We all want to step outside and smell the fresh air, but all too often, pollution hangs heavy and we choose to stay indoors. If you think allergies, asthma, and respiratory symptoms are aggravated by outdoor air alone, you’d be wrong. Indoor air can be much dirtier and leave you and your family’s health at risk.

Outdoor air is polluted with emissions from motor vehicles and manufacturing. This puts carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide into the atmosphere. A strong breeze might be welcome on a hot summer day, but it can bring with it particulate matter from dust and pollen from plants. Ozone is also a pollutant, called a free radical, that can damage your lungs and cause respiratory symptoms.

It may seem important to keep these pollutants out of your home, but in fact, the air in your home is dirtier than the air outside. Not only do you have general pollutants, but indoor air is mixed with chemicals, trapped allergens, viruses, bacteria, and mold in your home and your air quality suffers. Not only that, but research suggests people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, meaning you are exposed to these pollutants the majority of the time.

Couple this with poor ventilation and the level of contamination will rise significantly.

Dirty air can lead to a myriad of health issues. Asthma and other respiratory symptoms flaring up is only the beginning. Airborne viruses and bacteria can travel through air ducts and spread to multiple family members. Mold spores can trigger difficulty breathing and dust, pollen, and other allergens can cause itchy, watery eyes. Long-term effects of polluted air can lead to respiratory diseases and even cancer.

There is good news! There are many steps you can take to reduce pollutants in your home and keep your family healthy and safe. Air duct cleaning is a good start, but for continued protection consider these HVAC accessories.

HEPA Air Filter

We all have air filters, but it may be time for an upgrade. Moving to a HEPA Air Filter is a great choice for people with allergies. These filters have to trap 99.97% of air pollutants to be HEPA certified by the Department of Energy. Dust, pollen, smoke, mold and more are captured by these filters before they ever reach your ducts.

Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO)

How do you know something is clean? It both looks and smells clean. When you choose a Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO) unit, you are getting both clean and smell free air for your home. If your home frequently has odors from smoke, pets, cooking or mold this is the best option for you. This machine is easily affixed to your HVAC unit and requires little maintenance to maintain. It harnesses ultraviolet light to reduce airborne bacteria, viruses, fungi, VOCs, and odors. Ultraviolet (UV) Air Cleaner: Hospitals and labs use UV light for sterilization because it irradiates mold, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Additionally, this easy-to-install machine helps prevent the growth of biofilm on your HVAC unit’s evaporation coil.

Cleaner air and healthier living are possible with help from Sears. Our air filtering products reduce dust and airborne allergens to leave you with cleaner air, fewer illnesses, and better breathing. Call 866-364-9004 today to learn more about our services and products!

Or head online to www.searsclean.com/AsthmaAllergies.aspx to learn more.