If you suffer from allergies, living in Los Angeles can be rough on the respiratory system. Our Mediterranean climate allows for long blooming seasons, which translate to an extended allergy season. Combined with pet dander, mold/mildew spores, and dust, your HVAC system can be inundated with allergens that recycle through a forced air system.
High-tech air cleaning systems can minimize allergy-causing debris in your home. Here is a guide for selecting an air cleaning system and improving indoor air quality during peak allergy season. Consider a professional duct cleaning also.
Filters. It’s important to change your filters on a regular basis. If you suffer from allergies, you may want to change them as often as once every month or two. Purchase filters that have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 7 to ensure smaller particles are being trapped. Depending on your health needs, you may want to talk to your HVAC vendor about upgrading to HEPA filters, which have the highest MERV values. These probably will require modifications to your HVAC system.
UV Cleaners. In some cases, filters using ultra-violet (UV) light can be purchased as a built-in component to your HVAC. Otherwise, they can be added after market. UV light are used in addition to a high-quality filtration system, not in place of. They kill/neutralize bacteria, viruses, molds and other allergens.
Electrostatic air cleaners. These air cleaners work by using a charged plate to attract and collect oppositely charged particles. Neutrally charged air-borne particles are given a charge after passing through an electromagnetic corona produced by the electrostatic air cleaner.
Portable versus whole-house air cleaners. Both are effective at improving indoor air quality. If a whole-house air cleaning system isn’t in your budget, then turn your attention to more affordable, high-quality portable systems. Just make sure to observe routine maintenance, as per manufacturer’s instructions, to ensure they’re performing properly.
In addition to installing air cleaning systems, regular cleaning of your home, carpets, and textiles, will keep air-borne particulates to a minimum. Contact Around the Clock Heating & Air Conditioning for more information regarding improved air quality in your Los Angeles home.
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 allergy season and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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