Reducing allergens in your home is a great way to improve your quality of life if you suffer from allergies. Dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and cockroach droppings are your house's primary causes of asthma and allergies. Although your HVAC system is intended to filter and reduce indoor allergens, it may be blowing the allergens if it isn’t correctly tuned. Even if you don't directly have asthma or hay fever, there are several reasons why everyone should do air duct maintenance for allergy relief.
How To Reduce Allergies In The Home
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it is essential to take preventative measures to keep your symptoms under control. This may include avoiding certain foods and environmental triggers and using antihistamines and inhalers. You might be surprised to learn that you can get rid of allergens at home by using your HVAC system. You can be sure that following these suggestions will keep your home's indoor air quality tip-top shape.
1) Fresh Filters
Keep your air filters as pure and clean as possible if you have seasonal allergies. Dust, allergens, and other particles may quickly move throughout your home through clogged filters, exacerbating allergy symptoms.
The purpose of filters is to keep nastier allergy invaders out, but if you don’t replace them, they might cause your HVAC system to work too hard and create an allergen hotspot. To achieve optimal filtration, we advise changing filters once a month.
2) Dust the Vents
If you want to keep healthy air in your house, don't forget to check off "dust the air vents" on your spring cleaning to-do list. Just wipe the vents with a microfiber cloth to remove any lingering dust or debris. The less dust your HVAC system can draw in, the better.
3) Clean the Air Ducts
Let's say you've observed a sudden onset of sneezing, coughing, or other allergy symptoms. If so, it can be because of poor air quality in your house, and your ducts' air circulation can cause contaminants to be picked up by the air, including dust, secondhand smoke, pet dander, and hair. Filthy air ducts can also become a haven for contaminants such as:
- Mold
- Mildew
- Pollen
Breathing in toxins can be uncomfortable for all family members, especially those with sensitive allergies, respiratory conditions, or asthma. Controlling indoor air quality is essential for keeping your house comfortable.
How to prevent allergies at home? Plan an air duct cleaning or replacement. When there is dirt and debris in your ductwork, there are times when dusting your home's corner is needed. We have the best crew for all your duct cleaning requirements, and we can immediately improve the air quality in your home.
4) Keep Allergens Out
Keep constant outside air from entering to put an end to allergies permanently. This spring, we advise relying only on your HVAC system to stay relaxed rather than opening the window or cracking the door. Although it can be tempting to keep doors and windows open on lovely days, outside air can bring in even more allergens, dust, and debris, potentially irritating your allergies even more. It's best to breathe clean, filtered air to alleviate allergy symptoms. You can also use anti-allergy sprays to reduce allergens in the home.
5) Check Humidity Levels
Add a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier to your heating and cooling system to control humidity levels. The air should be just right—not too dry or humid. The ideal relative humidity is in the range of 40%. Most people know that damp air can promote mold and mildew growth, producing spores that aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms. Many people do not understand the adverse effects of dry air, though. Allergens and pollutants can linger in the mood for longer when there is insufficient moisture, which can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms and increase the dust in your house.
6) Keep Your Home Clean
Keep your home's surfaces tidy and uncluttered. In the bedroom, where you spend one-third of your time, bare flooring and walls are optimal. Keep the carpet from wall to wall. If you must have carpet, choose washable throw rugs or carpets with low piles. Avert using thick draperies and packed furniture. Roll-down shades or washable curtains should be used in place of drapes and blinds.
Vacuuming assists in reducing allergies. However, subpar vacuums could release dust into the atmosphere. Look for vacuums that have asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Mark. According to tests, these vacuums can stop allergens from returning to the air.
7) Prevent Pet Dander
Most medical professionals advise against keeping feathered or furry pets if you have allergies to animal dander. A hypoallergenic pet does not exist, and all animals shed skin cells or dander, and people with pet allergies are allergic to it. Less allergenic proteins can be found in some animal dander, and there may be fewer or no symptoms.
