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 troublesome to think about how many toxins you are potentially exposed to on a regular basis, there are easy steps you can take to improve the condition of the air you breathe in your home.

Avoid 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 quality vacuum and disinfect your carpets regularly to eliminate dust and other pollutants brought in from outside.

Clean Bedding
Wash sheets, pillows and comforters in warm water regularly 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 Hygienic Home
Clean your home consistently using non-toxic cleaning supplies.

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

Groom Pets
Washing and combing your pets regularly will lessen shedding and dander.

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

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

Replace Air Filters
switching out the air filters in your heating and cooling system on a regular basis is crucial to maintaining 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 steps there are several advanced solutions for fighting 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 scaling back dry sinuses, itchy skin and sore throats and keeping wood from damaging or warping. They can also lessen the occurrences of bacteria, viruses and respiratory infections. Proper humidification levels are equally important in both hot and cold environments. Too little humidity leaves the body vulnerable to infections whereas too much humidity establishes 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 offer a free home air quality and comfort analysis so you can rest assured that your family is breathing the best air possible. Call 352-414-4006 or schedule your appointment online.