Managing Pet Allergies

If you’re a homeowner who lives with dogs or cats, you may have dealt with pet allergies. If the presence of your precious pet is causing you pain, you’re not alone. Up to 15% of the general population and 30% of the allergic population have reactions to cats and dogs with more people showing allergies to felines than canines. Dander and irritants from animals can end up in carpets and upholstery and make a negative impact on the indoor air quality in your home. If you find that pet allergies are a problem in your home, here are a few suggestions to help you out. Secure an area of your house for your pet and try to restrict it to this area most of the time. You may have better luck arranging this if you have a dog; cats are free-roaming and won’t put up with being confined to one room. Regularly clean drapes and furniture, including covers and comforters, from your bedroom on a regular basis to keep allergens out of your bedroom. Household items such as carpeting, upholstered furniture, drapes, and even stuffed animals can be a reservoir for all sorts of nasty pet allergens. Vacuuming carpets and rugs regularly as well as having your carpets steam-cleaned a few times a year can also help eliminate a large amount of the out dirt, dust, and contaminants that can build up in your frequently used walkways. When the weather allows, promote fresh airflow by opening windows. Replacing your HVAC air filter regularly can also maintain healthy indoor air quality, not to mention the benefits it provides for your air conditioning system. As you may know, replacing your air filters is a key to keeping your air conditioning unit healthy and running smoothly, which will lead to lower energy consumption and lower electric bills. Making sure the ventilation in your home is working properly is a great way to make sure you are saving money in the short and long term while also keeping pet allergens out of your home. Your friends at Spencer Air Conditioning and Heating are here and ready to answer your questions and make your indoor air quality as healthy and clean as possible. Give us a call today at (972) 446- COOL (2665) or find out more at spencerairconditioning.com.