You might blame your seasonal allergies on the changing weather and the blooms on the trees, but your indoor air quality (IAQ) also plays a vital role. Outside pollutants get trapped inside Douglas homes, which can worsen seasonal allergy symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, headaches and itchy eyes. If you feel like you’re in a no-win situation, the good news is that you can improve your indoor air quality and feel better when the seasons change.
What Causes Poor IAQ?
Simply put, air quality affects your health, whether you’re outside or inside. You might have the cleanest home in the neighborhood, but that doesn’t mean its air is clean. Poor air quality inside your home happens for many reasons.
Humidity and Poor Ventilation
Humidity levels and poor ventilation cause most air quality issues. When your home’s humidity levels get out of control, rising above the 50% relative humidity threshold recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air may become a breeding ground for allergens to multiply.
Dust mites and mold thrive in moist environments. These indoor allergens trigger asthma attacks and respiratory infections, which might lead to chronic sinusitis in adults.
Pollen
Pollen is a common allergen that makes its way inside a home when the weather’s warm. Open doors and windows, as well as visitors’ clothes and shoes, provide easy access to your living space.
Pets
Pets also cause IAQ problems. Dogs and cats have dander, which are microscopic skin flakes animals shed. Any animal with fur or feathers can shed dander. So, if you have birds, you can get a buildup of dander in your home, too. If your pet likes to sleep on your bed, you may be breathing in these pollutants all night.
Smoke and Chemicals
Smoking or vaping in the house can release chemicals into the air that decrease air quality and worsen allergies. Even the smoke your oven or stovetop emits while cooking dinner can affect the home’s air quality. That’s why it’s important to use exhaust fans in your kitchen to remove as much contaminated air as possible.
Your cleaning products might also worsen your home’s IAQ. Many cleaning products and air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds form gases when they evaporate at room temperature. Those gases have the potential to affect your home’s IAQ. You can find VOCs in paint, furniture and flooring.
With so many variables at play, when it comes to IAQ, you might wonder how you can breathe easier in your home. Fortunately, you have options for improving your home’s IAQ.
How to Improve IAQ and Seasonal Allergies
You don’t have to go to extremes, such as getting rid of your pets or never cleaning your house with anything but soap and water. Some ways to naturally improve your home’s IAQ include:
- Vacuum regularly
- Avoid smoking or vaping inside
- Use natural cleaning supplies
- Choose low-VOC paints
However, if you want to significantly improve your home’s IAQ, putting systems in place to filter microscopic particles from the air and improving humidity levels are the most effective ways to achieve cleaner air.
Whole-House Air Purifiers
The standard, replaceable air filter that’s part of your HVAC system does its best to capture airborne particles, but it can’t capture them all. To get the best air filtration, you need more advanced filtration options such as:
- Extended media filters
- Electrostatic precipitators
- Ultraviolet filters
These products require professional installation. Working closely with an HVAC professional is the best way to determine what air filtration system would work best for your home.
Whole-House Humidity Control
Whole-house humidity control is another professional solution to keep your home’s relative humidity levels under 50%. While tabletop or room dehumidifiers can work wonders in individual spaces, they’re not enough to improve your entire home’s overall IAQ. You need a system that works in tandem with your HVAC system to prevent mold and reduce allergy symptoms.
If you’re tired of feeling sick and tired in your Douglas house because of seasonal allergies, improving your home’s IAQ is the first step toward feeling better. We offer air quality testing and control options, including duct cleaning, routine maintenance checks, and UV germicidal lights. Call Chancey Heating & Cooling today to learn more.
