Celebrate Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Every May, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America raises awareness for these common conditions for the entire month, deeming it “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” In Alabama and Mississippi, our allergy seasons tend to extend year round as our winters tend to be mild enough to allow some flowering plants even in December and January. Keeping your HVAC system serviced and clean is a step to prevent allergies and other respiratory illnesses from getting worse. Asthma and allergies affect millions of Americans with no cure in sight. In fact, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, ten people die each day from asthma and upwards of 24.5 million Americans (approximately six million of them children) suffer from this chronic condition. Statistics indicate the number of people affected by both allergies and asthma are rising. Although there is no cure for asthma and allergies, raising awareness is essential as many deaths are preventable with proper treatment and care. As we turn attention toward these serious health concerns and knowing we tend to spend 90% of our time indoors, especially for our kids, we must ask ourselves, “What can we do to make our homes healthier?” The answer is this: there are many actions you can take to clean the “lungs” of your home – by the lungs, we of course mean your HVAC system.
- Using your AC 24/7 helps. Allergies are difficult enough to deal with on their own, and for asthma sufferers, they can trigger a dangerous asthma attack. During peak allergy season, keeping doors and windows closed with the air conditioner running full-time can prevent the triggers from easily entering your home.
- Pre-filters can clean the air better. A quality pre-filter for your air conditioner can be essential in improving indoor air quality for asthma sufferers. These filters must be replaced every month, routinely. Keep in mind the higher the number, the smaller the particles your filter will remove from the air, and the harder your system works to push air through the filter. Your HVAC service provider should be able to recommend a pre-filter best for your HVAC system.
- Consider a media filter. Often referred to as a HEPA filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air), these types of filters go further in removing small particles or floating matter from the air inside your home and have shown to be effective in helping allergy and asthma sufferers.
- Check your ductwork and HVAC system. Air-Specialty, a heating and cooling company and leading proponent of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Alabama and Mississippi, offers a free IAQ Consultation. Take us up on it. Our trained technicians have the tools and ability to access all of your HVAC components and assess their condition and how they’re affecting your IAQ.
- Learn about IAQ products to complement your system. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, Air-Specialty carries a full line of products to improve your indoor air quality, such as dehumidifiers, fresh air ventilators, ultraviolet lights and air purifiers.
- Ask your HVAC partner for advice. An experienced HVAC service provider, like Air-Specialty, stays current on industry practices and emerging technologies to improve your home’s air quality. From updating your entire system to routine maintenance, your HVAC technicians can help improve your IAQ and keep those asthma and allergy-sufferers in your family feeling their best.
Air-Specialty, for over two decades, has been the leading HVAC service provider in Mobile and its surrounding communities. This May while we raise awareness for allergy and asthma, count on our NATE-certified technicians to ensure your indoor air quality is optimal! “You’ll find the quality of our workmanship is second to none,” says co-owner Jerry Anderson. Residents in and around Mobile agree, bringing strong reviews to Air-Specialty on the BBB and Google. Contact us today for a free consultation.