If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from allergies, you know when spring arrives. Having good indoor air quality is an important part of living in a healthy home. There are many things you can do to combat your seasonal symptoms. Here are a few:
- Close windows and doors and turn air conditioning on to keep the pollen out.
- Stay away from using an indoor fan, because it can stir up dust, pollen, and pet dander around inside.
- Stay inside on windy days to avoid the excess pollen in the air.
What You Can Do to Improve Your IAQ
One of the best things you can do for allergy mitigation is to improve your home’s indoor air quality. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air because allergens can be recirculated and concentrated. There are some things you can do yourself from a heating and cooling equipment perspective, while some others require professional expertise. If you have to deal with seasonal allergies, we recommend you perform the following steps.
- Replace air filters often. Especially during peak allergy season.
- Get a higher MERV rated filter. The higher the rating the more particles it catches, and the more restrictive the airflow.
- Invest in an air purifier. This removes additional particles in the air that a simple filter cannot get. One of our most popular air purifiers is the iWave. When air passes over the iWave, ions produced by the device reduce pathogens and other airborne particles, creating a healthy environment without producing any harmful byproducts. This device installs in any HVAC system, and requires no ongoing maintenance or replacement parts.
- Install a dehumidifier/humidifier. This will help keep your air at an ideal moisture level. A dehumidifier will prevent mold from growing while a humidifier adds moisture to help reduce sinus irritation in the winter.
- Get your ductwork cleaned. This will eliminate a ton of particles and dust that is built up in your duct system and being spread throughout your entire home.
Goals of Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
No matter what HVAC system you have there are 3 main goals to boost indoor air quality.
- Ventilation: Poor indoor air ventilation is a recipe for disaster when regarding allergens. It’s crucial to allow outdoor air in to dilute the allergens whenever possible.
- Filtration: Airborne particles are not efficiently removed through a clogged filter. Ask our experts about a higher MERV rated filter at your next maintenance appointment.
- Humidity Control: A good rule of thumb is to keep your humidity level between 30-50%. Living in Iowa, the relative humidity levels may need to adjust depending on the outdoor temperature.
Contact Us Today About Your Indoor Air Quality
Our professionals at CW Suter Services in Sioux City, Iowa can help you find ways to reduce allergens in your home through different indoor air quality solutions. Call us at 712-252-3007 or request service online to speak to one of our knowledgeable team members today.