There are many people who suffer from allergies in the area of Modesto, CA. This is most common in the spring and summer months. While almond trees are beautiful when they blossom, they can also cause a lot of sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. Regardless of what you’re allergic to, your home should be a haven away from pollen, pollution, smoke and other outdoor contaminants. If you have a high prevalence of particulate matter inside your home, this decreased indoor air quality can greatly affect your health in a negative way.
Indoor Air Quality Concerns
Though there are concerns with the air quality outside that can affect how someone feels, there are several indoor contaminants that can lead to allergy symptoms, headaches, GI problems and fatigue. Dust and dust mites are extremely common even if you keep up with the regular cleaning of your residence. If you have pets, there may be a lot of dander in your indoor air. Mold spores are also common, especially when the humidity outside starts to rise in the spring and summer.
When you are dealing with multiple allergens in your home at once and the outside air isn’t conducive to avoiding an allergic reaction, you can end up feeling pretty lousy. Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve the quality of your indoor air throughout the allergy season and beyond.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can have a profound impact on your health. When you’re exposed to high levels of VOCs from some things, like cleaning products, building materials and beauty products, this can raise your risk of cancer, cause hormone disruption and make you feel unwell. You can use an activated carbon filter in your HVAC system or purification unit to remove VOCs and odors from your residence.
Whole-House Air Purification Equipment
You can have our team install a whole-house air purification unit in your home if you are prone to allergy symptoms. This is a beneficial upgrade for any homeowner. It can increase the value of your home and ensure you and your family are safe at home. Rather than using a portable purifier to filter the air in your home one room at a time, you can treat all the air running throughout your HVAC system.
Different purification units use different filters. It helps to have an indoor air quality assessment performed initially so that you know what kind of contaminants you’re trying to remove. For example, homes with a lot of pet dander, dust and pollen can benefit from using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These filters can remove as much as 99.97% of the particulate matter in your indoor air. Unfortunately, these filters tend to cause a substantial restriction in airflow when used in an HVAC system, so you might want to speak to a heating and cooling expert before you install one.
If you’re concerned with mold spores, bacteria or viruses in your home, consider investing in a UV light for your HVAC system. UV-C light technology can damage the DNA of these contaminants so they can’t irritate your allergies or make you sick. Unfortunately, UV lights don’t trap particulate matter, so you’ll want to use this technology along with other forms of filtration to improve your indoor air quality.
Change Your Filters Frequently
The filters in your system are designed to last approximately 30 to 90 days before they need to be replaced. You may want to do more frequent filter changes when pollen levels are high outside or if you have indoor air quality concerns that you’re dealing with.
Some people choose to use a washable filter for their air conditioner, furnace, or purifier. While you can save money by not having to purchase filters every few months, allergy sufferers may notice an increase in symptoms with these washable models. Even if you clean the filter thoroughly, there may still be some particulate matter left behind. It’s best to replace your filter with a brand-new version, especially during allergy season.
Honey's Air & Solar can assist with all your indoor air quality needs. In addition to installing whole-house air purification equipment, we can also clean your ducts and offer ductwork repairs and replacement. Contact our knowledgeable staff at Honey's Air & Solar to schedule an appointment to change your indoor air quality today.
