While many people associate allergy symptoms with pollen, pollution and other irritants outside your home, your indoor air quality can have a huge impact on your symptoms. According to the EPA, “In the last few years, a rising body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the biggest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time inside. Thus, for many people, the threats to health may be larger due to more interaction with air pollution indoors than outdoors.”
Our Lincoln homes are polluted by outdoor allergens like pollen that find their way in out homes, and by irritants like pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, chemicals from ordinary household cleansers and more. So, what can you do about it? The key is already in your home! It’s your HVAC system.
You should know that your HVAC can be your supporter or your nemesis when it comes to managing your allergies. A dirty system can harbor and circulate allergens all over your home, so the key is to keep your system functioning properly. Primarily, you have to keep your air filters clean. Set a reminder or indicate it on your calendar to look at them monthly and change them out when you see that they’re fairly dirty. They’ll normally need to be exchanged every two or three months, but this can fluctuate significantly from home to home. You can find filters that vary from the most simple level of filtering to hospital-grade HEPA filters. The pros at AW Heating & Air Conditioning can help you determine which form of filter will keep your home clean and keep your HVAC operating correctly.
It’s also crucial to have your system regularly maintained by a professional to keep your inside air quality where it should be. On top of examining that all-important filter, your service specialist will clean the internal workings of your system and ensure that everything is operating as it should. You can also ask your professional if a duct cleaning would be beneficial.
When it comes to your interior air quality, you can rely on the professionals at AW Heating & Air Conditioning to take good care of you. In addition to helping you keep your HVAC system maintained, we can help you ensure you have the tools you need to take on poor indoor air quality and allergens—like humidifiers and whole home air purifiers. Just give us a call at 402-438-7992 to confirm that your home’s air is healthy and fresh.