How Does Indoor Air Quality Affect Allergies?

Did you know your indoor air quality can affect your health? The air you breathe in your living room could have a major effect on allergies due to the allergens and other particles floating in the air. We have a few tricks up our sleeves here at 5 Star to help you and your loved ones breathe easy this allergy season!

If you find yourself having allergy symptoms such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, headaches, or itchy eyes, it is most likely not just the outdoor air causing it. Your indoor air quality begins with your heating and cooling system. There are many factors that contribute to the allergens inside your house. Typical indoor contaminants include dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollen.

Related Article: Breathe Clean Air Inside Your Home

What Could Be Causing Allergies

Dirty Air Filters.

A general rule of thumb is to change your air filter every three months and more often if you have indoor pets. Clean air has trouble passing through a dirty air filter, and it is imperative to allergies to keep a clean filter. 

MERV Rating.

MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value and is a measurement scale of the effectiveness of different air filters. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles your filter catches and the cleaner your indoor air. Although, high MERV filters are not to be used for every HVAC system. The smaller pores of the high MERV filter causes your system to work harder to push air through. Call your 5 Star Charleston tech to evaluate what MERV rating is best for your system. 

Mold In Your Home.

Mold typically grows inside homes in places with excess moisture. Mold can also grow inside your AC unit due to water droplets collecting inside the system. Mold growth could be the trigger to your irritated sinuses. 

Dusty Air Ducts.

Allergens such as dust can settle in your air ducts and travel into the air you breathe. Having your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years can be beneficial to your current allergies and prevent new health problems. 

Lack of HVAC Maintenance.

Your HVAC system is the source of your indoor air quality. A technician should perform preventative maintenance twice a year to ensure your system is working properly to benefit your comfort and health.

How You Can Improve Your Air Quality

Along with maintaining a clean air filter, a few things you can be doing to improve your air quality are keeping a clean space and occasionally opening up your windows. Opening your windows can allow ventilation and replace trapped particles with fresh air. Allergens such as dust clings to cloth like rugs, curtains, and throw pillows. Fluffing pillows and curtains, vacuuming your carpet, and dusting weekly can make all the difference to your indoor air quality.

How 5 Star Charleston Can Help

We can help you escape allergy season with the services we offer. Our technicians can perform an air quality test to discover the allergens in your home and determine how to proceed. Solutions we may suggest are air purification systems, dehumidifiers, and crawl space encapsulation. To learn more about these services, give us a call at (843) 849-3266!

Related Article: Purify Your Air To Fight COVID-19 And More!

We want your home to be a safe space to escape the pollen. Let’s work together to improve your indoor air quality and keep you healthy!