Improving Indoor Air Quality
The days are getting hotter and more humid, and air conditioning season is well underway. You really appreciate the comfort, but it seems that every time you step into the home, your nose begins to run, your eyes water and you sneeze. It makes you wonder to yourself: “Am I allergic to AC?” The answer is “no.” However, you might be allergic to the poor indoor air quality of the air trapped inside your home and circulating throughout the house.
The cool air is not making you sick, but the root cause might be contaminants such as dust, pollen, or pet dander.
Studies show that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can trigger allergic reactions and sinus congestion similar to allergy symptoms.
Keep Your HVAC System Clean
If you suffer from allergy symptoms due to poor indoor air quality, consider these steps that can remove the contaminants trapped in your system and circulating throughout the house.
Simple things first:
- Dust often and vacuum regularly, using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter removes more of the dust and particulates that trigger sinus inflammation.
- Groom your pets outdoors and make sure to launder bedding frequently.
- Mild Spring weather tempts you to open windows. Mild Spring weather is also pollen season. If pollen is a problem, keep your windows closed and the pollen outside, or if you haven’t opened your windows since Spring pollen season, maybe it’s time to pick a cool morning and let some new air in?
- Clean and inspect bathrooms, basements, and tiled areas for mold. Once mold takes a foothold, it is hard to eradicate. Make sure it doesn’t get a foothold. Anticipate mold growth when you have standing water or water-damaged building material. Commercial products are available to remove existing mold.
Professional Indoor Air Quality Help:
- Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning. Forced air HVAC systems use a network of ducts to transport and recirculate air throughout the house. When the blower stops, the air slows down, depositing dust and other particulates inside the ducts.When the air begins moving again, some of these particles continue to move, but most remain. If you have never cleaned the ducts, the buildup can be significant.
- A preventative maintenance service call with your HVAC professional can ensure the system is operating properly. The HVAC system controls the relative humidity in your home to block the growth of biological organisms such as mold and mildew.
- Replace your air filter often. Consider replacing a regular paper filter with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. A HEPA filter removes 99.9% of airborne particles above a certain size. This will make a significant difference in the number of allergens circulating in your air.
Have Questions About Indoor Air Quality?
Not sure where to start with improving indoor air quality? Northwind Air Conditioning and Heat can help you with your indoor air quality needs. Contact us and get the answers you need.
