Air Quality

What Are the Best Air Filters for Allergies?

Air Quality
What Are the Best Air Filters for Allergies?

Find out who wins between flat-panels, pleats and whole-house

If you’re sniffling and sneezing your way through allergy season, adding the right air filter to your HVAC system can help improve your home’s air quality and ease your allergy symptoms. But deciding which filter to choose can be just as tricky as finding the right allergy medicine. Here’s what you need to know before you go shopping.

Traditional Fiberglass Filters

These are the flat-panel filters that have been around for years. They don’t look fancy, but they’re affordable and won’t restrict airflow in your HVAC system as much as the others. However, they’re not great at trapping allergens. These filters will capture less than 10% of the pollutants in your home. But if you’re allergies aren’t terrible, it’s a small investment to give these a try first.

Pleated Fiberglass Filter

The pleated filters have a lot more surface area and will filter 45% of allergens in your home — including pollen, dust mites and pet dander. You can even find electrostatic filters made with electrically charged materials that are great at attracting particles. The downside is they’re a little bit more expensive and can restrict airflow in your HVAC system. This means your system will have to work harder and it’ll be hard to save money on energy costs during allergy season. But test one out and see if the thicker filter changes the way your heating and cooling system works.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters

These filters are so good that they remove up to 98% of pollutants in the air, but they’re also so thick that they require an extra fan to push air through the filter. That’s why HEPA filters have to be incorporated into a whole-house filtration system, like the Trane CleanEffects™ Air Cleaner. Filtration systems like this can trap particles down to .1 micron in size. And while these filters have the highest cost, they also the biggest impact on improving allergy symptoms.

Before you make your final decision, compare the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of common filter types. You may pay a little more for a higher CADR, but your sinuses will thank you.

Finally, keep in mind that an air filter is just one part of your allergy battle plan. You’ll have a better chance of wiping out allergies if you use multiple tactics. Try adding some of these simple tips into your routine.

  • Keep pets off of furniture and out of bedrooms. If your pets are outside often, allergens will stick to their fur and they’ll bring those particles indoors with them.
  • Shower before you go to bed to remove any allergens that are on your hair and skin.
  • Wash clothing and linens with super hot water to banish dust mites.
  • Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. A fast way to reduce sniffle-inducing dust and allergens is to vacuum once a day.
  • Keep your windows closed and limit your time outdoors to reduce exposure to pollen and outdoor allergens.
  • Change your air filter once a month
  • Consider a whole-house filtration system for a more robust approach to stopping allergy attacks.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Every allergy sufferer and HVAC system is unique, so you’ll need to see how different filters affect your allergy symptoms and your heating and cooling system’s operation. A little trial and error will help you find the perfect filter for your home (and your nose).

Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

Air Quality
Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

There's more in your indoor air than you can easily see - dust, smoke, pet dander, lint, pollen and other particles.

 

Even though you can’t see these particles, they could be negatively affecting your health.

All of these particles in your air are potential triggers for asthma and allergy attacks. Dust, smoke and bacteria are often .3 microns or less. At that size, allergens can get deep into your lungs because they aren’t filtered well by your nose and throat.

 

Follow these tips to manage allergy and asthma triggers in your home:

    • Control dust mites: Use anti-dust mite covers and wash your sheets in hot water at least once a week.

 

    • Stay smoke-free: Avoid non-ventilated, smoky rooms and second-hand smoke.

 

    • Avoid pet dander: Keep pets off the furniture, out of the bedroom, and if necessary, consider taking the pet out of the home.

 

    • Close doors and windows: Keeping windows and doors shut helps reduce the amount of outdoor pollens, allergens and irritants inside your home.

 

  • Install a whole-house air cleaner: Add an air cleaning system, can help remove airborne particles and allergens too small for your nose and mouth to filter naturally.

How do whole-home air cleaners work to improve indoor air quality?

Step 1

First, the pre-filter traps the large particles that the air in your home circulates through your heating or cooling system.

Step 2

Next, it charges the smaller particles. Since the air passes through many small electrical fields, rather than over a single charged metal wire or plate, more airborne contaminants are collected than in traditional electronic air cleaner systems.

Step 3

Finally, it collects the smallest particles. With each layer of collection elements only .08 inches apart, an air cleaner can trap particles down to .1 micron in size.

To learn more about installing a whole-house air cleaner and improving the air quality in your home, contact a Trane Comfort Specialist™ today.

Why You Should Monitor the Humidity Levels In Your Home

Air Quality
Why You Should Monitor the Humidity Levels In Your Home

Maintaining good air quality in your home is important for the health of your entire family.

