Filtration is the frontline of an HVAC system, preventing some outdoor allergens from infiltrating indoor spaces. However, your filter is not a comprehensive tool for enhancing indoor air quality. Several effective technologies can maintain fresh, breathable air while minimizing allergic reactions. In this guide, we will outline the factors contributing to poor indoor air quality and provide some of the most beneficial tips and tricks for navigating the allergy season.
The Factors That Affect Indoor Air Quality
It’s sufficient to say that a wide range of potential indoor allergens can impact a person’s health, particularly if there is no filtration system in place. Here are seven common causes of indoor air quality issues for individuals with allergies.
Pollen
Pollen presents a specific challenge in spring and fall, but those with allergies will tell you that flare-ups can occur in any season. Different types of pollen lead to various allergy symptoms as the year progresses. For instance, while grass pollen causes summer allergies, ragweed triggers more breathing problems in the fall.
Pet Dander
While we adore our furry friends, many people aren’t fond of the dander they produce! Similar to dust, which consists of dead skin cells, dander is the skin flakes shed by cats, dogs, and birds. It can be especially troublesome for those with allergies, as it contains proteins that worsen allergic reactions.
Dust
Dust is one of the most common allergens. Since much of it comes from dead skin and pet dander, keeping a home sealed is difficult to completely avoid. Other types of dust can originate from fabric fibers or chemical particulates, both of which can pose a hazard. You can dust the surfaces in your home to help reduce the amount present, but dust can also enter vents and ducts within your HVAC system.
Odors
Odors from foods, cleaning products, and chemical pesticides can be major irritants for allergy sufferers. These substances introduce non-naturally occurring chemicals into the airways. Foul odors aren’t the only ones that can trigger an allergic reaction; fragrances also pose a problem for many individuals. For instance, scents from candles, incense, and essential oils can trigger reactions in some people.
Humidity
High humidity is a significant factor causing problems for allergy sufferers. When humidity levels are elevated, microorganisms like bacteria, dust mites, and mold thrive. Moreover, moisture in the air can trap pollen and other airborne allergens, making them easier to inhale. Lastly, humid air can be more challenging to breathe for those with conditions such as rhinitis or asthma.
Smoke from Tobacco Products
Tobacco products are a particularly insidious source of allergies because the allergen (the smoke) tends to accumulate indoors. If someone smokes in your home, it can trigger asthma attacks and cause airway irritation.
Building Materials
One indoor air quality-reducing factor often overlooked is building materials, which include formaldehyde, pesticides, and sulfur and nitrogen dioxides. These substances, which are microscopic in size, can irritate the airways.
HVAC Solutions To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Given all these factors that can negatively impact your indoor air quality, it’s understandable to consider filtration as a solution for managing them. While filtration certainly assists with many of these issues, controlling other aspects of your air quality, such as purification and humidity levels, and maintaining ducts and general HVAC systems is crucial.
Consider Air Purification
You can install an air purification device with any HVAC unit. This device is very effective against allergens, eliminating more than 99.9% of contaminants in the air. Removing pollen, smoke, dust, and debris from the air creates a much healthier environment for anyone suffering from breathing issues. In addition to allergens, these air purifiers also eliminate odors from chemicals and food present in your living space.
A professional installs these air purifiers directly into the ducts of your existing HVAC system. This ensures purified air flows throughout your entire home instead of just one room, as would be the case with a portable purification unit. Additionally, when these devices are positioned at the duct level, UV lighting within the system can eliminate germs. With fewer allergens in the air you breathe, irritation that causes breathing issues is likely to diminish.
Air Sealing
Air sealing eliminates drafts and prevents pollutants, allergens, and moisture from entering your home through gaps and cracks. By maintaining consistent temperatures and reducing humidity, it minimizes mold growth and enhances HVAC efficiency. This fosters a healthier indoor environment, with improved air quality, greater comfort, and reduced energy consumption throughout the year.
Humidity Control is Critical
Controlling your home’s humidity levels is a significant step toward reducing allergens in your living space. High humidity creates an environment where mold, mildew, and dust mites flourish, while low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your respiratory system.
When the moisture level is just right, allergens have a harder time taking hold in your home. HVAC humidity systems, such as energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), can help you achieve optimal humidity levels to enhance indoor air quality.
Schedule a Ductwork Cleaning
The ducts of your HVAC system deliver the lifeblood of clean, allergen-free air to your home. They require occasional optimization processes. With consistent airflow, these components need periodic cleaning, leak checks, and resealing.
Having a professional clean your ducts is straightforward. Our technicians at Environmental Heating & Air Solutions will use industrial duct-cleaning vacuums to extract excess mold, dust, and dander from your system. We also employ specialized brushes to dislodge additional debris from within your ducts. Lastly, we’ll clean the coils in the summer, removing condensation from the surface to prevent freezing.
Leak checking is a process that prevents allergy-causing particles from entering your home’s air. During the cleaning process, we’ll examine both the interior and exterior of the ducts to identify any holes or defects. We also use specialized equipment to measure airflow and detect leaks within the duct system. Finally, we’ll apply UL 181-approved tape or mesh and zip ties to seal any leaks in the system or its connections.
Annual HVAC Maintenance is Critical
We recommend professional heating and cooling maintenance sessions for allergy sufferers at least twice a year. The ideal times for this are usually at the beginning of spring or fall, ensuring that the system is prepared for managing seasonal allergens. When one of our maintenance experts inspects your system, they will identify any repair issues and also clean it to ensure it operates optimally when seasonal allergies peak.
Seek Out a Professional That Understands Indoor Air Quality
Improving indoor air quality greatly depends on how clean your air is from allergens such as pet dander, dust, smoke, pollen, chemicals, and mold. Eliminating these factors from your living space can make allergy-prone households much healthier and allow you to breathe easier. At Environmental Heating & Air Solutions, we have been providing installation, repair, and maintenance of heating, cooling, indoor air quality, plumbing, and minor electrical services since 2010. Our company and technicians can help keep your Roseville or Benicia home comfortable.
For all of your HVAC needs, contact Environmental Heating & Air Solutions today!
