What are the Top 5 Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Maryland Home?
Get a top-of-the-line HVAC filter
If one of our clients have severe allergies, the first thing we recommend is a really good air filter. Our top choice is a MicroPower Guard® filter. MicroPower Guard® is the most effective filter we install. It uses static electricity to make allergens and dust particles stick together so it traps more irritants. It also catches ridiculously small particles–as small as .007 microns as compared to other top MERV rated filters that catch particles of .3 microns.
Is getting a High MERV Rated Filter Enough?
To understand why we recommend MicroPower Guard® filter rather than just replacing your current filter with a higher quality standard filter (or higher rated MERV rated filter) you need to know a little about how filters work. Typical filters increase their effectiveness by making the filter material denser so it catches smaller and smaller particles of allergens. A higher MERV rating doesn’t necessarily mean a better outcome for allergy suffers though. Not all HVAC systems can handle the highest MERV rated filters, where the material gets too dense to allow normal airflow throughout your system. Restricted airflow can cause problems and unnecessary repairs for your furnace and air conditioner. Since MicroPower Guard® makes the dust and allergen particles larger through static electricity, (instead of making the pore space in your filter smaller) it is able to catch more particles without restricting airflow.
Whole Home Air Purifier
To trap even more pollutants and allergens from your home, you may consider having a whole home air purifier installed on your HVAC system. This is an additional air purifier and filtration system to remove even more pollutants from your home. They also require less cleaning and maintenance than small, room sized air purifiers.
Humidifier or Dehumidifier
It’s surprising how much very high or very low humidity can aggravate someones allergies. Heightened allergy symptoms is just one of the indications of a humidity problem. Other signs that your house is too humid are mold problems, condensation on your windows, bathroom towels or laundry drying too slowly, and musty smells. If you suspect you have a humidity issue, you can measure your humidity levels with a hygrometer or have a HVAC technician measure it for you.
If you find you do have a humidity problem, you can have a whole house dehumifier or humidifier installed on your HVAC unit that can be adjusted for the season.
Want to learn more about how humidity affects your health and home?
Allergy-Proof Bed Linens
If your allergies seem to be worse after sleeping, the problem could be in your bed. A lot of allergy sufferers are allergic to dust mites—microscopic mites that live in your mattress and bedding. It’s impossible to eliminate them completely no matter how clean you are, but there are steps to greatly reduce any effects. Make sure you wash your linens in hot water weekly and change your pillows frequently. You can also purchase allergy-proof or dust mite-proof pillow and mattress covers.
Get an Air Duct Cleaning
It’s amazing what can collect in your air ducts over time. If your home is old, has undergone renovation, or if there were ever smokers in your home there may be a lot of dirt and mold hiding in your air ducts. To find a reputable duct cleaning company, make sure they are certified with NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association). To be a member, companies must meet strict requirements that ensure a higher quality service for consumers. Also, a duct cleaning should include cleaning your HVAC system beyond what a normal maintenance cleaning provides. In particular, the housing and blower wheel should be disassembled, cleaned, and re-installed to ensure allergens and dust from the blower wheel do not re-circulate through your air ducts and into your home.
What questions should you be asking your duct cleaning company?