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According to a report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 25 million people in the US live with asthma. The most common type is allergic asthma. With that in mind, improving the quality of air in your home is an important consideration. When the air quality in your home is good, it can reduce common symptoms like shortness of breath, red eyes, and wheezing.
Allergens in your home like pollen, pest droppings, dust mites, and pet dander often aggravate asthma symptoms. HVAC systems are built to filter these allergens but if the system is not optimized, it could do more harm than good.
Here are four basic but effective ways to allergy-proof your HVAC system:
Schedule a visit with a licensed professional every year to ensure your HVAC system is running clean and efficient. Ensure the service call includes replacing air filters and cleaning ductwork.
A typical HVAC filter should be deep cleaned every two to three months. A HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter does not need to be cleaned as often, upgrade to save some maintenance time. Generally, a filter must get rid of at least 99.97% of the contaminants in the air to acquire a HEPA rating. If you choose a HEPA filter, select one with a MERV rating of at least 10. MERV ratings grade the quality of the air filtration on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 20 (highest). The higher the score, then the more satisfying the quality of the air.
Run your HVAC system for at least 30 minutes each day to help with air circulation. The air conditioner moves air in your home by bringing in the fresh outdoor air. If you own a smart thermostat, consider programming your system to run at a specific time and duration.
An HVAC contractor can help you install a UV light close to your system’s evaporator. A UV light can control mold growth and other bio-organisms that might be present in your HVAC unit.
For more effective ways on how to allergy-proof your HVAC system, contact a professional HVAC contractor. Let your professional real estate agent know if you've optimized your HVAC system for allergen control.
Susan Shuxian Hu has been a dedicated realtor serving in Silicon Valley since 2010. With great passion, outstanding negotiation skills and due diligence, she has helped many buyers and sellers in their real estate needs. Living in West San Jose for more than 14 years, she has broad knowledge in Cupertino, West San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga. She has enormous patience working with buyers and never tired of showing all possible properties that may fit client’s needs. Clients appreciate her best service to their satisfaction. She specialized in luxurious real estate purchase in Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga and Palo Alto. She also helped friend and past client’s referral working in San Francisco, Foster City and far reached Bay Area.
Susan Shuxian Hu was graduated in East China Normal University in Shanghai with bachelor and master degrees in Bio science. She came to US in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in Texas A&M University in 1996. After one year of postdoc in Southern Florida University in Tampa, she moved back to Orlando with her family and started working in Lucent Technologies. In 2002, Susan moved to California, Silicon Valley joined a start-up company. Since then she worked in high tech Corporation till 2009. Driven by her dream job pursuing, she found her passion working in sales by helping people in real estate after one year of education in De Anza business and real estate law study. Since then, she has been serving many people in Bay Area for their real estate needs.
With bilingual advantage, she has been actively working with Chinese immigrants as well as local engineers and residents. With rich high tech background and connection with Chinese community, Susan has served in luxurious real estate in last a couple of years.