Is your LA home dusty? Dust may seem simply like an inevitable part of life for those of us living in locations with dry climates, like Los Angeles. Though many homeowners think of dust as harmless, many people have allergies that can range in intensity from mild sniffling and sneezing to severe respiratory symptoms. Those with dust allergies are actually suffering a reaction to dust mites, which are microscopic insects that live in and feed off of the dust particles that gather around the house. Dust mites can also be a danger to those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses. Read on for ways to cope if your home is too dusty.
Perhaps the most important factor in controlling household dust buildup is maintaining your furnace and air conditioner filters. Nearly all forced-air heating and cooling systems utilize air filters, which should be replaced three to four times a year in general, but can be replaced as often as monthly for those with special air quality concerns. When purchasing a replacement filter, be sure to look for a filter with a higher MERV rating, rather than just the simplest fiberglass model.
Regular cleaning is necessary, though you may find that replacing your air filters more frequently decreases the amount of dusting needed. Some vacuuming, mopping and wiping will still be required, though, and you should avoid cleaning methods that simply stir up dust, like sweeping or using a feather duster. In addition, try to get rid of things that collect dust, like heavy drapes or small knickknacks on shelves. Trading in your wall-to-wall carpeting for hardwood floors will also make a big difference in the fight against dust mites.
For households that have members with severe allergies or special air quality concerns, there are air purifiers and specialized air filters. These can come as stand-alone models, or can be installed as whole-house filtration systems to clean the air of allergens, dust, viruses, bacteria, mold and other particles.
Please contact us at Around the Clock Air Conditioning & Heating today about improving your indoor air quality if your home is too dusty.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about dusty homes and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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