Indoor Allergy Relief

Indoor allergies are a common condition for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a crucial part of managing your allergies and ensuring a healthy, comfortable living environment. Here, you’ll learn useful 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 into your home. These contaminants trigger allergic reactions. When allergens are present in the air, they can induce symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and more severe issues including asthma attacks and other breathing problems. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive actions are needed to reduce the concentration 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 dramatically decreases the number of allergens in your home. Here are some ventilation-increasing techniques 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.
Install 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 are made in numerous different styles. Some are created to clean the air in an individual room, while others integrate with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the house. They also clear away allergens using a variety of methods:

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 around the house.
Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, rendering them unable to reproduce and reducing the spread of germs throughout your home.
Air purifiers with activated carbon filters remove odors and chemicals from the air, helping produce a clean, fresh-smelling interior.
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 remain airborne. Those that fall onto household surfaces 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 steps:

Vacuum your home at least every week with 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 destroy 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 room where you sleep.
Limit clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and create hiding places for allergens.

Controlling Humidity Levels

Maintaining the recommended humidity level is fundamental for managing indoor allergens. High humidity fosters mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity results in dry skin and unhealthy airways. Shoot for an indoor relative humidity level between 30-50 percent. The simplest 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 watering them too often may foster mold growth, adding to indoor allergies. When shopping for potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly varieties 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 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 learn more about how our services can help you find indoor allergy relief.