According to the American Lung Association (ALA), around 40 million Americans are affected by allergies, and that number continues to grow significantly each year. If you or a family member are exhibiting allergy symptoms when you’re relaxing at home, controlling the quality of your indoor air is critical to creating a healthier environment. These tips can help you lower the number of allergens in your Tryon, NC home and alleviate allergy symptoms.
Identify Major Indoor Allergens
When it comes to allergy proofing your home, ensuring that the air is free of biological pollutants is the key to success. Although allergy sources include chemical emissions from household products and furnishings, for most allergy sufferers, biological pollutants like mold, mildew and bacteria are the most common allergy symptom triggers. Other major biological allergens include:
- Dust Mites. Dust that collects on your home’s surfaces represents only a fraction of the amount of dust mites floating in the air.
- Animal Dander. Known as a community allergen, pet dander can be present in your home even if you don’t have pets. Pet owners shed the substance from their clothes throughout the day.
- Pollen. While opening windows helps diffuse air-borne indoor allergens, it also allows tiny pollen grains to enter your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hay fever results in more than 13 million visits to healthcare facilities each year.
The Role of Humidity
Allergens like mold and mildew thrive in a moist environment. Humid conditions promote the growth of insects, bacteria and viruses as well. That’s why maintaining the proper humidity level in your home is so critical to ensuring that your family breathes healthy air. According to the EPA, humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent are deemed best for human health.
Your central air conditioning system is your first defense against too-humid air. Because cool air holds less water vapor than warm air, your AC removes moisture as well as heat from the air. Enrolling in a preventative maintenance program is a convenient and economical way to make sure that your air conditioner is doing its job at dehumidifying your household air.
Affordable Solutions
Your HVAC technician is your source for allergy-proofing products and services, including:
- High efficiency air filters are popular, economical solutions. A skilled HVAC contractor can install a new filter that will trap microscopic allergens without impairing your AC’s performance.
- If mold or mildew is present in your air ducts, qualified technicians can clean and sanitize them without causing disruption to your home.
- Duct sealing and insulation services can eliminate leaks and gaps in the ductwork that allows outdoor allergens access into your home.
We offer an array of products and services that can help rid your home of harmful allergens and help everyone breathe easier. From whole-home dehumidifiers that work in concert with your forced-air heating and cooling systems to high efficiency air filters, our goal is to ensure that your home is a comfortable, safe and healthy environment. Please contact our HVAC professionals at Gentry Service Group for additional information.
