Spring and Summer can increase the problems associated with allergies. Many of the common allergies to dust, pollen, and mold are elevated during this time of year. Taking a few simple steps to improve your indoor air quality can help you rest better and breathe easier. The following are simple recommendations, but if your problems are excessive, make sure to seek treatment from a medical provider.

How to Choose a HEPA Air Filter

Many air filters are on the market today, some are considered whole house filters and are typically installed by a professional, while others are individual or single-room filters and are very portable. Both can provide some relief and improve the quality of your indoor air.

Whole House Air Cleaners

Whole house air cleaners are typically installed to your HVAC system and catch the air as it circulates through your house prior to going into the heating and cooling system. When purchasing a system, ensure it is a HEPA filter as this is what is recommend by doctors. The system should filter out pollen, pet dander, bacteria, and more. Look for products with low energy consumption, quite while running, and filter out at least 99% of all contaminates in the air.

Where to Purchase

Do-it-Your-Self stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Menard’s sell various air cleaners. You can also find them at stores such as Sears, Kmart, and, Meijer. If you prefer to shop on line (or at least compare products that are on the market) you can search Improvement Direct, Venting Direct, or Faucet Direct (search for “HEPA”). All of these places offer these products for sale or you can request professional instillation from some of the stores such as Home Depot. You can also acquire such devices through local HVAC dealers.

Major Drawback of Whole House Air Cleaners

One major disadvantage of these filters is the need for the HVAC system to be on (at least the fan) for the product to work efficiently. This may increase the cost of running your HVAC system. Another drawback concerns the type of heat pump or fan on your HVAC system. If the one you have currently installed in your home is older or simply too small for the amount of square footage in your home, then adding an air cleaner may cause the system to under-perform. If you are in need of a new furnace or air conditioner, look for one with a built in air cleaner. This can improve the performance of the whole house air cleaner.

Single-Room Air Cleaners

Smaller units, considered room filters, are more versatile, less expensive, and provide quick relief for allergy suffers. Honeywell is a large manufacture of both types (whole house and room) and can typically be purchased at Meijer and Walmart. Look for products using HEPA air filtration lifetime filters that filter 99% or more of airborne pollutants. Other companies such as The Sharper Image offer products such as the LightAir IonFlow or the Blueair 450E Air Purifier.

Single-room systems are great for small rooms where one allergy suffer may need to find relief, especially while sleeping, or for apartment for condominiums where the square footage is minimal or the tennate does not have access to the ventilation system. Results can typically be felt within the first few hours of use.

Other Ideas to Improve Air Quality

Simple steps can help to improve the air quality in your home. If you can’t rip up, or don’t want to rip all of the carpet in your home to install hardwood floors, then you should invest in a quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Dyson produces a high-quality product that provides visible results. Not only does the product help to reduce the release of airborne particles back into the air, but it also helps to clean your carpets with the high suction cleaning system using the trademarked Root Cyclone technology. All Dyson upright vacuums are certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly based on the high performance of the machines. Once you invest in your Dyson, you should aim to vacuum two to three times a week. This will help to reduce the allergens carried indoors by humans and pets.

Another basic step to reduce allergens is to keep your windows closed during pollen season. During the Spring and Summer when the weather is moderate and the cool breeze is tempting you to open your windows, resist. Keeping your windows closed with your air filters on will improve the quality of your indoor air when pollen levels and other allergens are high in the environment.

Finally, washing your bedding in hot water that exceeds 130 degree Fahrenheit will help to remove unwanted pests such as dust mites and clean away the other allergens lurking in your sheets, pillows, and blankets. If your household item is not washable, purchase a product such as Febreze Allergen Reducer, to spray on couches, mattresses, and chairs.

Taking a few small, and relatively inexpensive steps, can help to improve the quality of your indoor air. This will let you breathe easier and sleep better.

Do you have any ideas, products, or recommendations to improve the quality of your indoor air? We would love to hear from you.

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• Allergy Be Gone is a retailer of brand name: -Air Filters, HEPA Purifiers – HEPA Vacuums – Hypoallergenic Bedding – Pet Grooming Products – Respiratory Care Products.
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