Spring is here, and with it comes pollen, mold, dust, and other allergens. How can you alleviate allergens and improve your home’s indoor air quality so you and your family can breathe easier? Here are several ways that your HVAC system can help you alleviate allergens.
- HEPA filters. Your system’s air filter removes allergens and other contaminants from the air, but only up to a point. If you want clean, breathable air in your home, invest in an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air filter. They can remove up to 99.97% of contaminants in your air, including pollen, dust, cigarette smoke, bacteria, and more.
- UV cleaner. If you want to eliminate mold and mildew, consider a UV air cleaner. An ultraviolet light installed in your vents kills organic matter on contact. This includes not just mold but viruses and bacteria as well, helping you alleviate allergens of all kinds. It works best when paired with a high-efficiency air filter that can remove the particles once they’ve been neutralized.
- Whole-home humidity control. In Ohio, one of the biggest contributors to allergies is the humidity. When it gets above 50%, it fosters a variety of contaminants in the air. A whole-home dehumidifier lets you set your ideal humidity level, so you can keep it in the sweet spot between 30% and 50% and reduce your allergen levels.
- Vent cleaning. In most cases, duct cleaning isn’t necessary for your home’s IAQ, as duct design eschews contaminant buildup. Your vent covers, however, collect dust over time, which then gets circulated through your home as the air blows throw them. To alleviate allergens, you should dust your vent covers regularly and give them a thorough cleaning once a year. Remove them from the vents using a screwdriver and wash them with a scrub brush in warm, soapy water. Rinse and let them dry, then place the covers back on the vents. Your air quality will go up significantly and your allergies will thank you.
To help boost your home’s IAQ, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide quality home-comfort solutions to Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area