Updated 7/26/21
Allergies are an irritating but common condition many homeowners face. Some are seasonal, from outdoor sources like pollen. Others are typically found indoors, like mold and pet dander. Regardless of the source, airborne allergies are frustrating and uncomfortable. The HVAC experts at A-1 United Heating, Air & Electrical want to help.
Our comprehensive indoor air quality services provide consistent relief from watery eyes, runny noses and other allergy symptoms. With our expertise, we can turn your home into a true oasis of comfort. The best solution will depend on the type of allergen. After all, what works best for mold and mildew may not work as effectively for other allergens like dust.
If you’re concerned about what allergens are in the air, here are a few of the most common. We’ll also provide a few details about IAQ equipment that could best provide indoor allergy relief.
Common Indoor Allergens
1. Dust – No matter how much you clean, dust never seems to disappear entirely. Excess dust can easily affect allergies, resulting in sneezing and sinus irritation. HVAC systems include a number of filters for trapping dust before it circulates through your ductwork. Replacing them on a regular basis will keep dust levels down and make a significant difference for your health.
The best air conditioner filter for allergies should be designed to trap microscopic particles. You’ll want to look for filters with high MERV ratings. Some filters are even given an electric charge to magnetically attract dust particles.
2. Pollen – Anyone with seasonal allergies can tell you how miserable springtime can be. Enormous amounts of pollen are released by trees, grass and other plants. Being outdoors will quickly aggravate your symptoms, but pollen can also follow you indoors. Like dust, the ideal strategy combines routine cleaning with quality furnace and AC filters. They’ll minimize the amount of pollen circulating throughout your ventilation.
Consider upgrading to a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. With high MERV ratings, HEPA filters are a vital part of air conditioner allergy relief. The highest MERV rating is 20, and won’t be necessary for residential filtration.
3. Mold and Mildew – Humidity and allergies are regularly dealt with at the same time. This is because mold and mildew are common allergens that thrive in high humidity. Organic allergens are often more hazardous because they can result in chronic or severe illness. Thankfully, this also means that humidity control systems are great options for fighting mold and mildew spores.
Nebraska summers can be very humid. A quality whole-home dehumidifier pulls moisture from indoor air before transporting it outside your home and HVAC system. Not only is balanced humidity more comfortable, but you’ll better manage mold and mildew growth as well.
4. Animal Dander – Whether or not you deal with animal dander at home almost always depends on if you own pets yourself. Cats and dogs frequently shed, especially as the seasons change. As they do so, large amounts of dander are tossed into the air. It’s particularly lightweight, so dander can remain airborne for several hours. That’s more than enough time to agitate allergy symptoms.
Many of our IAQ systems are capable of reducing the amount of pet dander in your home. You should also consider brushing pets outdoors to ensure hair and dander stay out of the house.
5. Airborne Illnesses – We mainly avoid bacteria and viruses to keep from getting sick. But airborne illnesses can also cause an allergic reaction, making them especially difficult to deal with. On the other hand, this means it’s all the more beneficial to minimize airborne particles. Not only will you minimize the chance of an allergic reaction, but you’ll also better protect your health.
Without the warm, humid conditions they need to grow and spread, microorganisms are much less likely to affect you. This means humidity equipment designed to fight mold and mildew is also generally effective against bacteria and other microorganisms. Special germicidal lamps are also effective options, using UV light to deactivate many organic allergens.
6. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – These materials are common in household products like cleaners, cosmetics and fuels. VOCs are released as gas into your home’s indoor air. These compounds can cause a wide range of allergic reactions and may even result in long-term complications if levels are high enough. Luckily, we work with a variety of powerful Lennox® indoor air quality solutions.
Many of their air purification and filtration systems are efficient at removing a large percentage of VOCs from indoor circulation. The specific model may depend on what allergies you’re most concerned with. Regardless of what you pick out, we guarantee relief for both air conditioning and allergies.
Trust A-1 United for Professional Indoor Allergy Relief
However your allergies are affecting you, the team at A-1 United Heating, Air & Electrical is standing by with a wide range of possible solutions. We can assist with the repair, maintenance and new installation of many different filters and air purification systems.
If you’re currently experiencing allergy symptoms, it could be beneficial to schedule an HVAC inspection. Your expert technician can offer suggestions and help you create an air conditioner indoor allergy relief plan. Together we’ll make sure your home is a place of comfort and health. Schedule an appointment today by calling A-1 United Heating, Air & Electrical today at 402-593-7500.