If it seems like your allergies affect you as strongly inside as they do outside, you’re not alone. Seasonal allergens can get inside your home quickly, and without the right HVAC systems to bring them out, they can bother you. Of course, if you have pets, indoor allergies and poor air quality, you may also be suffering in your home. You can change all of that with the right HVAC system, as it controls your home’s air and comfort. Here are some things you can change in order to reduce your allergy symptoms while you’re at home.
Air Purifiers
Of course, the number one thing that you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms is to use an air purifier. A sufficiently effective air purifier will remove pet dander and other allergens from the air, literally trapping them in the filter. HEPA-filters are ideal in order to actually get enough of the smallest particles out of your air to make a difference.
Filters for these purifiers are typically rated from 16 to 20 MERV. However, the actual construction of the purifier is as important as the filter you place in it, as those with poor construction will allow air to slip by the filter. And, there should be pre-filters before the air reaches the HEPA filter.
Humidity Control
Humidity levels can actually affect your allergy response. Many people who have allergies are also allergic to indoor and outdoor moulds and may become more irritated than other people by mildew smells and other air quality issues that result from high humidity. In the summer, your air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier, but, depending on your home and area, it may not be enough to keep humidity levels under control. You can use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air, to limit the growth of mold and relieve your allergies.
If you have winter allergies, you may find that the dry air removes moisture from your eyes, nose, and mouth, making your allergy symptoms harder to manage. In this case, you may use a whole-home humidifier to add moisture back into your air.
Change Your Filters
Filters on your air purifier, furnace, and air conditioner may stop working properly when they are too full. That’s why you should change your filters every few months, and possibly every month during the peak of your allergy season.
Choose filters with higher MERV values so that they will remove smaller particles from the air, including your allergens. Higher MERV values offer better protection from allergens. However, most HVAC equipment have a maximum MERV that they can properly function with. So, reach out to our experts at Woodbridge GTA ClimateCare for MERV advice before you add a new filter to your furnace, air conditioner, or another unit.
