Is Your Home Affecting Your Allergies?

Our homes should be a refuge from the hazards of the world, right? But what if you found out that the air you’re breathing in your home is actually aggravating your allergies and causing other health issues, instead of helping you take a break from exposure to pollen and other allergens outdoors?

That is increasingly the case with the airtight homes that are built today. With little to no ventilation to exhaust stale air, pollutants generated in the home and also brought in by the occupants build up to levels can cause the following problems:

• asthma
• allergies
• liver and kidney problems
• dizziness
• nausea
• vision problems
• headaches
• loss of coordination

Experts say the best way to reduce these pollutants is to tackle them at the source.

Allergens and Their Sources

Some of the allergens commonly found in homes that are known to cause allergic responses are:

• dust
• pollen
• mold and mildew
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
• dust mites and dust mite feces
• cockroaches
• pet dander

Controlling Allergens

If you know which of the above allergens is causing you problems, you can concentrate on controlling that one. Otherwise, a multi-pronged approach that focuses on generally improving indoor air quality and reducing airborne particulates should be helpful.

Dust: Take off your shoes at the door. Vacuum frequently with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. Use a good quality, pleated air filter in your HVAC system. Frequent vacuuming and a good air filter will also help with many of the other allergens on the list.

Pollen: Change clothes when you enter the home.

Mold, mildew: Fix plumbing and ceiling leaks right away. Fix leaks involving the HVAC condensate drain.

VOCs: Store tightly capped chemicals in the garage. Air out pressed-wood products, textiles and dry cleaning before bringing into the home.

Dust mites: Wash linens in hot water.

Insects: Have the home sprayed for insect infestations.

Pet dander: Brush pets daily outdoors; bathe them once a week.

Installing ventilation and a whole-house air purifier may also improve your air quality considerably.

For more on controlling allergies, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning of Lorain.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about allergies and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.