Either too much or too little humidity can lead to the rise of unhealthy airborne particulates. The EPA recommends keeping relative humidity inside between 30% and 50%. You can check the levels in your home with a digital humidity meter, or hygrometer, which you can find at most hardware stores.

Water condensation on inside window

What happens if you have too much indoor humidity?

You can tell if your indoor air is too humid if you notice:

    • Condensation on windows
    • Water stains on your fabrics or hardwood floors
    • Stale or musty smells in the furniture or carpet
  • Mold in the bathrooms, basement or under the sink

Molds produce allergens, irritants and sometimes potentially toxic substances. Mildew and dust also thrive in humidity.

Open windows whenever you’re cooking or running the dishwasher to alleviate high levels of humidity. Exhaust fans in your kitchen or bathroom can also help. The easiest way to combat high humidity levels is to turn on your central air conditioner. If that’s still not enough, you might need to invest in a dehumidifier to dry the air.

Explore the types of dehumidifiers

A dehumidifier’s drying capacity is measured by how many pints of water it can remove from the air within 24 hours. You may only need a small dehumidifier to control the moisture in one room or a small apartment. These are relatively inexpensive.

Most portable, single-room dehumidifiers are self-draining and come with a drain-hose connection. You’ll need to place it in an area where the hose can empty water, such as a laundry room sink. Dehumidifiers with large tubs or drip pans can hold more and will need to be emptied less often. Some dehumidifiers use evaporation technology, so a drain hose isn’t required. Another option is installing a whole-home dehumidifier. These connect to your existing ductwork and must be professionally installed.

Design tips to reduce humidity in your home

investing in a home dehumidifier for your new or existing Trane system is one option, but there are also simple design tricks you can use to help reduce your home’s humidity levels. If you’re in the process of redesigning or redecorating your bathroom, consider using mildew-resistant paint and primer. Even if you only use this paint for the lower parts of the walls, it can cover old mildew stains and prevent new spots from developing. You can also swap bathroom rugs for tile floors to prevent mold and mildew from building up.

Add indoor plants to decrease indoor humidity and make your home feel inviting. A peace lily can absorb humidity and toxins through its leaves. Peace lilies only need indirect sunlight to grow, making them ideal houseplants. If you’re looking for a plant that can be hung, the English ivy might be the perfect fit. When they’re hung up high, they absorb the humidity rising in the air, and you don’t have to worry about knocking them over.

A few simple updates can make a big difference when it comes to the quality of your indoor air. Which tips will work best in your home?

Do Air Purifiers Help Allergies and Asthma?

Air Quality
Do Air Purifiers Help Allergies and Asthma?

Learn how they work and what to shop for

Most experts agree that YES, air purifiers can help allergies and asthma. But the level of effectiveness depends on the air purifier you buy. Here are some tips to help you comparison shop and find the right air purifier for your home.

How Air Purifiers Work

An air cleaner’s main job is to filter out allergens and particles that can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. These devices scrub indoor air so it’s free of pollen, dust, mold spores and other particles. Some of these irritants are microscopic, so it’s best to have an air purifier that can handle the tiniest of particles. HEPA filtration is a solid choice for asthmatics because HEPA filters typically remove 98% of pollutants in the air, even ones as small as 0.3 microns.

Air purifiers are great at improving air quality and helping control environmental allergies. The one drawback is that portable air purifiers can only attract airborne particles that are near the device. Which means if your allergy or asthma is severe, you may need to place air purifiers in multiple rooms. An alternative to a portable air cleaner is a whole-home filtration system like the Trane CleanEffects™ Air Cleaner which improves the air quality in your entire home, removes up to 99.98% of airborne irritants and can trap particles down to 0.1 micron in size.

Keep in mind that air purifiers shouldn’t be your only defense against irritating particles. You should take other measures to reduce allergens in your home — like vacuuming daily, keeping windows closed and washing clothes and bedding in hot water.

What to Consider When Shopping for an Air Purifier

When you’re looking for the ideal air purifier for your home, there are several factors to weigh. We recommend you check out product labels to better understand the device’s specifications and read air purifier reviews to find out how the unit rated with testers. Here’s an overview of what to look for:

SIZE: Make sure the air purifier you’re interested in works for your room size. The device’s clean air delivery rate (CADR) should give you an indication of whether or not it can handle your space. CADR measures the cubic feet per minute of clean air delivered and the higher the value, the cleaner the air. If you’re trying to improve air quality in large rooms, look for a higher CADR.

