While many people correlate allergy symptoms with pollen, pollution and other irritants out of your home, your indoor air quality can have a huge impact on your symptoms. According to the EPA, “In the last few years, a growing body of scientific evidence has shown that the air inside homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outside air in even the biggest and most industrialized cities. Other research says that people devote approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. So, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to more contact with air pollution indoors than outdoors.”
Our York homes are polluted by outdoor allergens like pollen that force their way in out homes, and by irritants like pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, chemicals from ordinary household products and more. So, what can you do about it? The key is already in your home! It’s your HVAC system.
You should know that your HVAC can be your supporter or your worst enemy when it comes to controlling your allergies. A dirty system can harbor and distribute allergens throughout your home, so the answer is to keep your system well maintained. Primarily, you need to keep your air filters clean. Establish a reminder or indicate it on your calendar to check them monthly and exchange them out when you see that they’re becoming dirty. They’ll usually need to be exchanged every two or three months, but this can vary significantly from house to house. You can get filters that range from the most basic level of filtering to hospital-grade HEPA filters. The specialists at Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning can help you determine which kind of filter will keep your home clean and keep your HVAC running correctly.
It’s also vital to have your system habitually checked by a professional to keep your inside air quality where it should be. On top of checking that essential filter, your service specialist will clean the central workings of your system and make sure that everything is working as it should. You can also ask your technician if a duct cleaning would be needed.
When it comes to your internal air quality, you can put your faith in the experts at Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning to take good care of you. On top of helping you keep your HVAC system up-to-date, we can help you ensure you have the tools you need to take on poor indoor air quality and allergens—like humidifiers and whole home air purifiers. Just give us a call at 717-383-4479 to ensure your home’s air is healthy and clean.