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How to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Allergy Sufferers

October 13, 2025 By: One Way Heating & Cooling

If you suffer from allergies, your home should be your sanctuary—not a source of discomfort. Yet for millions of Americans, indoor air is filled with pollutants that aggravate allergy symptoms year-round. Dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, and airborne chemicals can all collect and circulate within your home, creating a less-than-healthy environment.

The quality of your indoor air plays a major role in your health, comfort, and energy. When allergens are trapped indoors without proper filtration or ventilation, they can cause sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion, itchy eyes, or worse. Poor air quality may even trigger more serious issues like asthma attacks or chronic respiratory conditions.

At One Way Heating and Cooling, we specialize in improving the air you breathe every day. Whether you're dealing with seasonal allergies, pet dander, or a dusty HVAC system, we’re here to help. Below, we’ll break down the top ways you can improve your indoor air quality and make your home an allergy-friendly space.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters for Allergy Sufferers

Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the condition and cleanliness of the air within your home. According to the EPA, indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air due to poor ventilation and constant re-circulation of airborne particles.

Common indoor allergens include:

  • Dust mites that live in bedding, carpets, and furniture

  • Pet dander from cats, dogs, and other animals

  • Mold spores growing in damp or humid areas

  • Pollen that enters through doors, windows, and clothing

  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, paints, and furniture

Allergy sufferers are particularly sensitive to these particles. When inhaled, allergens can trigger symptoms like inflammation of the nasal passages, itchy throat, watery eyes, and even skin irritation. Improving IAQ reduces these symptoms and supports better overall wellness.

Upgrade to High-Performance HVAC Filters

Your home’s HVAC system plays a critical role in managing indoor air quality. Standard HVAC filters are designed to protect the equipment—not your lungs. Many cheap, fiberglass filters only trap larger particles like lint and dust, allowing smaller allergens to pass through and recirculate in your home.

Upgrading to a high-efficiency filter with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating between 11 and 13 can significantly reduce the number of allergens in your indoor air. If you're especially sensitive to allergens, you may benefit from a filter with a HEPA rating, which captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including pollen, mold spores, and pet dander.

Just as important as the type of filter is how often you change it. Dirty filters lose their effectiveness and can actually worsen indoor air quality by allowing trapped allergens to be released back into the air. We recommend checking filters monthly and replacing them every 60 to 90 days—or more frequently if you have pets, allergies, or live in a high-pollen area.

Balance Humidity to Minimize Allergen Growth

Humidity is another key factor in allergy management. Dust mites and mold both thrive in moist environments. If the relative humidity in your home consistently exceeds 50%, you’re creating an ideal environment for these allergens to grow.

To keep humidity in check, use a dehumidifier in areas like basements, bathrooms, or laundry rooms where moisture tends to accumulate. On the other hand, if your home becomes too dry—especially during winter months—your sinuses can dry out, making you more sensitive to allergens. A whole-home humidifier can maintain balanced humidity and protect both your respiratory system and your wood furnishings.

The optimal indoor humidity range for allergy control is between 30% and 50%. Many smart thermostats and HVAC systems now offer built-in humidity sensors, allowing for easy monitoring and adjustment. An HVAC professional can also install dedicated humidity control systems directly into your heating and cooling equipment.

Whole-Home Air Purification Solutions

While portable air purifiers are popular, they only clean the air in the room where they’re placed. A better solution for long-term allergy relief is a whole-home air purifier, which integrates into your HVAC system and treats all the air flowing through your ducts.

There are several types of air purification technologies available:

  • HEPA filtration systems remove fine particles including pollen, smoke, and pet dander

  • Activated carbon filters absorb gases, odors, and VOCs from paint, furniture, and cleaning supplies

  • UV light purifiers use ultraviolet radiation to destroy mold, bacteria, and viruses

  • Ionization systems electrically charge particles, causing them to clump together and be more easily captured by filters

A whole-home air purification system offers a layered defense against airborne allergens and creates a consistently healthier indoor environment for your entire household.