NOISE: Top quality air purifiers have a series of filters that capture particles and return clean air back into the room — which inevitably creates some level of noise. Depending on the model and setting of your unit, sounds can range from a quiet hum to a loud whoosh. If noise is an issue for you, try getting a larger unit — it’ll be effective, efficient and quieter at a lower speed.

FILTER: When you’re thinking about air filters for allergies and asthma, ask these questions:

    • What type of filter is it?

 

    • How easy is it to change the filter?

 

    • How often do you have to change it?

 

  • How much do the filters cost?

If possible, get someone to demonstrate replacing the filter so you can see if it’s difficult. Pro tip — look for YouTube videos! Also, do a quick online search to see how much replacement filters cost for that device.

COST: This factor includes the price of the device AND the cost for the electricity to run it. A good air purifier can be pricey — ranging from $50 to $1000. And if you need multiple devices to clean the air in several rooms, it can get expensive. Plus, the more units you have, the more energy you’ll use.

Before you buy, do a little math to estimate how the unit will impact your electric bill. For example, most HEPA purifiers use 30-250 watts per hour. If you use the purifier 24 hours a day for a year, you’ll pay roughly $39 to $328 annually, using a baseline rate of $0.15 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

OZONE OUTPUT: Be aware that some air purifiers output ozone, which can make asthma worse. It’s important for asthma sufferers to read the product information and look for no or low ozone. The Molekule air purifier has a unique air cleaning process that actually destroys ozone and other contaminants, so this might be a good option to investigate.

AHAM VERIFICATION: You may not have heard of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), but they’ve been keeping an eye on appliance standards since 1967. They verify air cleaners based on the unit’s recommended room size and the CADR rates that are listed on the product packaging. Before you shop, definitely check out their list of AHAM-approved air cleaners.

So, to answer your question — if you have asthma or allergies, adding an air purifier to your clean air routine can be a smart move to ease your symptoms. Searching for the perfect air purifier may seem daunting, but doing your homework will make your sinuses, lungs and wallet very happy.

Does your air conditioner smell? Here’s what it means

Air Quality
Does your air conditioner smell? Here’s what it means

First time using your air conditioner? Find out what odors are normal and when to get expert help.

A musty smell from your air conditioner is normal the first few times you use it each season. However, you shouldn’t ignore it. Some odors are common and some may be a symptom of a more serious problem.

Young man smells something bad and holds his nose
Shutterstock: Andrey_Popov

Dirty sock syndrome (yes this is a thing)

WHAT IT IS: Dirty sock syndrome is that moldy odor you get when you turn on your air conditioner for the first time of the season. As the name suggests, the smell is musty – not unlike a gym locker room – which is how we got the name Dirty Sock Syndrome. After a long period of time without use, mold and bacteria can build up on your evaporator coil or other areas of your HVAC system.

WHAT TO DO: If the smell lingers after repeated use we recommend having your evaporator coil cleaned by a professional. Especially for asthma and allergy sufferers, the mold spores and bacteria that is circulated in the air can cause problems. Other steps you can take include:

  • Check your filters
  • Clean the drain pan
  • Check your ductwork

IS IT DANGEROUS?: Generally no. It’s also possible that the smell is not related to mold – and even if it is, most molds are not dangerous in most cases. It is however annoying and embarrassing and not something you want to let linger throughout the cooling season.

 

Electrical burning smell

WHAT IT IS: :A burning electrical smell could mean you have a problem with the fan or compressor motor.

WHAT TO DO: Get help. An electrical burning smell could be a sign of a serious problem.

Schedule seasonal maintenance

The best way to get the most out of your air conditioner (and avoid unwanted odors and issues) is to have a Trane Comfort Specialist™ inspect and service your heating and cooling system regularly. We recommended:

  • Air Conditioner – Service once a year. Schedule in spring before hot weather arrives.
  • Furnace or heat pump – Service once a year. Schedule in the late summer or fall before cold weather arrives.

How to best prepare for cold and flu season this year

Air Quality
How to best prepare for cold and flu season this year

These days we are all paying more attention to how we can avoid and prevent illness. Heading into cold and flu season is a good time to consider how improving the overall indoor air quality (IAQ) of our homes can help us stay healthy.

The common cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms that can make them difficult to tell apart. The flu is generally worse, causing fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue‚ while a cold is more likely to result in a runny or stuffy nose. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), these types of respiratory infections are a main asthma trigger and can cause severe symptoms such as an asthma episode or attack.

Colds and the flu, although caused by different viruses, spread in the same way: when an ill person coughs or sneezes near you, or if you touch person or a surface with the virus and then touch your mouth nose or eyes.

As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following tips to help decrease your risk:

  • Wash your hands often, for 20 seconds, with soap and water—or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Stay away from people who are sick.

