The most common trigger of indoor allergies include particles that originate both inside and outside of your home. Because indoor air tends to concentrate when your home is closed up, controlling them with entrapment and reduction can bring relief to sensitive family members.

In our region, the most common indoor allergy triggers include:

• Mold. Mold thrives in our climate, especially in basements, kitchens and bathrooms.
• Dust mite waste. Dust mites produce waste, which is a common allergen found in most homes, particularly those with carpeting. The mites themselves are harmless, microscopic spiders that feed on dead skin cells, so bedrooms and bedding tend to have the highest concentrations of dust mites.
• Pet dander. Any animals with fur or feathers can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
• Pollen. Although exceptions do exist, pollen from grasses, trees and shrubs are more likely to cause allergies than plants with showy flowers. Small, inconspicuous flowers rely on the wind for reproduction rather than bright colors or perfume to attract natural pollinators.
• Tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke contains many toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens and prompt allergic and asthmatic reactions.

Fortunately, the HVAC industry has developed several products to help manage each of these indoor allergy triggers. Air cleaners that attach to your central HVAC system contain filter media that trap much smaller particles than standard air filters for furnaces. Higher density filters, especially HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, trap more smaller particles.

Some air cleaning and purification systems use UV (ultraviolet) lights that can reduce the population of mold indoors, eventually eliminating it from your home. These lights alter the DNA of mold spores, bacteria and viruses so they can’t reproduce. They also minimize a few harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke, although it’s best to completely avoid smoking indoors.

If you’d like more information about controlling indoor allergy triggers, contact Overland Park Heating & Cooling, Inc. We’ve been providing exceptional HVAC services for Greater Kansas City homeowners since 1983.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Piotr Marcinski/Shutterstock”