Indoor Allergy Relief

Indoor allergies are a typical condition 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 useful strategies 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 into your home. These contaminants trigger allergic reactions. When allergens are present in the air, they can result in symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and more severe issues such as asthma attacks and other breathing difficulties. Ventilation, air filtration, cleaning and other proactive measures are essential to minimize the concentration of indoor allergens, improve indoor air quality and allow inhabitants to breathe easier.

Reducing Allergens Through Proper Ventilation

One of the best methods to reduce allergens is to increase ventilation. Proper 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.
Turn on 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 stale 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 a single room, while others integrate with the HVAC system for healthier air throughout the entire house. They also remove allergens using numerous techniques:

Filtration systems—like media filters, electrostatic filters and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters—capture airborne particles in tightly woven material, stopping them from circulating through the house.
Germicidal UV lights deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other microbes, making them unable to reproduce and reducing the distribution of germs throughout your home.
Air purifiers outfitted with activated carbon filters eliminate odors and chemicals from the air, helping produce a clean, fresh-smelling household.
Electronic air cleaners possess negative ion generators that bind with positively charged airborne particles. The particles then cling to charged metal plates or become too heavy to continue to be airborne. Those that descend onto furniture can be eliminated by dusting and vacuuming.

Regular Cleaning

Keeping your home clean is a huge step in reducing indoor allergens. Here are some good tips:

Vacuum your home at least once a 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 weekly in hot water to kill dust mites and do away with other lingering allergens.
Use allergy-proof pillowcases and mattress covers to prevent dust mites from accumulating.
Clean countertops, floors, furniture and other areas on a regular basis.
Keep pets out of your bedroom to decrease dander buildup in the area where you sleep.
Control clutter and knickknacks, which collect dust and create hiding places for allergens.

Controlling Humidity Levels

Maintaining the appropriate humidity level is fundamental for managing indoor allergens. High humidity encourages mold growth and dust mite populations, while low humidity leads to dry skin and unhealthy airways. Shoot for an indoor relative humidity level from 30-50 percent. The quickest way to do this is to run a whole-house humidifier in 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 releasing oxygen. However, some plants produce irritating pollen, and giving them too much water may encourage mold growth, adding to indoor allergies. When selecting potted plants, opt for allergy-friendly varieties like spider plants, snake plants and bamboo palms, which help increase indoor air quality and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North America

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is devoted 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 ideal partner to fulfill all your IAQ needs. Contact a Service Experts office near you today to learn more about how our services can help you attain indoor allergy relief.