How better indoor air quality can help during cold and flu Season

Since most of us spend about 90% of our time inside, indoor air quality also plays an important role in helping to prevent getting sick with a cold or flu virus. The key factors include:

Managing indoor relative humidity. Let’s face it: There’s nothing nicer than stepping into a cozy, warm house when it’s chilly outside. The challenge, however, is that running your furnace or heat pump also dries out the air in your home. Without getting too deep into the science, it’s easier for viruses to stay airborne longer when the indoor relative humidity is low. That problem is compounded by the fact that our biological defenses (mucous membranes) are at their strongest when relative humidity is between 30%-60%.

As a result, proper humidity levels in your home can greatly reduce the chances of contracting an airborne illness. The best way to control wintertime moisture is by monitoring humidity levels through a reliable smart thermostat such as the Trane ComfortLink® II XL1050 and managing them with a whole home humidifier.

In addition to reducing viruses, humidity helps with hydrating your skin and protecting furniture and floors. The Trane product lineup includes a wide range of solutions that tie into your home’s ductwork system, including steam humidifiers, fan-powered humidifiers, and bypass humidifiers. (For improved indoor humidity control year-round, certain geographies may require a whole home dehumidifier. Contact your Trane Dealer to learn what application is best to maintain comfort in your home.)

Keeping your air clean. While standard air filters remove common irritants like dust, pollen and pet dander, they are not fine enough to remove virus particles. If you want to accomplish that, there are two solutions that can work together to improve your home’s air.

The first is a ventilator, which circulates fresh air into your home and exhausts stale air and indoor air pollutants. Proper ventilation is particularly important for today’s tightly sealed high-efficiency homes. Trane’s inline ventilators help manage temperature and humidity, while energy recovery ventilators also improve ventilation efficiency by retaining heat and moisture from the exhaust air.

The second way to remove viruses, along with other harmful airborne particles, is a whole home electronic air cleaner. Instead of standard filters, electronic air cleaners use electrostatic collection cells to capture particles—and the unique design allows air to continue to flow freely and deliver more clean air to your home.

For example, the Trane CleanEffects® system )—which is certified as asthma and allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America—is proven to remove Influenza A and 99.98% of airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 micron, such as mold spores, allergens, bacteria, and some pollen. For comparison, that makes it eight times more effective than even the best HEPA room filters and up to 100 times more effective than a standard 1-inch filter. In addition to viruses, Trane CleanEffects® reduces the presence of potential asthma and allergy attack triggers in your home, and even decreases the need to dust. Best of all, the system can be easily cleaned and does not require any costly replacement filters.

How pets impact indoor air quality—and ways to improve it

Air Quality
How pets impact indoor air quality—and ways to improve it

About two-thirds of all U.S. households include a pet: More than 63 million with one or more dogs and almost 43 million with cats. On the plus side, our furry family members entertain us with their antics, snuggle on the couch, and play endless games of fetch. On the not-so-plus side, they also have an impact on our home’s floors, furniture, and indoor air quality.

For starters, having a four-legged friend almost always involves extra cleaning chores. In a Trane Residential survey of 2,006 U.S. pet owners conducted in March 2021, 3 out of 4 said that getting a pet prompted them to clean their home more than ever before. (The average amount of time spent cleaning each year? 832 hours!) Preventive maintenance can help keep things neat, with nearly two-thirds of respondents saying they always clean Fido or Fifi’s fur or paws before they’re allowed back inside.

Woof! Meow! Achoo!

In addition to tracking in dirt and shedding messy hair, pets also present a challenge for people with allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), as many as three in 10 people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs. In fact, nearly half of the Trane survey respondents said they have been diagnosed with pet allergies by a medical professional. Not only would they rather put up with the symptoms than get rid of Rover, here’s how committed they are:

  • 45% are willing to deal with sneezing;
  • 28% are willing to suffer from a rash; and
  • 31% would endure muscle aches…

…just to have some extra time with their furry friends!

How to decrease a pet’s impact on your environment and indoor air quality

The truth is, though, that being a pet owner with allergies doesn’t have to mean resigning yourself to suffering—or switching to a fish or reptile that’s not really suitable for cuddling. The AAFA offers several handy suggestions to reduce your family’s exposure to pet dander and other allergens:

  • Remove your pet from the bedroom and clean the area aggressively.
  • Because animal allergens are sticky, it’s important to scrub surfaces clean and keep your home uncluttered.
  • Bare floors and walls are easiest, and you can wash throw rugs in hot water; low-pile carpets are better than thicker options, and frequent steam cleaning can help.
  • When you’re vacuuming, wear a dust mask; even better, use a vacuum with an AAFA-certified asthma & allergy-friendly® filter.
  • If you’ve had prolonged exposure to an animal, change your clothes.

