Does Ventilation Help with Allergies

Almost one in three people in the UK suffer from some kind of allergy.  While Hayfever is one of the most common complaints – affecting 20% of the population - other types of allergic rhinitis, where the cause might be cigarette smoke, dust particles, or other household chemicals affect almost the same number of people, and can cause misery throughout the year, rather than just during the summer months.

Airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mite waste, mould spores, and volatile organic chemicals from cleaning products and household fragrances can irritate the airways of a sufferer, and cause streaming eyes, runny noses, and difficulty breathing.  Depending on the severity of the allergies, quite small quantities of the allergen in the air can be sufficient to cause an attack.

How Ventilation Can Help with Allergies

In most cases, the concentration of the allergens in the air corresponds with the severity of the allergic response.  Pollen can be found in the air throughout the year, but it is only during the summer when the highest levels of pollen are present that most people suffer.

Domestic ventilation can help reduce allergens in a number of different ways.

Preventing Mould

Domestic moulds thrive in damp areas around the home when there is poor airflow that allows the mould spores to grow.  As the mould matures and sheds more spores into the air, they can be inhaled and cause irritation in the airways.

Good ventilation helps to keep humidity levels below the point where condensation can form, and in turn this prevents damp patches from forming where mould will grow.  By removing mould friendly environments, ventilation reduces the concentration of mould spores in the air and reduces exposure.

Filtering Incoming Air

With a positive input ventilation system such as Envirovent’s Atmos, filtered air is drawn into the house at roof level which then displaces the air already in the house.  The air filters on a positive input ventilation system (PIV) are fine enough to catch the pollen grains that cause hayfever.

Another advantage of a positive input ventilation system is that it creates a positive air pressure in the building.  This means that the flow of air is outwards, which means that if windows are opened, pollen and other particulate matter from outdoors is not drawn into the building.

Refreshing the Air

A build up of allergens such as volatile organic compounds or cigarette smoke in the house can make allergies worse.  Good airflow from ventilation systems help to circulate air within a building, which means that concentrations of these allergens are much lower than they might otherwise be.  The “dirty” air is replaced by fresh and clean air from outside the building and carries the allergens outside which means that the air in the home will be easier to breathe.

Find out More

Suffering from allergies can make life miserable, especially during the summer months when the pollen count is at its highest.  Improving the airflow in your home with better ventilation will reduce the presence of many allergens in the air, and also help to prevent condensation and damp that could damage your property.  Our local ventilation specialists can provide advice about the best solution for your needs.  Simply enter your postcode below to find a local expert and book a free home survey.