drafty? You can save up to 30 percent on heating and cooling costs in your home by being sure your energy leaks are plugged, (US Energy Department).

1. Use caulk around cracks and joint areas like windows, door frames, plumbing pipes/fixtures, and even ceilings. You can also install weather stripping around windows and doors. Caulk is great around areas where you need a flexible seal.
2. Other important areas to check for leaks are around electrical outlets, pipes, and vents that go outdoors.  Check more removed places like closets for drafty locations. You might be surprised where you find drafty spots.
3. A big part of your home that can have undiagnosed air leaks are the air ducts. You may want to have an HVAC professional check your ducts and if needed seal and insulate them. It can save you lots of money and wasted energy.

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 Insulate or Hibernate

Since we don’t hibernate like the bears, it’s never a bad idea to consider putting more insulation in the walls and attack.

Insulation will help your home stay cooler in hot summer temperatures and warmer in the cold winter months. Insulation comes in lots of forms fiberglass to cellulose, rigid foam board , and even spray foam. The best location to add insulation is in your attic, and experts recommend about 12 to 15 inches for the most efficiency.

Get Your Roof Ready

Is your roof ready for 12 inches of wet, cold snow? Are you gutters clear and ready to get unwanted water away from your house? It’s time to check your roof, gutters, and downspouts to be sure they are in good condition and ready to take on Jack Frost.

1. Check roofing to be sure it’s in good repair. Loose shingles should be removed and replaced.
2. Check your gutters and be sure they are clean of any debris.
3. Get out your hose and spray out downspouts to be sure they are ready for water.
4. If you have lots of trouble with falling leaves getting into gutters, consider getting some leaf guards to cover your gutters and keep them free of plant debris.
5. Make sure your flashing is also in good shape. You don’t want water getting into the wrong places.

This post was written by Derek Dasher from YourLocalSecurity.com, your source for ADT home security systems.

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