8) Give Indoor Air Quality A Boost
Your HVAC system may benefit from installing a whole-house UV air purifier with an ionizer to help eliminate extra allergens and airborne pollutants and help you guarantee the distribution of clean air throughout your home. These specialized systems incorporate electrically-charged HEPA filters that capture microscopic particles, efficiently eliminating contaminants from the air, and are advised by the American Lung Association and Environmental Protection Agency for asthma and allergy patients. UV light rays destroy mold and germs.
9) Wash Your Bedding and Window Blinds Regularly
Make sure you develop the practice of cleaning all of your bedding once a week to prevent it from gathering skin flakes or dust mites meals. We strongly advise washing your home's linens, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and comforters, and even tossing pillows once a week on a hot cycle (roughly 140 degrees). This may efficiently eliminate allergens that could become entrapped in the fibers and destroy dust mites, bed bugs, and other pests.
Blinds may be helpful for privacy and light control, but there are better options for those with allergies. Because they are frequently constructed of plastic or wood, when you change the blinds, they might draw in those tiny airborne particles and reintroduce them into the air you breathe. Instead, choose fabric window coverings that can be removed and washed in your regular laundry and come with a handy curtain rod or hook system.
10) Brush and Bathe Your Pets
Lastly, for people who have cuddly fur babies in their homes, brushing away pet hair daily is an intelligent approach to stop allergies from building in your house because pet hair and dander make up a significant portion of dust. Use a pet-specific brush to remove the extra inch carefully, then dispose of it appropriately. Keep a few lint rollers about your home to get pet hair and dander out of clothes, blankets, and furniture.
Nearly every day, we are exposed to allergens. It's critical to practice allergy prevention, especially if you or a family member are prone to allergic reactions. Keep a close eye on how exposure to allergens may affect you or a loved one, as symptoms of allergies can worsen over time if left untreated.
Managing your allergies or asthma starts with keeping your environment clean and healthy. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy a more symptom-free life.
HVAC Preventative Maintenance Checklist
If you ask yourself, “Is yearly AC maintenance worth it?” We got the answers for you! According to reports, routine HVAC maintenance may cut the likelihood of expensive breakdowns by as much as 95%. You probably wouldn't let your automobile go 30,000 miles without an oil change; doing so would be a recipe for disaster. Your home's air conditioning and heating system are the same. With a well-maintained HVAC system, you can get the following benefits:
- Prevent costly breakdowns
- Reduce energy bills
- Extend the life of your system
Preventive maintenance is often a key component in ensuring the peak performance of your HVAC system and better indoor air quality. With an HVAC checklist, you can ensure that everyone on your team knows the proper practices and that your company operates consistently. The items on your maintenance checklist will change depending on the kind of asset and the service season. So here we have a list of things to check for your HVAC PM checklist:
Winter maintenance tasks for a typical gas furnace are:
- Replace filters
- Clean and check the flue system
- Inspect burner assembly
- Check for carbon monoxide leaks in heating elements
- Inspect electrical connections for frays
- Ensure lubrication of any moving parts
- Inspect belts (replace if frayed)
- Check drains for blockages
- Check gas pressure
- Test thermostats
- Check heat pump
Typical air conditioning maintenance checks for the spring or summer will be:
- Check humidity levels
- Check for possible gas leaks
- Clean or replace air filters
- Clean or replace fan blades
- Check thermostats
- Ensure proper airflow
- Check refrigerant for leaks
- Check electrical connections
- Ensure correct lubrication of all moving parts
- If outdoors, ensure no debris is compromising the unit.
Who should I call for HVAC system repair and replacement?
When you're prepared to begin regulating indoor air quality in your home or you need HVAC system repairs, you can depend on our specialists to be there for you every step of the way. You've found the ideal company if you're seeking top-notch service. Home Alliance's air duct cleaning specialists are highly skilled and dependable and promise a job well done. Contact us immediately or use our online contact form to schedule a service.
