Indoor Allergy Relief

Indoor allergies are a continual challenge for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a very important part of controlling your allergies and ensuring a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll discover useful information 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 problems. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive measures are essential to decrease the amount of indoor allergens, improve indoor air quality and allow inhabitants to breathe easier.

Reducing Allergens Through Proper Ventilation

One of the best methods to reduce allergens is to improve ventilation. Appropriate inflow of fresh, outdoor air considerably decreases the quantity of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing steps to try:

• Open windows and doors when the weather allows.
• Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking to release heat, humidity and fumes.
• Install a whole-home ventilation system to evenly exchange stuffy indoor air with fresh outdoor air across the entire house.

Air Filtration and Purification Systems

Air filters and purifiers come in numerous different styles. Some are designed to clean the air in one room, while others integrate with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the house. They also clear away allergens using a variety of tactics:

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

Regular Cleaning

Keeping your home clean is a crucial step in decreasing indoor allergens. Here are some suggested recommendations:

• Vacuum your home at least every week using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter to remove dust mites and other allergens from carpets and upholstery.
• Choose hypoallergenic bedding, such as organic cotton, bamboo or silk, which is naturally allergen-resistant.
• Wash your bedding once a week in hot water to kill dust mites and do away with other lingering allergens.
• Use allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to prevent dust mites from accumulating.
• Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other surfaces on a regular basis.
• Keep pets out of your bedroom to reduce dander buildup in the room where you sleep.
• Control clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and offer hiding places for allergens.

Controlling Humidity Levels

Maintaining the recommended humidity level is imperative for managing indoor allergens. High humidity encourages mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity leads to dry skin and irritated airways. Aim to maintain an indoor relative humidity level between 30-50 percent. The quickest way to do this is to use 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 discharging oxygen. However, some plants produce irritating pollen, and watering them too often may encourage mold growth, adding to indoor allergies. When shopping for potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly species like spider plants, snake plants and bamboo palms, which help raise indoor air quality and are unlikely to cause allergic reactions.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North America

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