Indoor Allergy Relief

Indoor allergies are a continual problem for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a very important part of managing your allergies and ensuring a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll find useful strategies on how to improve IAQ for indoor allergy relief.

Understanding Indoor Allergies

Household allergens include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacteria and viruses, as well as pollen that makes its way inside the house. These allergens generate allergic reactions. When allergens are present in the air, they can result in symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and more severe issues like asthma attacks and other breathing difficulties. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive steps are needed to decrease the level of indoor allergens, improve indoor air quality and allow inhabitants to breathe easier.

Reducing Allergens Through Proper Ventilation

One of the most effective strategies to reduce allergens is to increase ventilation. Appropriate inflow of fresh, outdoor air substantially decreases the amount of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing steps to try:

• Open windows and doors when the weather allows.
• Run exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking to remove heat, humidity and fumes.
• Buy a whole-home ventilation system to evenly exchange stuffy indoor air with healthy outdoor air through the entire house.

Air Filtration and Purification Systems

Air filters and purifiers are available in a number of different styles. Some are designed to clean the air in a single room, while others work with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the entire home. They also remove allergens using several different methods:

• Filtration systems—like media filters, electrostatic filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters—capture airborne particles in tightly woven material, stopping them from swirling through the house.
• Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, making them unable to replicate and reducing the spread of germs throughout your home.
• Air purifiers that use activated carbon filters eliminate odors and chemicals from the air, helping produce a clean, fresh-smelling house.
• Electronic air cleaners contain negative ion generators that adhere to positively charged airborne particles. The particles then cling to charged metal plates or become too heavy to continue to be airborne. Those that descend onto household surfaces can be cleaned up by dusting and vacuuming.

Regular Cleaning

Keeping your home clean is an essential step in lowering household allergens. Here are some recommended recommendations:

• Vacuum your home at least once per week using a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter to remove dust mites and other irritants from carpets and upholstery.
• Choose hypoallergenic bedding, such as organic cotton, bamboo or silk, which is naturally allergen-resistant.
• Wash your bedding every seven days in hot water to kill dust mites and do away with other lingering allergens.
• Utilize allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to deter dust mites from accumulating.
• Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other hard surfaces frequently.
• Keep pets out of your bedroom to decrease dander buildup in the place where you sleep.
• Control clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and create hiding places for allergens.

Controlling Humidity Levels

Maintaining the appropriate humidity level is vital for controlling indoor allergens. High humidity fosters mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity results in dry skin and irritated airways. Aim to maintain an indoor relative humidity level from 30-50 percent. The simplest way to do this is to run a whole-house humidifier in the dry winter and a whole-house dehumidifier throughout the humid summer.

Indoor Plants and Allergies

Indoor plants can increase IAQ by filtering out toxins and delivering oxygen. However, some plants produce irritating pollen, and overwatering them may encourage mold growth, contributing to indoor allergies. When choosing potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly types like spider plants, snake plants and bamboo palms, which help improve indoor air quality and are unlikely to cause allergic reactions.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North America

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is committed to helping our customers enjoy a healthy and comfortable home environment. With our technical know-how in indoor air quality solutions and your satisfaction guaranteed, we are the ideal partner to fulfill all your IAQ desires. Contact a Service Experts office near you today to learn more about how our services can help you attain indoor allergy relief.