Indoor Air Quality Tips for Beating Spring Allergies

The change from winter to spring means plenty of pleasant things, but allergies certainly are not one of them.  In Virginia, we have many allergens that cause a multitude of issues.  In fact, Richmond has been voted one of the top asthma capitals in the country for several years in a row.  Allergy and asthma sufferers living in the state have a particularly hard time keeping allergy and breathing troubles at bay.  Improving indoor air quality is one significant way to combat some of the pesky triggers we have in our region.

Our homes are considered a sanctuary where we find peace and comfort.  We should rest assured knowing that we’re breathing clean air that doesn’t contain allergens. However, the air flowing through many homes can intensify symptoms causing trouble for allergy and asthma sufferers.  Standard air filtration in our HVAC systems can not always effectively remove allergens and prevent them from passing into ductwork.  This means that allergens like pollen, mold, dust, pet dander and many others are floating through homes reducing the quality of the air we breathe.

Here are a few simple tips for improving indoor air quality:

• Keep both carpet and hard surface floors regularly cleaned.
• Regulate indoor humidity levels—30%-50% help keep allergens under control.
• Don’t smoke inside, and avoid secondhand smoke from entering the home.
• Avoid synthetic fragrances because they emit chemicals into the air.
• Resist the urge to open windows even on the nicest spring days.
• Keep door mats clean—these trap many allergens and spread them in the home.
• Change the HVAC system’s air filter at least once every 90 days, if not more often.

If you want to go the extra mile in improving indoor air quality, it’s not a bad idea to have an IAQ assessment done on your home.  This evaluation will determine which pollutants and allergens are affecting the quality of your indoor air, and identify how and where they are entering your home.  The assessment includes detection of common allergens, as well as contaminants such as carbon monoxide, radon, and formaldehydes among others.  A thorough assessment of temperature and associated humidity levels are also performed to ensure the highest quality of air.

For more information on indoor air quality and IAQ assessments, contact Dominion Service Company call us today at (800) 832-0758.