I was relieved when I moved out of the northwest and away from the frigid subarctic conditions throughout the whole year. I landed in a climate that is perfect for my tastes—the coldest temperatures we get year round are the low 40s or high 30s, the summers are mild, and we get pleasant 70 degree weather on and off through all four seasons. It feels wonderful having a wardrobe full of comfy t-shirts and shorts to wear with matching sandals on any given day. I also feel like I save a lot on air conditioning being able to leave my windows open all the time, especially in the evenings. I just love the feel of that cool breeze as it gently ripples my curtains, caressing and molding rays of sunlight breaking through. But after I started developing recent problems with sinus and respiratory allergies, I’m not so sure if leaving the windows open so much is a good idea after all. It’s springtime and pollen levels are at an all time high. I distinctly remember seeing the green powder coating my car and the walkway leading from my front door. I guess I didn’t realize that the same green pollen dust was getting into my windows and circulating through my air conditioner and ductwork, throwing the pollen into every room of my house. I’m going to be careful about when I open my windows and for how long. Even with the seasonal allergies accounted for, some HVAC specialists have told me it contributes to higher dust and dirt levels in the house, immediately affecting how quickly your air conditioner filters get dirty.