Find a Contractor
For those who suffer from year-round allergies, indoor allergens can be just as bad as outdoor allergens and are often triggered by indoor air and heating systems.

Tips For Better Indoor Air Quality in the Southwest

For those who suffer from year-round allergies, indoor allergens can be just as bad as outdoor allergens and are often triggered by indoor air and heating systems.

 According to Harvard Health, heating systems can increase the number of dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores circulating within your home. While opening your window seems like an easy fix, the cold weather may prevent you from doing so, worsening indoor air quality due to the lack of air circulation. As we wait for the warmer months, improving air quality in your home is important to avoid allergy symptoms and asthma flare-ups. Here are some tips to improve indoor air quality, especially tailored for homeowners in the Southwest.

Keep Your House Clean

A clean home is a healthy home. When cleaning your home, focus on ways to reduce the amount of pet dander, mold, and dust. The Southwest’s dry climate can exacerbate dust accumulation, making regular cleaning essential.

  • Vacuum Regularly: Vacuum carpets and rugs at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. This helps capture fine particles that standard vacuum cleaners might miss. If possible, opt for hard-surface flooring instead of wall-to-wall carpeting, as it significantly reduces allergens in your home.
  • Wash Bedding and Fabrics: Clean your bedding, drapes, and other items that regularly attract allergens, especially if you own pets. To further reduce allergens, use dust-mite-proof covers for your pillows, mattresses, and box springs.
  • Organize and Declutter: Clutter can trap and hold dust. Organizing and minimizing clutter reduces dust buildup and creates a cleaner living environment. Regularly dust surfaces and clean areas prone to collecting dust, such as shelves and baseboards.

Avoid Greenery Inside Your Home

While indoor plants can be aesthetically pleasing and are known to improve air quality by releasing oxygen, they can also harbor mold and mildew, which are common allergens. This is particularly important in the Southwest, where the dry climate can create conditions conducive to mold growth in humidified indoor environments.

  • Limit Indoor Plants: If you suffer from allergies, limit the number of plants inside your home. If you do have greenery indoors, choose low-allergen plants and ensure they are well-maintained to prevent mold growth.
  • Regular Maintenance: If you keep indoor plants, water them appropriately and avoid overwatering. Remove dead leaves and debris from the soil surface to prevent mold. Consider using a humidity monitor to ensure the indoor environment is optimal for plants and allergy sufferers.

Change Your Filters

Regularly changing or cleaning your HVAC filters is crucial for maintaining good indoor air quality. The dusty conditions in the Southwest can quickly clog filters, reducing their effectiveness.

  • Use High-Quality Filters: If you are unsure what type of filter to use, electrostatic filters can be a good option. They help ensure that dust and irritants are trapped instead of circulating through your home. HEPA filters are also highly effective at capturing small particles and allergens.
  • Regular Replacement: Replace your HVAC filters every one to three months, depending on usage and the level of dust in your home. Check your filters monthly and replace them if they appear dirty or clogged.
  • Duct Cleaning: Consider cleaning your ducts to remove trapped dust and debris. This can be particularly beneficial if you have not had your ducts cleaned in several years or noticed a significant dust buildup. Contact a local HVAC technician for professional duct cleaning services.

 

Invest In An Air Purifier

Owning an air purifier can make a massive difference if you cannot control the indoor allergens in your home. Air purifiers can help capture irritants that trigger allergy symptoms, especially in homes with pets or areas with high dust levels.

  • Choosing the Right Purifier: Select an air purifier with a HEPA filter to capture small particles, including dust, pet dander, and pollen. Place the air purifier in a common area where it can have the most impact, such as the living room or bedroom.
  • Maintenance: Regularly clean and replace the filters in your air purifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This ensures the purifier operates efficiently and continues to capture allergens effectively.
  • Dehumidifiers for Damp Areas: Consider using a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth in more humid areas of your home, such as the basement or bathrooms. High humidity levels can lead to mold, which is a significant allergen.

Let Some Fresh Air In

While the Southwest is known for its dry and often hot climate, it’s still important to allow fresh air to circulate through your home. Good ventilation can help reduce indoor pollutants and improve air quality.

  • Open Windows When Possible: On cooler days, open your windows to let fresh air in and improve ventilation. This can help remove indoor pollutants and bring in cleaner air from outside.
  • Use Exhaust Fans: Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove moisture and pollutants. Cooking fumes and steam from showers can contribute to poor indoor air quality if not properly ventilated.
  • Air Out the House: Occasionally air out your home by opening doors and windows briefly. This can help refresh the indoor air and reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants.

Additional Tips for Southwest Homeowners

Managing Dust and Allergens

The dry, dusty conditions in the Southwest can lead to a higher concentration of dust and allergens inside your home. Here are some additional tips to manage dust and improve indoor air quality:

  • Dust with a Damp Cloth: Use a damp cloth to dust surfaces instead of a dry one, which can stir up dust particles. Damp cloths capture dust more effectively and prevent it from becoming airborne.
  • Use Doormats: Place doormats at all entrances to reduce the amount of dust and dirt brought into the home. Encourage family members and guests to wipe their feet before entering and consider having a no-shoes policy indoors.
  • Seal Windows and Doors: Ensure windows and doors are correctly sealed to prevent dust from entering your home. Check for gaps and use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any openings.

Dealing with Pollen

Pollen can be a significant allergen in the Southwest, particularly during the spring and fall. Here are some tips to reduce pollen exposure indoors:

  • Keep Windows Closed During High Pollen Counts: When pollen levels are high, keep windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your home. Instead, use air conditioning to cool your home.
  • Shower and Change Clothes: After spending time outdoors, shower and change clothes to remove pollen that may have settled on your skin and clothing. This helps prevent the spread of pollen indoors.
  • Wash Pets: If your pets spend time outdoors, regularly wash and groom them to remove pollen from their fur. This reduces the amount of pollen they bring into the home.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can significantly improve the indoor air quality in your Southwest home. Regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and air purifiers and dehumidifiers can help reduce allergens and create a healthier living environment. While these steps won’t eliminate all indoor allergens, they can make a noticeable difference in your home’s air quality and reduce allergy symptoms.

The ACCA contractor locator tool is indispensable for obtaining professional advice or installation assistance. Local qualified HVAC contractors provide expert guidance and services to ensure your indoor air remains clean and breathable.

Find a nationally recognized, ACCA-certified HVAC contractor in your area today!
Find a Contractor
Related Posts
Two big boilers in basement
Why Is There a Burning Smell When I Turn on My Furnace?
When the time finally comes to power up your furnace for the first time this winter, you eagerly turn up the thermostat and patiently wait for the heat to kick in. However, a burning smell may briefly linger throughout the house.
Close up of dirty vs clean air filter
The Essential Role of HEPA Filters in Improving Air Quality in the Northeast
Maintaining good indoor air quality is crucial for health and comfort, especially in the Northeast United States, where seasonal changes, urban pollution, and high allergen levels can significantly impact air quality.
Keeping Carbon Monoxide Out of Your Home in the Northeast
Did you know that most of what we use to perform our everyday duties produces carbon monoxide?
man hand hold air conditioner filter cleaning concept
Washable Air Filters: Improving Air Quality in the Northeast
Maintaining good indoor air quality in the Northeast United States is essential due to the region's varied climate, high pollen counts, and urban pollution.
Map
Find a nationally recognized, ACCA-certified HVAC contractor in your area today!
Find a Contractor