Indoor allergies are a common condition for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical part of controlling 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. These contaminants cause 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 actions are necessary to decrease the concentration of indoor allergens, improve indoor air quality and allow inhabitants to breathe easier.
Reducing Allergens Through Proper Ventilation
One of the most effective techniques to reduce allergens is to increase ventilation. Proper inflow of fresh, outdoor air dramatically decreases the number of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing tricks to try:
- Open windows and doors when the weather allows.
- Turn on exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking to clear away heat, humidity and fumes.
- Buy a whole-home ventilation system to evenly exchange stuffy indoor air with fresh outdoor air through the entire house.
Air Filtration and Purification Systems
Air filters and purifiers come in numerous different styles. Some are created to clean the air in one room, while others operate in conjunction with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the entire house. They also remove allergens using a variety of tactics:
- 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 swirling around the house.
- Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, leaving them unable to replicate and reducing the distribution of germs throughout your home.
- Air purifiers that use activated carbon filters remove odors and chemicals from the air, helping produce a clean, fresh-smelling house.
- Electronic air cleaners contain negative ion generators that bind with positively charged airborne particles. The particles then cling to charged metal plates or become too heavy to stay airborne. Those that fall onto the floor can be removed by dusting and vacuuming.
Regular Cleaning
Keeping your home clean is an essential step in reducing home allergens. Here are some suggested steps:
- Vacuum your home at least every week using 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 weekly in hot water to kill dust mites and remove other lingering allergens.
- Utilize allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to deter dust mites from accumulating.
- Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other hard surfaces on a regular basis.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom to decrease dander buildup in the place where you sleep.
- Limit clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and create hiding places for allergens.
Controlling Humidity Levels
Maintaining the ideal humidity level is imperative for controlling indoor allergens. High humidity fosters mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity results in dry skin and irritated airways. The goal should be to achieve an indoor relative humidity level between 30-50 percent. The easiest way to do this is to run 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 giving them too much water may encourage mold growth, aggravating indoor allergies. When shopping for 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 dedicated 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 a great partner to fulfill all your IAQ requirements. Contact a Service Experts office near you today to discover more about how our services can help you find indoor allergy relief.