Improve Airflow and Ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality. In tightly sealed modern homes, fresh air doesn't flow in as easily, and airborne particles and gases become trapped.

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) are two excellent options for allergy sufferers. These systems bring in filtered outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air—without sacrificing energy efficiency. They also help balance humidity and reduce the buildup of allergens, carbon dioxide, and VOCs indoors.

In addition to mechanical systems, simple habits can improve ventilation. Run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to remove moisture and pollutants. On days with low pollen counts, opening windows for even a few minutes can help air out your home.

Schedule Regular Duct Cleaning and Sealing

Your HVAC ducts distribute air throughout your home. Over time, they can accumulate layers of dust, allergens, mold, and debris—especially if they haven’t been cleaned or sealed properly.

Having your ductwork professionally cleaned every 3 to 5 years can significantly reduce allergens circulating in your home. This is especially important if you’ve recently completed a home renovation, moved into a previously owned home, or noticed visible dust or mold around vents.

Duct sealing is another overlooked but important service. Leaky ducts can pull in allergens from attics, basements, or crawlspaces and distribute them through your living areas. Properly sealed ducts ensure that only filtered, conditioned air reaches your rooms.

Keep Your HVAC System Maintained

Like any complex system, your HVAC equipment requires regular maintenance to perform efficiently. A neglected unit can become a source of allergens due to dirty coils, clogged filters, or water leaks that lead to mold.

Routine HVAC tune-ups include:

  • Cleaning condenser coils and evaporator coils

  • Flushing drain lines to prevent mold growth

  • Inspecting air filters and replacing them as needed

  • Checking airflow and making adjustments

  • Ensuring proper thermostat operation

Preventative maintenance ensures your system is running cleanly and efficiently, preventing the buildup of allergens and reducing your overall energy bills.

We recommend scheduling maintenance at least twice a year—once in the spring before cooling season and again in the fall before heating season.

Minimize Allergen Sources at the Source

Even with a top-notch HVAC system, your daily habits matter. Reducing allergens at the source is a foundational part of improving IAQ.

Some steps you can take:

  • Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and vacuum carpets, upholstery, and rugs often

  • Wash bedding, curtains, and pet blankets weekly in hot water

  • Replace carpets with hardwood or laminate flooring where possible

  • Keep windows closed during high-pollen seasons

  • Avoid scented candles and air fresheners, which release VOCs into the air

  • Choose low-VOC paints, furniture, and building materials

Pet owners should also take extra precautions. Groom pets regularly, keep them out of bedrooms, and clean their bedding and toys often. Consider installing a zoned HVAC system that separates air distribution between rooms to reduce the spread of pet dander.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat with IAQ Features

Smart thermostats do more than control your temperature. Many now integrate with indoor air quality sensors, alert you when your filter needs to be changed, and can automatically run your HVAC fan to circulate and filter air when allergen levels rise.

Some systems even track humidity levels and allow you to remotely activate air purifiers or ventilation systems, giving you real-time control over your indoor environment. These upgrades make it easier to stay proactive about your home’s air quality and reduce allergy triggers.

Create a Healthier Home with Clean Air

Improving indoor air quality is one of the most effective ways to reduce allergy symptoms and protect your health. From upgrading your HVAC filters to installing whole-home purifiers and managing humidity, there are multiple strategies to create a cleaner, more breathable home.

When you're ready to take control of the air you breathe, One Way Heating and Cooling is here to help. Our team provides expert consultations, HVAC upgrades, and maintenance services designed to improve your home’s air quality from the inside out.

Start with a professional indoor air quality assessment and see the difference clean air can make. Whether you're battling seasonal allergies or chronic respiratory issues, we’ll help you design a custom solution that fits your home and your needs.

Contact One Way Heating and Cooling today to schedule your indoor air quality inspection and take the first step toward allergy relief. Clean air starts here.