Indoor Allergens
Sneezing. Coughing. Wheezing. Headaches. It’s that time of year again. Allergy season. Allergies are not just outside, home have indoor allergens too.
While your first inclination may be to move the party indoors until the ragweed is a fading memory, there’s something you need to know. 15% of all American homeowners are allergic to their own homes. That’s right. Unless your home is airtight, there’s a good chance that the sniffling is symptomatic of tiny home invaders. In fact, studies indicate that indoor air pollution is often twice as high as outdoor air pollution; sometimes it’s even higher than that!
Several factors contribute to indoor air pollution. Moisture is a main culprit. Everyone knows that mold spores thrive in damp environments, but did you know that dust mites also prefer moisture-rich homes? Likewise, mildew and bacteria infiltrate areas with high humidity. As these organisms release their cells into the air, they become bioaerosols – living pollutants.
In addition to microscopic offenders, traditional insulation such as fiberglass batting and cellulose provide cozy homes for insects and small rodents whose short life spans can begin and end unnoticed in your attic, in your walls, or beneath your house. These critters contribute to allergy sufferers’ woes as well in the form of shed hair, skin, and other organic matter.
Even tiny leaks in the home – so small that they may not be detected with the naked eye – can contribute to allergen build up in homes. Dust from ducts, for example, and traditional insulation particles pulled through small tears settle on surfaces throughout poorly sealed houses and aggravate allergies.
American spend 90% of their lives indoors; if you live with an allergy sufferer, it’s crucial that you take the steps necessary to create a healthy home environment. The first step is to have a licensed energy consultant perform an energy audit to show you where air leaks exist in your home. Sealing these up will improve air quality, reduce dust and allergens, and make your living conditions much more comfortable.
Spray foam insulation solves several allergy problems at one time. Unlike traditional insulation, spray foam is not a food source or cushy bedding for critters and insects. It also improves moisture management: molds, mildews, and even dust mites will find your home much less hospitable once it’s sealed with spray foam insulation.
If you’ve made the decision to take control of your allergies this year by reducing indoor air pollutants, call Sunlight Contractors and let us come out to give you a free residential energy audit. Our team consists of licensed contractors, certified RESNET raters, and certified BPI building analysts. We’ll give you an honest picture of your home’s current air leakage and provide you with up to date information on how to improve those conditions. Come visit us at sunlightcontractors.com today.
Locations:
Main Office: Sunlight Contractors, LLC 2323 Bainbridge St #110, Kenner, LA 70062 (504) 919-9993
New Orleans location: Sunlight Contractors, LLC 650 Poydras St, Suite 1400, Rm 33, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 302-0058
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