Pet allergies can be a source of discomfort for both humans and animals alike. Allergies occur when an immune system erroneously interprets a harmless substance, such as pet dander, as a threat. As a result, the body produces large amounts of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to defend itself against the ‘perceived’ threat. This causes the affected person to sneeze, cough, have watery eyes, and have difficulty breathing. Pet allergy triggers vary, including pet fur, saliva, or skin cells left behind after shedding. There are solutions available to reduce pet allergens in the air. They improve air quality and make living with pets more comfortable.
1. Keep Your Air Ducts Clean
Having a pet is enjoyable. But if your pet is causing allergies and disrupting your home environment, reduce the allergy severity with your HVAC system. When pet dander and airborne allergens become trapped in the air ducts, they spread throughout the home. It increases allergy symptoms and triggers respiratory problems. Keeping air ducts clean minimizes the negative impacts of pet allergies. Regular cleaning of air ducts eliminates dust, dander, and pollen.
2. Use an Air Purifier
An air purifier removes airborne particulates from circulating in a home’s air. Depending on the size and needs of your space, there are different types of air purifiers you can install into your HVAC system. Ensure proper installation and follow the scheduled maintenance procedures. It reduces the amount of pet-related allergens in your indoor air. High-end air purifiers have advanced features like a HEPA filter or odor eliminators.
3. Change Your Filter
If you own pets and suffer from allergies, your HVAC system can provide relief if well maintained. Reduce pet allergies with your HVAC system by replacing the filter regularly. Depending on the air quality in your home, you should change your filters every 90 days — more often if needed. The right size filter traps dirt, dust, and dander particles, so they don’t recirculate through the vents into the living space. Hire a technician to analyze your home to determine which type of filter will be best for you. Higher-grade filters cost more but also provide superior filtration. Regular replacement of your filter keeps pet allergens at bay. It allows everyone in the household to breathe easier with improved indoor air quality.
An effective way to reduce pet allergens on surfaces that can’t be mechanically cleaned is by pairing an air filter with an air scrubber. The air filter removes large particles, while the air scrubber removes microscopic allergens. Investing in this combination protects your household.
4. Schedule a Maintenance Check
Having a professional technician check your HVAC system will reduce pet allergies. They spot flaws contributing to an allergen problem and adjust the system settings. They also suggest better climate-control solutions for pet owners suffering from pet allergies. Schedule a maintenance check for your HVAC shows your commitment to reducing pet allergies in the environment.
5. Vacuum Your Vents
Vacuuming vents reduce the amount of pet dander, fur, and dust. Carrying out this activity once or twice a year minimizes symptoms of pet allergies. Moreover, it’s advisable to replace the filters of your system often.
6. Install UV Lighting in Your HVAC System
Implementing ultraviolet (UV) lighting in your HVAC effectively reduces pet allergies. UV lights eliminate airborne pathogens and keep the air clean. They destroy bacteria, mites, viruses, and mold spores that trigger allergic reactions. This defense keeps you from worrying about your pet’s hair or dander circulating through the air and causing distress. Ensure the UV light is well installed for optimal protection. Often, this will involve replacing the return grill cover with one made for UV lights and adding a booster fan for extra circulation. Regular maintenance and high-quality replacement products keep your home pollen-free!
7. Install Dehumidifiers
Increased humidity levels in a home create an environment where mold, dust mites, and pet dander thrive. Installing a dehumidifier keeps the humidity levels low. It reduces mold growth and keeps your family from experiencing allergy symptoms due to a buildup of pet dander.
8. Install a Vapor Steam Cleaner
These cleaners use hot water mixed with a special solution. It breaks down dirt, dust, dander, and particles trapped inside the air ducts. The water and steam heat up to 250 degrees, hot enough to kill bacteria, mold, and allergen particles. To use this method, you must hire a professional to install the vapor steam cleaner into your HVAC system.
How Pet Allergens Affect Indoor Air Quality
Pet allergens are a significant source of air pollutants inside homes. They cause immediate and long-term health problems for those with allergies or asthma. The accumulation of pet dander, saliva, and fur cause respiratory symptoms. These include sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and cold and flu-like symptoms. Allergen buildup is more prevalent indoors due to the sheltered environment for pets. Poor indoor air quality caused by pet allergens is especially hazardous for babies who spend more than 90% of their time indoors. It exposes them to airborne pet allergen concentrations four times higher than adults! Regular vacuuming on carpets and bedding is necessary to combat these troublesome reactions. Use an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate absorber or HEPA filter.
What Else Can Help With Allergens?
Air filtration systems, such as cleaners and air conditioning systems, filter out fine particles that enter your home. Wet-mopping hard floors frequently reduce dust mite levels and improves indoor air quality. Taking off shoes when entering a home keeps pollens from entering a house. Keeping windows closed when pollinating plants are blooming outside will reduce exposure. Use herbal remedies and supplements, such as butterbur extract or probiotics, for natural relief from allergy symptoms. If symptoms persist, medication prescribed by a physician might be necessary.
If you have a canine or feline companion, you know cleaning up all their fluff and fur can be a seemingly never-ending chore. But you don’t have to resign yourself to having a perpetually furry floor. Keeping your house free of pet hair requires some semblance of a routine, but with the right practices and tools, you can remove excess fur from any area. Regularly brushing your dog or cat is especially important and should be done outside to avoid clumps in your furniture or carpets. Additionally, carefully choosing materials like pet beds, toys, and bedding that don’t collect as much hair will help keep your floors cleaner. Implementing these measures into your home care regimen can help make keeping up with pet hair over time much more manageable.
Contact the Experts
As a pet owner in Newbury Park, CA, allergies due to fur and dander can pose a health risk for you and your animal companion. Fortunately, your home’s HVAC system may offer solutions to reduce the number of allergens in the air. Consider purchasing a HEPA filter to remove allergen-causing microbes, dust mites, and spores that aggravate allergies. Contact to install an advanced filter system to capture smaller particles than standard filters and perform system maintenance.
