Spring is here and if you suffer from allergies, you know what that means: it’s time to break out the antihistamines, eye drops, nose sprays, and Kleenex. If you’ve had to put up with allergy symptoms for a while, you’ve undoubtedly done all your research and have figured out what works best to alleviate your symptoms. But have you ever considered how much the air in your home contributes to your allergy symptoms?
It’s time to take a serious look at your indoor air quality (IAQ) to see if it’s contributing to your allergies. Read on to learn how poor IAQ exacerbates allergies and how a system like a whole house air purifier can help.
What’s In Your Air?
When most people think of air pollution, they imagine the air in crowded urban cities and smog-filled landscapes. The fact is that air pollution exists everywhere and in many cases, a home’s indoor air quality is usually worse than the outside air.
Some homeowners think that the filter they change every 2-3 months in their HVAC systems is keeping their homes’ air clean. But that’s not true either. This filter is meant to keep your HVAC system’s internal parts free of dirt, dust, and debris. It has little effect on your home’s IAQ.
Where Do Indoor Pollutants Come From?
They come from items you have in your home and they also pass into your home’s air from the outside. When you combine this with the fact that homes are designed to be airtight and energy efficient, there’s no way to let the pollutants out–unless you routinely open your doors and windows. Here are some common indoor air contaminants.
- Bacteria and viruses
- Paint, paint thinner, turpentine
- Cleaning supplies and disinfectants
- Household chemicals such as room deodorizers and furniture polish
- Rodents, silverfish, termites, and cockroaches and their feces
- Pesticides and fertilizers
- Dust mites and dust
- Mold and mold spores
- Pet and human dander
- Secondhand smoke and wood-burning smoke
What Is a Whole House Air Purification System?
These systems are installed in your home to purify all the air in your home. Unlike portable, plug-in air purifiers, these whole house options tackle every room in your home. You won’t have to worry about changing the filters on multiple portable units as whole house systems take most of the maintenance out of the equation.
Whole house purifiers are installed by a professional HVAC technician into your existing HVAC system. When paired correctly and properly installed, they work harmoniously together. Whole house purifiers remove the pollutants from the air and then sanitize them depending on what type of air purifier you choose.
UV air purifiers use UV light to inactivate airborne pathogens and micro-organisms such as mold spores, bacteria, and viruses. The germicidal light bulbs will need to be replaced from time to time.
Electronic air purifiers give pollutants in the air a static charge through the process of ionization. The pollutants are then trapped on collector plates which can be cleaned by the homeowner.
If we’ve piqued your curiosity about how whole house purifiers can make the air in your home better for not just allergy sufferers but for everyone, give us a call to discuss your options.
Hometown Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted resource for air purification services. Reach out to us today! Your comfort is our business.