5 Ways To Reduce Home Allergens This Winter
Clean indoor air is essential to your family’s health and well-being. If you or anyone from your family suffer from allergies or asthma, you can avoid the triggers if you keep dust, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens at bay. According to a report by Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, “indoor air quality tends to be worse in the winter months because there is often no flow of fresh air from the outside, meaning allergens stay trapped inside.”
While you cannot completely eliminate the allergens present in your home, you can help minimize your family’s exposure to them. This winter, protect your family from harmful air contaminants by following these 5 relevant steps.
Use a vacuum tool with a HEPA filter.
Aside from crumbs and spills, there’s so much more than can end up in your carpets and area rugs. These areas are ideal breeding grounds for dust mites, mold, and bacteria. While regular cleaning is seen as a simple solution to this problem, it is not enough. Experts recommend the use of a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter when cleaning carpets and area rugs.
HEPA or high efficiency particulate air filters can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm), according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Get rid of mold in your home.
Mold is one of the most common triggers of asthma. Mold growth occurs in indoor areas where moisture is present, like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. In order to reduce your mold exposure at home, make sure to wipe dry your house items or surfaces. Water and plumbing issues are usually the source of mold growth in homes. Thus, make sure to call a licensed plumber to regularly check or inspect your plumbing fixtures or appliances.
Don’t overuse disinfectant products.
Overuse of commercial products when disinfecting your home can trigger allergic reactions among your family members. Follow a schedule for cleaning and disinfecting your home and only use EPA registered products. If possible, open up doors and windows to allow proper airflow.
Clean your air filters.
Your HVAC system uses air filters to trap indoor air contaminants, providing your family with clean air to breathe. However, without regular cleaning, air filters will become clogged with dust, dirt, and dander over time. Reading the instruction manual will help you access and clean your air filters correctly. For smoother system operation, you should replace your air filters every 90 days.
Trust your HVAC tune-up to the hands of professionals
Maintain the high efficiency of your home’s air conditioning system by scheduling a regular AC tune up service. A licensed and experienced HVAC contractor understands the specific needs of your AC system. Thus, it is best to leave the system maintenance and tune up to them. Enjoy efficient air conditioning in your home all year round by partnering with a reputable HVAC company in your area. Talk to the pros today!
