How to Achieve an Allergy-Free Home
Do you or a loved one suffer from allergies? If so, you understand that allergens can affect those with sensitivities year-round. Although this is the season when most people spend more time indoors, being inside one’s home for great lengths during the winter may have allergies sufferers desperate for relief. Unfortunately, one cannot control outdoor allergens. However, those inside your home can be addressed with your home’s heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. If someone in your household is having issues with indoor allergens, a proper fitting and clean air filter replacement will help alleviate allergy problems.
Allergy Factors in the Home
Here are some of the main reasons you or your cohabitants may be dealing with allergies in your home.
Common Indoor Allergens
What you cannot see may be hurting you. Common indoor allergens come from a range of sources including pet dander from your furry friends, dust mites, pollen, and mold. When airborne, these allergens can wreak havoc on one’s immune system. Allergic reactions vary from itchy, watery eyes, to coughing and sneezing, to asthmatic attacks. If you or someone in your household suffers from these symptoms, it is time to consider an air filter replacement or other options to improve air quality in your home.
Your HVAC System
We often take our heating and cooling systems for granted, not realizing that maintenance is essential to the life of the system and your family’s health and well-being. Regular maintenance and air filter replacement will help preserve safety and greater circulation of air. When examining your unit it is important to check the air filter. If it is dirty or in disrepair the air will not flow properly through the filter, thus, increasing the potential for airborne allergens to do their damage. Uncertain on how to maintain your HVAC system? Contact your heating and cooling professional for a checkup. The service technician will evaluate your HVAC unit and report whether or not there are any issues such as the need for a new filter or your AC or heater needs repair.
Humidity Levels
Another factor that plays a part in the quality of your indoor air is the home’s humidity levels. Improper levels can result in discomfort for allergy suffers and those with asthma. If you are unsure what proper levels are for your home; an HVAC specialist can recommend an appropriate whole house humidifier or de-humidifier depending on where you reside.
Technology Can Help
Newer designed HVAC systems offer several advantages over older units when it comes to improving the quality of your indoor air. Improvements to commonly used air filters reduce the exposure to dangerous airborne particles within a home. High-efficiency or HEPA filters are also effective and efficient in eliminating allergens, they are, however, costly. In addition to improved air filter replacements, a UV lamp used in combination with your HVAC unit is successful at killing any mold, bacteria and other pathogens before they get into your heating and cooling system. Home air purifiers are similarly an excellent use of technology when it comes to improving your indoor air quality and will have everyone breathing easier.
Taking care of your HVAC system is fundamental in the prevention of airborne pollutants in your home. To help ensure you and your loved ones enjoy an allergy-free home contact your heating and cooling specialist about any necessary maintenance or repair including air filter replacement or air purification system installation.
