10 WAYS TO RELIEVE ASTHMA WITH YOUR HOME HVAC

Spring is here! As we start to see flowers bloom, the trees become green, and the weather grow warmer, we’ll also see the return of some things not so welcome: allergies and asthma triggers.

Asthma is a long-term illness that is common in children, but adults can have it, too. It causes the sides of the airways in the lungs to swell and shrink those airways, making it difficult to breathe. An asthma attack is generally characterized by wheezing, coughing, a tightness of the chest, and overall trouble breathing. Mucus produced by your body can make it even worse. If you’ve never had or witnessed an asthma attack, they can be pretty alarming

Asthma attacks are caused by exposure to asthma triggers. Things that trigger one person’s symptoms may be completely different than what affects someone else. Common triggers include tobacco smoke, dust and dust mites, outdoor air pollutants like pollen or other common allergens, pet hair or dander, mold, wood smoke, infections, and other airborne contaminants. While treatments are available, the best way to avoid asthma attacks is to understand and avoid your triggers. But how exactly do you do that?

• Keep your doors and windows closed
• Dust and vacuum frequently, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter
• Change your home’s air filter regularly
• Keep your home HVAC systems in optimum shape by having regular maintenance performed.

Filters are rated on their effectiveness using a MERV, or, minimum efficiency recording value, rating. High-quality filters will range between 14-16, but HEPA filters will have a rating of 17 or higher. This means they catch the most particles and prevent them from entering your home’s airflow. Be careful, though, as most home systems are not equipped to handle a HEPA filter unless they’ve been upgraded. A home heating expert like All American Heating can advise as to the right air filter to use at high altitudes. We also offer permanent, high-performance air filters for the best in clean air.

Room air purifiers can be found at any home improvement or department store. These systems are an excellent complement to the purification efforts of your air conditioning system. Additionally, whole-home air purifiers with HEPA filters can be added to your home HVAC system by an HVAC professional. These will help trap the most particles and remove them from the air in your home, letting you and your family breathe easier.

Humidity is a very common asthma trigger and can make it even more difficult to breathe. It can also promote the growth of mold, mildew and other airborne contaminants that can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms. Again, small dehumidifiers can be purchased for areas like basements or rooms that are commonly damp. Or, you can have an HVAC expert add a whole-home humidifier to your HVAC system. This is the best approach to maintaining the proper humidity levels throughout your home.

A professional duct cleaning is the first step in improving the quality of the air flowing through your home. This process will clear out the dust, allergens and other airborne contaminants that enter your home’s airflow, delivering cleaner air to your home and its inhabitants.

Duct sanitizing is an extra step designed to kill any airborne pathogens or bacteria that are residing in your ductwork and making their way into the air throughout your home. Once the ducts are sanitized, your home’s air will be cleaner and healthier.

Duct sealing with a system like Aeroseal can help eliminate duct leaks by which these particles are entering your home’s airflow, like broken seals or cracks in your duct system. Aeroseal sprays an aerosol sealant into your ductwork, which is carried throughout and which gathers at the edges of cracks or holes and fills them in, sealing the leaks. This closes your ductwork off from contaminants, maintaining clean airflow and delivering the highest quality air to you and your family.

Ultra-violet germicidal light fixtures are designed to kill bacteria and other particles in your ductwork on a continual basis. Mounted in your ductwork, these fixtures shine ultra-violet rays at various points in your system, so all the air is exposed, and the contaminants it contains are killed as the air flows by. Like duct sanitization, UV light fixtures provide cleaner air to your home and family, but instead of just once a year or so, these fixtures clean your air constantly.