This has been one of the coldest winters I can remember! Living in Southern California means that while we can still get cold, rainy weather during this time of year, it is not uncommon to see temperatures in the 80s, much like it was last week. The sometimes dramatic changes in weather aren’t always great for my seasonal allergies and we’ve been suffering through the sneezes and sniffles over the past week.
In a household where 3 out of the four of us suffer from allergies, I’m always looking for ways to keep our home healthy, particularly during the winter months when we spend a lot of time indoors. If you’ve read any of my previous articles on indoor air, you might remember that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than those outdoors. It is a prominent environmental health concern, but there are some easy steps families can take to “clean up” indoor air.
During the Spring and Fall months, it’s easy to simply open a window. The challenge is when our temperatures rise into the triple digits during the summer or drop to the 30’s in the winter. It is during the summer and winter months that our energy consumption rises. Since it is during those times when our heating or cooling system is used the most, it makes sense to change the filters regularly. We like to get into the habit of changing them quarterly to help ensure that the air we are breathing is clean and free from dust, allergens, and microorganisms.
This year, I’ve joined Filtrete’s Healthy Home Club where I will be sharing tips and information on maintaining a healthy home, specifically as that relates to Filtrete’s air filters which are available for home heating and cooling systems. Filtrete Filters can help improve indoor air and contribute to a healthy home by capturing airborne dust, allergens, bacteria, and viruses. For just a few dollars every 3 months, these filters also help maintain airflow in heating and cooling systems which may help prevent stress on the system and reduce the amount of energy necessary to heat or cool the home.
If someone in your home suffers from allergies, you may want to consider Filtrete’s Ultimate Allergen Reduction Filter, which can capture up to 93 percent of large airborne particles (i.e. dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mite debris) and 4 times as many microscopic particles (i.e. smoke, smog, pet dander, bacteria, viruses). This is the filter we will be using in our home as a replacement to our old filter and it is available for $19.99. Note: Through December 31st, 2013, you can download a $3 mail-in rebate when you purchase a Filtrete Air Cleaning Filter with an MPR of 1000 or more.
In addition to opening windows during the warmer months and changing our air filters quarterly (every 3 months), we strive to ensure we are not contributing to indoor air pollution through the chemicals we use in our home. All of the cleaning products we use are made with natural, sustainable ingredients and we avoid any type of air fresheners or candles. Instead, we use a room air purifier to help reduce odors when necessary.
Do you want a healthy home? Filtrete has partnered with HGTV contractor Mike Holmes on the Filtrete Healthy Home Remodel Contest where one grand-prize winner will receive $30,000 in home inspections, repairs, and renovations. Four first-prize winners will receive $5,000 towards home repairs. To enter, visit Filtrete on Facebook and tell them why your home deserves a healthier home remodel before June 30, 2013.
Fore more information about Filtrete’s air filters or to find the filter that is right for your home, visit FindMyFiltreteFilter.com. You can also follow the brand on Twitter @Filtrete or sign up for their seasonal newsletter online which offers healthier home living tips, filter change reminders, and special offers.
This is part of a compensated campaign with Filtrete. All opinions are solely that of the author.
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