Most importantly,  AAFA suggests adding an air cleaner. Central forced air systems keep our homes comfy, but they also have the potential to transport air particulates. To ensure that your indoor air is as free of pet dander as possible, Trane offers a few different solutions. If your heating and cooling system is compatible, a Trane Envirowise Quikbox air filter may be a good fit for improving indoor air quality. Equipped with a MERV 11 filter, Quikbox has a high-efficiency removal rate that’s up to 20 times more effective than a standard 1” filter.

For the next step up in air cleaning effectiveness, the Trane CleanEffects Whole-Home Air Cleaner removes up to 99.98% of all airborne particles—including pet dander and other allergens, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, pollens, and more—without overly restricting airflow to your home. It’s 8 times more effective than even the best HEPA room filters and up to 100 times more effective than a standard 1-inch filter. In addition to being certified as asthma & allergy friendly® by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, CleanEffects is easy to clean and doesn’t require any costly replacement filters.

Unfortunately, washing your pet regularly only has a temporary effect in removing airborne allergens. But make the effort to take some or all of the steps above, and you’ll be able to enjoy more exposure to your fur baby—without worrying quite so much about sneezing, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms.

How to Test the Air Quality in Your Home

Air Quality
How to Test the Air Quality in Your Home

Take a look at DIY tests and know when to call a pro

Curious about the air quality in your house? Wondering what’s the best way to test, monitor, and improve it? Look no further. Here are some of the obvious signs that point to poor air quality, several ways to find out what funky stuff is floating around in your home, and even an easy way to control it automatically.

Signs You Should Test Your Air Quality

If you have any health symptoms like chronic allergies and asthma, frequent headaches, bronchitis or colds that last an unusually long time, your body may be feeling the effects of pollutants in your home. And those airborne irritants could be anything from gas fumes to pet dander to mold that you can’t even see.

Sometimes the contaminants are more extreme, such as hazardous chemicals and asbestos. If you notice severe symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, rash, fever, chills, fatigue, vomiting or shortness of breath, you definitely need to have your air quality tested.

Automate Air Quality Monitoring and Control

One of the easiest ways to address indoor air comfort and safety is to install an Awair Element: an intuitive, easy-to-use device that allows you to automatically monitor your indoor air quality (IAQ). Using a fan and laser sensor, Awair Element tracks five air quality factors that can impact your health, comfort and productivity, including temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and microscopic particulate matter (PM2.5) from cooking, wildfires or vehicle traffic.

The Awair Element platform recently integrated with the new Trane Home app, allowing a Trane HVAC system to automatically take action if levels fall below ideal conditions for a user’s personal settings. You can also use voice-activated commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Home. In addition, if you also opt in to Trane Diagnostics, Trane independent dealers can see the Awair readout, alongside the HVAC system data, so they can better troubleshoot issues and provide expert recommendations for solving indoor air quality issues in your home.

Two More Air Quality Tests to Consider

To address other potentially harmful air quality issues, you might consider testing for two more contaminants:

  1. Carbon Monoxide
    Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that comes from the fumes of gas
    appliances like stoves, ovens, grills, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters. When carbon monoxide leaks and builds up, it can poison the people and animals breathing it in your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes flulike symptoms that can make you pass out and even kill you. Fortunately, installing carbon monoxide detectors to measure the levels in your home and alert you of problems is an easy way to protect yourself and your family.
  2. Radon
    Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, so testing your home for this contaminant is a smart move. It’s a radioactive gas that naturally occurs as uranium breaks down in the soil and it can seep into your home and silently poison you. The good news is that if you find high radon levels from testing, you can do some simple home renovations to seal and caulk foundation cracks and reduce radon exposure. You can purchase at-home radon tests at most home improvement stores or you can get discounted kits from the National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University. Tests typically use a charcoal reading that is collected in your home over a specific period of time. Then you mail the testing materials to a lab get your results.

When to Call a Professional

If you are experiencing health symptoms that may be related to bad air or you just want to play it extra safe, call a professional to test your home’s air quality. They’ll be able to run several tests at once and they know exactly what to look for when inspecting your home for potential danger zones. They can also help you figure out a game plan to improve the air quality in your home.

Here are some of the contaminants a pro can test for:

  • Indoor mold
  • Lead-based paint
  • Dust particles and other allergens
  • Smoke-related air pollution
  • Toxic chemicals
  • Combustion particles or gases
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