The tail-end of spring and start of summer is a brutal time if you suffer from allergies.
It seems you can’t go anywhere without coming into contact with allergens such as:
- Dust.
- Pet dander.
- Ragweed.
- Pollen.
- Mold and mildew spores.
And while you think you might get relief by heading inside, the truth of the matter is that these pollutants can negatively impact the indoor air quality of your home.
Fortunately, there are some solutions from Woodbridge GTA ClimateCare which can help you breathe easier.
Upgrade to a HEPA filter
If you’re still coughing and wheezing while inside, it might be time to upgrade your current air filtration product to a HEPA filter.
HEPA is an acronym meaning High Efficiency Particulate Air.
In order for an air filter to earn the HEPA designation, it must reach the following standards:
- Trap 97{6369897c66410f53ef897a90d73c2d12c99a8251621b6aa0889d3e95dfbde6d2} of all airborne contaminants.
- Capture pollutants 3 μm (microns) in size.
Take a look at that second bullet point for a moment. 0.3 microns is 0.000012 of an inch.
To put that in context (on average, source The Measure of Things):
- Human hair is 99 μm.
- A grain of sand is 1,250 μm.
- A single strand of spaghetti is 1,700 μm.
- Anything 30 μm or smaller can’t be seen by the naked eye.
Needless to say, HEPA filters must be incredibly sensitive to collect pollutants 0.3 μm in size.
Air purification vs. air filtration
Although they sound the same, there is a stark difference between air filtration and air purification:
- AIR FILTRATION captures unwanted particles while letting clean, healthy air to pass through unimpeded.
- AIR PURIFICATION releases cleansing elements and ultraviolet light into the air to kill mold and eliminate any odours.
As mentioned above, many of the particles which trigger allergic reactions are impossibly small. If they’re floating around in the air in your home, you cannot see them.
That’s where an air purifier comes in. It attacks those airborne pollutants and provides relief for those suffering from:
- Asthma and other respiratory ailments.
- Hay fever.
- Dry throat.
- Sensitive skin.
- Watery eyes.
- Runny nose.
One more thing to note: It’s possible to get an air purifier with an included HEPA filter.
That way, any contaminants they don’t get in mid-air, they’ll collect and trap via the filter.
Install a humidifier
Humidifiers work by injecting water vapour into the air in order to make it less dry and more comfortable.
As the humidifier does its thing, airborne viruses which cause asthmatic symptoms to appear – or worse, lead to the dreaded spring and summer cold – become minimized.
Much like tiny mid-air impurities, it’s not always easy to know when humidity levels are too low.
Usually, you’ll notice it when it’s too late and you’re dealing with things like:
- Trouble breathing.
- Morning dry nose and throat discomfort.
- Lingering coughs.
- Congestion.
- Watery and/or red eyes.
Air conditioners are must for Woodbridge, Toronto, Vaughan, and surrounding area homeowners to keep cool and comfortable all season long.
Sometimes, though, they can dry out the air in your home.
If you think that’s happening, measure the relative humidity with a hygrometer (you want it between 45{6369897c66410f53ef897a90d73c2d12c99a8251621b6aa0889d3e95dfbde6d2} and 50{6369897c66410f53ef897a90d73c2d12c99a8251621b6aa0889d3e95dfbde6d2}).
And if the hygrometer reveals the air is too dry, a humidifier can solve that issue for you.
Other things you can do to improve the indoor air quality of your home
While you can’t control the air quality outside your front door, there are some common sense things you can do to make life a little easier when you’re inside:
- Clean your front doormat as often as possible. Pollen, dust, and other allergens can trap themselves on your shoes and end up on your doormat.
- Keep the windows closed. Dry, windy days are ideal for pollutants to wander into your home via an open window.
- Add some clean air plants into your home. Peace Lilies, Spider Plants, and Dracaena are all great at attracting and trapping pollutants.
- Install a ventilator air cleaner. That’ll keep stale air out and help control the humidity levels inside the house.
Want to improve the indoor air quality of your home? Contact us
It’s never fun to suffer from allergies; especially when you’re inside the comfort and convenience of your own home.
If you’re having difficulty with the air inside your home, don’t put it off any longer. We want to help you ASAP.
Since you spend more time at home than anywhere else, the air quality should be absolutely perfect.
Contact us now with your comments or schedule a service call.
