Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Curb Seasonal Allergies

If you experience allergies, you may be quick to connect seasonal irritations with outdoor triggers such as pollen and mold. However, poor indoor air quality in your own home could be the offender to blame for runny noses, itchy eyes and in some cases, serious symptoms like respiratory issues, bronchitis and asthma.

The Environmental Protection Agency found in a survey that Americans spend 87% of their lives indoors and that indoor air pollutant levels are up to 100 times higher than levels you may find outside. While it’s alarming to think about how many toxins you are potentially exposed to on a regular basis, there are straightforward steps you can take to increase the health of the air you breathe in your home.

Eliminate Smoking Indoors
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking indoors one time is enough to infect the rest of the house, even if you're in a room with the doors closed.

Vacuum Often
Invest in a heavy-duty vacuum and clean your carpets regularly to eliminate dust and other pollutants brought in from outside.

Wash Bedding
Wash sheets, pillows and comforters in warm water often to reduce exposure to dust mites and other allergens.

Let Air in Through Windows
Most heating and cooling units recirculate inside air so when weather permits, let fresh air in, if even just for a short time.

Keep a Tidy Home
Clean your home consistently using safe cleaning supplies.

Dispose of Unused Chemicals and Paint
Paint outdoors and choose non-toxic adhesive, finishes and varnishes where possible.

Groom Pets
Washing and grooming your pets regularly will reduce shedding and dander.

Use the Exhaust Fan Over Your Stove
The benefit of an external exhausted range hood is that it removes potentially toxic pollutants and gasses from the air in your kitchen.

Use Fans in Bathrooms
Exhaust fans eliminate moisture from the bathroom and lessen fumes from cleaning agents that could potentially cause health issues.

Change Air Filters
switching out the air filters in your heating and cooling system on a regular basis is critical to keeping favorable indoor air quality in your home.

Clean Air Ducts
Most of the in-home air arrives through ducts as part of your heating and cooling system. Those air ducts can get dirty with microbes, mildew, bacteria and loads of dust and dirt. Regular duct cleaning can eliminate built-up debris.

In addition to these key measures there are several advanced options for battling allergy-inducing pollution in your home.

Whole-home central humidifiers keep humidity within one percent of your desired levels throughout your home, creating a healthier environment by cutting down on dry sinuses, itchy skin and sore throats and keeping wood from deteriorating or warping. They can also reduce the occurrences of bacteria, viruses and respiratory infections. Proper humidification levels are just as important in both hot and cold environments. Too little humidity leaves the body vulnerable to infections whereas too much humidity forms ideal breeding grounds for mold, mildew and dust mites.

Options for high-efficiency air filtration and cleaners that kill airborne contaminants include High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration and Germicidal UV Light Systems.

Service Experts Heating and Air Conditioning can give you a free home air quality and comfort analysis so you can rest assured that your family is breathing the best air possible. Call 574-218-6404 or schedule your appointment online.