Allergy season is upon us here in the Greater Rochester area and you may be struggling to find relief—even in your own homes! However, if you’re experiencing increased allergy symptoms while inside, there’s a chance the problem isn’t you, but your indoor air quality (IAQ).
In addition to the coughing and sneezing associated with allergies, there are a few things to look for that mean your home has poor IAQ, including:
- Musty odors
- Visible dust on surfaces
- Hot & cold spots throughout your home
- Condensation on windows
- Areas with a lot of moisture
At Wise Home Energy, we’re healthy home experts that can help you reduce allergens in your home this spring. We offer several indoor air quality services geared towards improving ventilation, combating infiltrating pollutants, and more. Here are just a few spring home maintenance tips that can get your home ready for the season.
1. Change Your HVAC Air Filters
Air filters are designed to capture pollutants before they can get distributed throughout your home. Not only can a dirty air filter contribute to poor air quality, but it can also put unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC system, leading to high energy bills and a shortened HVAC lifespan.
Tip: Change standard air filters every 30-60 days for maximum efficiency and comfort.
2. Upgrade to Whole-Home Filtration
Whole-home air filtration systems can connect directly to your HVAC system to capture allergens and pollutants before they’re distributed through your home’s breathing air. At Wise Home Energy, we offer a wide selection of air filtration systems, including UV light filters, that can seamlessly integrate with any model of HVAC system or heat pump.
Tip: Look for a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating (above 10) to trap more and smaller particles.
3. Consider Whole-Home Ventilation for More Fresh Air
Spring cleaning often involves a variety of chemicals, and it’s important to make sure your home is well-ventilated while they’re in use. There are many benefits to a well-ventilated home, including moisture control, improved indoor air quality, and more comfort. Our team can install many types of home ventilation systems, including ERVs.
Tip: Always ventilate during and after cleaning (especially when using chemical cleaners).
4. Insulate & Air Seal to Shut Out Pollutants
If your home has areas of significant air leakage, it becomes vulnerable to pollen, pests, and other contaminants. Combining insulation and air sealing can protect against outside pollutants and provide many other benefits as well, like lower heating and cooling costs, less drafty rooms, and more.
Tip: Consider spray foam insulation to get the benefits of insulation and air sealing all in one product.
5. Control Moisture with Dehumidification
Moisture is a common contributor to indoor air quality issues in a home because it creates an ideal environment for mold growth and increases your home’s humidity levels. Even if you’re only noticing problems in your crawl space or basement, that musty air will eventually find its way upstairs. Dehumidification systems can help balance your indoor humidity, which the EPA recommends stays between 30-50%.
Tip: Home dehumidifiers come in a variety of sizes and can work for one room or your entire home. Let the Wise team help you determine which is best for your home!
Healthy Home Solutions with Wise Home Energy
Several factors can contribute to poor indoor air quality in a home, which is why there’s no all-in-one solution. At Wise Home Energy, we recommend starting with IAQ testing to determine exactly what’s causing the issues in your home. From there, our team is equipped to find the most effective and reliable solution that helps you breathe easier throughout any season.
Indoor air quality is just one of the many problems we solve. Regardless of what type of comfort, efficiency, or indoor health issue you have in your Rochester home, Wise Home Energy has a solution for you.