How to keep allergens out of your home is top of mind for many allergy sufferers in Kentuckiana.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, humans take about 20,000 breaths each day – 90 percent of which is indoors. Noting this, you want to ensure that any air you’re breathing inside your home is high-quality and healthy. Poor indoor air quality contaminated with dust, dander, mold, and other particulates can lead to more intense allergic reactions, among other health issues.
The good news is that you can do plenty to keep allergens at bay. In this post, we’ll take a look at how to keep allergens out of your home:
Here’s a look at five tried and true ways to keep allergens out of your home:
1. Change Your HVAC Air Filters Regularly
Depending on your HVAC system type, you may have to change your air filter anywhere from every month to three months (be sure to check your manufacturer’s recommendations). Air filters are one of the most critical components for keeping allergens at bay in your home, as they capture particulates such as dust, dander, and bacteria and prevent them from circulating throughout your home.
Additionally, air filters can help extend your HVAC system’s life by helping it run more effectively and efficiently. This can reduce your system’s wear and tear and help improve your energy efficiency. Be sure any air filter you’re using is allergen-rated.
Air filters come in various sizes, types, and efficiencies and can be upgraded on most systems. Learn more about air filter MERV ratings in this article.
2. Invest in an Air Purifier/Sanitizer
As the name implies, air purifiers clean the air in your household. Air purifiers work to purify the air inside your home and integrate it into your home’s HVAC system. Regardless of type, they work to pull in air, trap particulate and circulate the clean air back into the environment.
Research shows that centrally installed air purifiers and sanitizers can substantially remove harmful particles from the air and also work as a deodorizer. They’re best utilized with other home cleaning practices and as part of a property’s overall allergen reduction strategy.
3. Consider Regular Air Duct Cleaning
Most experts recommend that a property’s air ducts be professionally cleaned every three to five years – and perhaps even more regularly if household residents are more sensitive to allergens.
Over time, dust, dirt, debris, pet dander, pollen, and more are bound to build up in a property’s ductwork. And when either the heat or air kicks on and the air begins to circulate through the system and up to the vents, it’s then blowing these contaminants into the rooms of the home. A professional air duct cleaning is a thorough vacuum of your duct system. Not only will it remove contaminants, but it will disinfect and sanitize and remove any odors present in the ductwork.
4. Have Your Heating System Checked
Some heating systems can have a big impact on indoor air quality.
Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can release high amounts of harmful particles into your indoor air that may increase your risk of developing long-term health conditions like lung cancer.
Other potentially higher-risk heating options include heating systems with older furnaces and gas-fueled heating appliances. Gas-powered heating systems have the potential to release more carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can cause suffocation and death, into your air. Some experts recommend using direct vent gas appliances, which keep the gas from mingling with your indoor air.
Electric heating options are an excellent way to keep indoor air much cleaner than other heating systems.
5. Take Steps to Maintain Ideal Humidity Levels and Reduce Potential Mold Growth
The ideal humidity for most homes is between 30 and 50 percent. Anything more than this, and you could be providing a welcoming environment for mold and mildew growth, which can lead to more intense allergic reactions for certain people. If you need help controlling humidity in your home, talk to a professional about installing a humidifier or a dehumidifier to better control the climate and indoor air quality.
Contact our team today to schedule an IAQ assessment for your home.
