Indoor allergies are a typical problem for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a very important part of reducing symptoms of your allergies and ensuring a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll discover valuable insight on how to improve IAQ for indoor allergy relief.
Understanding Indoor Allergies
Inside 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 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 most reliable techniques to reduce allergens is to improve ventilation. Proper inflow of fresh, outdoor air considerably decreases the number of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing tricks to try:
- Open windows and doors when the weather makes it possible.
- Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking to clear away heat, humidity and fumes.
- Install a whole-home ventilation system to evenly exchange stuffy indoor air with clean outdoor air across the entire house.
Air Filtration and Purification Systems
Air filters and purifiers come in many different styles. Some are designed to clean the air in a single room, while others operate in conjunction with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the entire house. They also clear away allergens using a variety of techniques:
- Filtration systems—such as media filters, electrostatic filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters—capture airborne particles in tightly woven material, blocking them from circulating throughout the house.
- Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, making them unable to duplicate and reducing the circulation of germs throughout your home.
- Air purifiers outfitted with activated carbon filters remove odors and chemicals from the air, contributing to a clean, fresh-smelling household.
- Electronic air cleaners contain negative ion generators that adhere to positively charged airborne particles. The particles then cling to charged metal plates or are too heavy to stay airborne. Those that descend onto household surfaces can be removed by dusting and vacuuming.
Regular Cleaning
Keeping your home clean is an essential step in decreasing home allergens. Here are some recommended tips:
- Vacuum your home at least once per week utilizing a vacuum cleaner 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 clean out other lingering allergens.
- Utilize allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to deter dust mites from accumulating.
- Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other surfaces frequently.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom to reduce dander buildup in the place where you sleep.
- Reduce clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and offer hiding places for allergens.
Controlling Humidity Levels
Maintaining the appropriate humidity level is imperative for managing indoor allergens. High humidity supports mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity results in dry skin and unhealthy airways. Shoot for an indoor relative humidity level from 30-50 percent. The quickest way to do this is to operate a whole-house humidifier during the dry winter and a whole-house dehumidifier throughout the humid summer.
Indoor Plants and Allergies
Indoor plants can enhance IAQ by filtering out toxins and discharging oxygen. However, some plants produce irritating pollen, and overwatering them may foster mold growth, contributing to indoor allergies. When shopping for potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly species like spider plants, snake plants and bamboo palms, which help improve indoor air quality and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North America
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is dedicated 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 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.