Allergy season can be difficult if you have allergies to pollen, grass clippings, mold, or pet dander. Even if that’s not the case, it can still be hard on your respiratory system. Keep your home safe by improving your indoor air quality (IAQ). Here are some ways you can boost your IAQ.
1. Replace Your HVAC Filter Regularly
Your HVAC system’s air filter does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping the air in your home clean. When it is in place, it will remove much of the pollen, dust, dander, and other pollutants from the air that it takes in. Naturally, it gets quite dirty after a while, especially if you live with a lot of people or if you have pets, and it should be replaced regularly (about every 2-3 months or so).
2. Keep Your Home Clean
Simply keeping your home clean will go a long way toward improving your indoor air quality. Any hard surface that can gather dust should be dusted at least once a week, and carpeted floors should be vacuumed at least as often. Removing clutter can also help since it will cut down on potentially dusty surfaces and make your home easier to clean.
3. Keep Pollen Out
It may be nice to open some windows when it isn’t too hot outside, but you need to be careful about not doing so when the pollen count outside is particularly high. Before you open a window or even go outside, check the weather report. Many reports and weather apps will tell you if the pollen count outside is too high. If it is, you might want to stay inside with your windows closed for the day.
4. Keep Humidity at a Reasonable Level
High humidity can make you feel just as uncomfortable as high temperatures, but it can also cause problems if you’re allergic to mold. Mold grows in moist environments, including a very humid house. The ideal humidity level for your home is between 40% and 60%, which can be difficult to maintain. Your air conditioner will help with your home’s humidity, but not as much as a humidifier or dehumidifier. A humidifier will add moisture to the air and increase humidity, while a dehumidifier will do the opposite. Portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers work well in small spaces, but a larger home will likely call for a humidification system installed directly into your HVAC system. The technicians at Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. will be happy to assist you with that and help you find the right humidifier or dehumidifier for your home, so contact us if you have any questions.
You can also control the humidity level in your home by keeping showers short, limiting yourself to just a few houseplants, fixing leaks, and otherwise removing moisture from your home whenever you see it. If you’re less than diligent when cleaning and keeping moisture to a minimum and you notice any mold in your home, clean it or have it removed as quickly as possible. Clean all affected surfaces once a week while wearing a mask to keep the mold from coming back.
5. Invest in an Air Purifier
Your HVAC filter does help keep the air in your home clean, but it’s not as useful as having an air purifier in your home. There are portable air purifiers that are good for apartments and other small spaces, but a whole-home air purification system is best if you live in a larger home. The air purifiers that we offer can kill bacteria and remove many of the pollutants that could affect your home, so contact us today to learn more about having one installede.
Contact Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. for More Information
Whether you’re miserable during allergy season or you’re otherwise concerned about your home’s air quality, Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. will be happy to assist you. We have served customers in Peoria, IL and the surrounding areas since 1983. Our courteous, NATE-certified technicians will be happy to answer any questions you might have about your home’s air quality. We can also help with heating and cooling repair, maintenance, geothermal installation and more.
For more information about our services, contact Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Peoria today.
