4 Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Managing Asthma and Allergies
Managing your asthma and allergy symptoms can be challenging, especially in Sarasota, Florida, where the allergens tend to stay active all year long. However, with the right additions to your home’s HVAC system, you can keep your symptoms under control and feel good throughout the changing seasons. Check out these additions that can boost indoor air quality and eliminate allergens.
Dehumidifier
With the high humidity levels that are common throughout the year in Florida, it’s tough to keep the moisture in your home under control. However, too much humidity can cause a lot of problems for those who suffer from allergies and asthma. Excess moisture can cause biological growth in the home, producing spores to which many people are allergic. Those spores can settle in your HVAC ducts, causing flare-ups every time you run the air conditioning system.
With a dehumidifier, you can keep the moisture at a healthier, more comfortable level. Using a dehumidifier in conjunction with your cooling system will ensure that the humidity stays under control throughout the entire house, rather than in the room where you have a single unit. With this addition, you can set the right moisture level in your home without suffering the effects of too much humidity.
Keep the Windows Closed
When the weather is pleasant, it’s tempting to open the windows to let the breeze come through your home. However, this habit allows pollen, dander, and other allergens directly into the house, which can worsen allergic and asthmatic symptoms. It’s also hard to get rid of the contaminants once they’ve come into the house, as these small particles tend to settle in the air ducts and flooring, as well as on the linens in your home. When you lie down to go to bed, you may notice that your symptoms are unbearable, and this could be caused by an influx of allergens in your bedroom. The HVAC system will remove many of the particles from the air that cause allergies, so instead of keeping the windows open, simply allow the air conditioner to produce some cool air.
Whole-Home Purifier
When you’re still suffering from allergic and asthma symptoms, you may need to take some additional steps to clean the air in your home. Even when your ducts are clean and the humidity levels are under control, allergens can still get into the air you breathe through open windows and doors. Your family members may also bring in contaminants from the outdoors.
By having a whole-home air purifier installed, you can make sure that any potential allergens are removed from the air you breathe. This solution ensures better indoor air quality since a unit can filter out up to 99 percent of contaminants from the air in every room of the home.
Swap the Filter
Your HVAC system uses a filter to prevent dirt, dust, and other debris from clogging the ducts. However, when it’s clogged, it can no longer do its job. Make sure to change the HVAC filter according to the recommended schedule. Most standard filters should be replaced every month or two, although newer and more efficient HVAC systems have heavy-duty filters that can last up to six months. If you’re having trouble removing or installing the filter, contact an HVAC professional to handle the job as an improperly installed filter won’t be able to block allergens from moving into the system.
When you’re choosing a filter, make sure to take a closer look at the MERV rating. This acronym stands for minimum efficiency reporting value, which will tell you how well it can filter contaminants in the air. For those suffering from allergies or asthma, it’s worth using a filter with a rating of 11 or higher. The rating system goes up to 20, but when the filter is too tight, it can actually cause your HVAC system to waste energy because it has to work harder to move the air.
At Arctic Air Services, Inc, we have a variety of solutions designed to improve indoor air quality and keep your family healthy, so contact us for more information at (941) 283-7532.