Hay fever sufferers often dread spring and summer seasons due to the increased pollen count - which can summon an onset of nasty symptoms such as sneezing, blocked noses, itchy eyes and throat, coughs and headaches.
When you’re outside, it can feel like there’s nowhere to escape pollen so going indoors, with the windows shut can offer welcome relief from symptoms.
However, without ventilation, homes and offices can become hot, stuffy and uncomfortable, with colds and viruses spreading very easily - but there is a solution!
Hay fever is a seasonal allergy - often flaring up during the months from May through until September - and is caused by an immune system response to the inhalation of pollen, which is released by plants.
There are typically two main peaks in the months of June and July, the warmest and sunniest months of the year, when grasses and other plants are most likely to release their pollen into the air.
Individuals can either be allergic to a specific type of pollen or may suffer a general immune reaction to all types (making it much harder to avoid).
The biggest, most common cause of hay fever is grass pollen - simply due to the amount of grass that can be found when you’re out and about. Large fields of grass will release their pollen at a similar time, which elevates the pollen count within the air.
It’s significantly worse on hot and breezy days too - as the wind will carry the pollen into your face, where it is either inhaled or comes in contact with your eyes.
Being airborne, pollen can easily be carried through open windows, as well as sticking to clothing, hair and animals.
You’ll be happy to hear however, that there ARE actually ways that you can help to ventilate your home, whilst keeping your hay fever under control and your house nice and fresh!
The key to keeping your symptoms at bay is to reduce the amount of pollen that’s in your home at once. To do this, you’ll need to keep your windows and doors shut wherever you can - as this is one of the most common ways that pollen is brought into the house.
Whilst you’ll struggle to prevent pollen from entering the home via the usual traffic in and out of your house, a Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit will allow this dirty air to be constantly circulated out of the home - with new, filtered air coming in.
The best solution, therefore, is to invest in a ventilation system which will do the hard work on your behalf.
A mechanical ventilation heat-recovery system is the most effective solution to your indoor hay fever woes. These energy-efficient systems will draw fresh air into the home through HEPA filters that remove pollen whilst dispersing clean air indoors.
These systems often have two vents; one bringing filtered air in from outside, the other extracting it, creating a gentle flow of air through the home. As air is extracted, pollen, dust and other airborne particles are whisked away, preventing them from building up and keeping the air fresher, and more pure.
The system will also reduce the ingress of air through gaps around windows and doors by creating a higher air pressure in the building than outside, meaning that most of the air that enters the home will have been filtered by the ventilation system.
If your ventilation system is efficient, then the levels of pollen within your home should not be able to build up to a point where it’ll trigger those pesky allergies - meaning that you’ll remain symptom-free in a cleaner, fresher, more comfortable home.
Contact us today to find out which ventilation system is right for you!
