How Indoor Air Quality Affects Your Allergies

August 03, 2017

While many people connect allergy symptoms with pollen, pollution and other irritants out of your home, your interior air quality can have a large impact on your symptoms. According to the EPA, “In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has shown that the air within homes and other buildings can be more dangerously polluted than the external air in even the biggest and most industrialized cities. Other research shows that people fill approximately 90 percent of their time within a home or building. Therefore, for many people, the dangers to health may be greater due to more contact with air pollution indoors than outdoors.”

Our Omaha homes are full of outdoor allergens like pollen that force their way inside, and by irritants like pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, chemicals from average household cleaners and more. So, what can you do about it? The answer is already in your home! It’s your HVAC system.

You should realize that your HVAC can be your best friend or your foe when it comes to controlling your allergies. A dirty system can foster and distribute allergens all over your home, so the solution is to keep your system functioning properly. Primarily, you have to keep your air filters clean. Place a reminder or mark it on your calendar to check them monthly and change them out when you see that they’re getting dirty. They’ll usually need to be replaced every two or three months, but this can differ considerably from home to home. You can find filters that span from the most simple level of filtering to hospital-grade HEPA filters. The experts at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning can help you decide which type of filter will keep your home clean and keep your HVAC running correctly.

It’s also vital to have your system regularly checked by a pro to keep your indoor air quality where it should be. In addition to inspecting that all-important filter, your service expert will clean the inner workings of your system and guarantee that everything is operating as it should. You can also ask your technician if a duct cleaning would be needed.

When it comes to your internal air quality, you can rely on the professionals at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning to take good care of you. On top of helping you keep your HVAC system up-to-date, we can help you know that you have the tools you need to combat poor indoor air quality and allergens—like humidifiers and whole home air purifiers. Just give us a call at 402-509-5940 to ensure your home’s air is healthy and pure.