Indoor allergies are a common condition for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a crucial part of reducing symptoms of your allergies and ensuring a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll discover valuable strategies on how to improve IAQ for indoor allergy relief.
Understanding Indoor Allergies
Indoor 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. These contaminants cause allergic reactions. When allergens are present in the air, they can lead to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and more severe issues like asthma attacks and other breathing issues. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive actions are necessary 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 methods to reduce allergens is to improve ventilation. Appropriate inflow of fresh, outdoor air significantly decreases the amount 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 release heat, humidity and fumes.
- Purchase 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 are made in a number of different styles. Some are designed to clean the air in one room, while others operate in conjunction with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the entire home. They also eliminate allergens using numerous techniques:
- Filtration systems—including media filters, electrostatic filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters—capture airborne particles in tightly woven material, blocking them from moving through the house.
- Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, rendering them unable to reproduce and reducing the circulation of germs throughout your home.
- Air purifiers with activated carbon filters get rid of odors and chemicals from the air, helping produce a clean, fresh-smelling household.
- Electronic air cleaners possess 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 fall onto furniture can be cleaned up by dusting and vacuuming.
Regular Cleaning
Keeping your home clean is a crucial step in limiting home allergens. Here are some recommended tips:
- Vacuum your home at least every week utilizing a vacuum cleaner equipped with 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 eliminate dust mites and remove other lingering allergens.
- Utilize allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to prevent dust mites from accumulating.
- Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other hard surfaces on a regular basis.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom to minimize dander buildup in the place where you sleep.
- Reduce clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and create hiding places for allergens.
Controlling Humidity Levels
Maintaining the ideal humidity level is fundamental for managing indoor allergens. High humidity encourages mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity contributes to dry skin and inflamed airways. The goal should be to achieve an indoor relative humidity level ranging from 30-50 percent. The easiest way to do this is to use a whole-house humidifier during 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 overwatering them may foster mold growth, aggravating indoor allergies. When choosing potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly varieties like spider plants, snake plants and bamboo palms, which help increase 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 assisting our customers in creating a healthy and comfortable household. With our expertise in indoor air quality solutions and your satisfaction guaranteed, we are the perfect partner to fulfill all your IAQ requirements. Contact a Service Experts office near you today to find out more about how our services can help you achieve indoor allergy relief.