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Allergens

Allergens like dust and pet dander are something to sneeze at.

The dust inside your house isn’t just annoying—it can stir up allergy problems. Pet dander, pollen, mold spores and chemicals can also play dirty by causing sneezing, coughing, hives and even more severe health problems. Fortunately, a Healthy Climate® filtration or purification system can capture even the smallest of allergy-aggravating particles.

Q: How can I tell if my home is causing my allergy symptoms? 

A: If your sneezing, sniffling and coughing symptoms are present year round, something in your home could be the culprit. You can start relieving symptoms by minimizing clutter and removing items that collect allergens, like carpeting and moldy wallpaper. A whole-home filtration or purification system will also help control the problem by working with your central heating and cooling system to remove even the smallest airborne allergens.

Q: How do allergens get inside my house? 

A: It’s not just your dog or cat that’s the culprit. Pollen particles can blow into your home through open windows, and they can get tracked inside by people and pets. Damp areas in your home can quickly lead to mold and mildew buildup. Textile fibers from clothing, curtains and other fabrics produce and collect dust.

Q: How can I get rid of allergens? 

A: To keep allergens in check, filtration systems must be able to remove the small particles that pass through most conventional filters. The Healthy Climate® Carbon Clean 16 combines MERV 16 filtration with activated, carbon-coated fibers to dramatically reduce concentrations of airborne particles of all sizes. The HC16 media air cleaner has been top-rated by a leading consumer magazine three consecutive times, and new Carbon Clean technology adds to the effectiveness of this whole-home solution. Another high-performance solution is the HEPA system, which uses hospital-grade filtration to capture 99.97% of tiny, invisible particles from indoor air.

Other ways to minimize allergy symptoms include:

  • Dust regularly using a damp cloth.
  • Go over floors weekly with a HEPA vacuum.
  • Bathe pets frequently.
  • Wash bed linens at least once a week in hot water to kill pollen and dust mites.
  • Remove the source of as many allergens as possible. This includes carpets, stuffed toys, fabric curtains and old clothing.
  • Clean moldy areas and use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from your home’s air.
  • Avoid drying your clothes on an outside line where they can collect pollen.
  • Take off your shoes before you enter your home so you don't track in pollen or other allergens from outside.
  • Avoid using ceiling fans, which can stir up dust and other particles. Instead, keep air circulating throughout your home with a ventilation system.

Q: How is a home air purification system different from a filtration system? 

A: Filtration systems are designed to reduce airborne concentrations of particles and biological pollutants. The PureAir™ air purification system uses hospital-grade filtration and patented photocatalytic oxidation technology to attack particles and germs, plus chemical vapors and home odors. In fact, it's the only single system that can safely remove and destroy chemical vapors, such as tobacco smoke.

Q: How effective are Healthy Climate solutions, compared to room air filters? 

A: Unlike portable units that cover only a single room, Healthy Climate® products work with your central heating and cooling system to remove and destroy contaminants throughout your entire home. So you can count on Healthy Climate® filtration solutions for superior results.

Q: Are all indoor allergens harmful? 

A: Allergens like pet dander, pollen and mold spores are included in the category of indoor air pollutants called "particles," defined as any substance measuring less than 100 microns in diameter. (One micron equals 1/25,000 of an inch in diameter.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that small particles (less than 2.5 microns) are responsible for the health effects of greatest concern. That’s because these invisible contaminants can be inhaled deep into the lungs and move through the bloodstream.

If you or any of your family members have allergies, you could also do well by minimizing contact with chemicals, which are found in common household items like artificial air fresheners and bleach cleaners. Depending on the level present in your home, chemical fumes can prompt an allergic reaction, plus cause headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems.

© 2013 Lennox International Inc.