Do you suffer from frequent allergies or hay fever? Constantly dealing with itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing and congestion is never fun. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to protect yourself against pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and other allergens. Even if you attempt to shut yourself inside the house during allergy season, most of these allergens will still be inside with you. With this in mind, here are some indoor air quality solutions that can help minimize allergens inside your home so that you can breathe more freely.
Whole-Home Air Filtration Systems
Whole-home air filtration systems are one of the best options for allergy sufferers. These units work in tandem with your existing HVAC system to filter the vast majority of allergens out of the air. There are many styles and types of whole-home filtration systems, but they all essentially work the same way.
These units contain a highly efficient air filter that traps allergens and other airborne particles to prevent them from being spread throughout the house whenever the HVAC system is running. Either way, they are proven to be extremely effective at filtering out allergens and other harmful pollutants. Many air filtration systems can remove up to 99% of pollen and other allergens from the air within the first 24 hours of use. Still, it is important to note that these units only work when your HVAC fan is running. Therefore, it is usually best to keep your fan running constantly whenever your allergies are at their worst.
Whole-Home Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
Omaha suffers from extremely humid weather during the spring and summer, and this can wreak havoc on anyone with severe allergies. High humidity can make it feel more difficult to breathe, which can irritate respiratory problems. Still, the bigger issue is that high indoor humidity might allow mold to grow inside the home. In this case, a whole-home dehumidifier offers a great solution to help stop the spread of mold and keep your air clean.
Low indoor humidity isn’t directly connected to allergies, but it can still cause many of the same issues, like dry eyes and itchy skin. Nebraska also has extremely dry winters, which is why more homeowners are opting for whole-home humidifiers to help overcome this issue.
The ideal indoor humidity level is around 50-55%. If you have trouble keeping your home at this level, a humidifier or a dehumidifier can help to both improve your home’s air quality and your overall comfort.
Mechanical Ventilation Systems
Newer homes are built in a way that minimizes air leaks. This is great to make the home more energy efficient, but it can also lead to poor air quality. Older homes are said to breathe, which essentially means that they have enough air leaks that a steady supply of fresh air is always flowing through the building.
This simply isn’t the case with most newer homes as they tend to be sealed up tighter and unable to “breathe.” As a result, it’s difficult for fresh air to circulate in. More homes are now being built with a mechanical ventilation system that ensures the home has a constant supply of fresh air.
A mechanical ventilation system is a simple solution that can help reduce the concentration of contaminants and irritants inside the home. These systems can also help to overcome issues with high indoor humidity.
Don’t Forget About Your HVAC Air Filters
Your HVAC air filter is primarily designed to trap dust and other airborne particles to prevent them from potentially damaging your HVAC equipment. The most basic filters are ineffective at filtering pollen, dust mites, pet dander and other common household allergens. However, there are more efficient filters available that can trap these particles and prevent them from being spread throughout the home. Although they don’t provide the same level of protection as a whole-home filtration system, upgrading to a more efficient filter like a MERV 10 or MERV 12 can definitely help to minimize allergens inside your home.
Indoor Air Quality Experts
If you’re searching for ways to improve your home’s air quality and overcome your allergies, Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC is ready to help. We are located in Omaha and provide a wide range of indoor air quality solutions throughout the area. Our team of highly trained HVAC technicians also specializes in many residential and commercial heating and cooling services and can work on all makes and models of equipment. For more information on our services, call us today!
