By Guest While many allergy sufferers will try to avoid the great outdoors this spring when pollen and mold counts begin to increase, the reality is that the great indoors may not provide much relief either. According to the EPA, the air inside a home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. The culprit: limited air circulation combined with a buildup of household chemicals, pet dander, dust, and cooking odors among other irritants. You can avoid both outdoor and indoor allergens this spring with some tips for tackling the worst rooms for indoor allergies by Victor Gonzalez-Maertens, a certified indoor environmentalist with Lennox, who suggests the following room-by-room “allergy-proof” tactics. The Kitchen: Cook Up But Clear Out. When preparing a meal, the kitchen can become filled with cooking fumes that can irritate the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. While most conventional venting hoods will filter the air, installing a vented exhaust fan will move the irritating fumes outside the home and help reduce moisture. The Living Room: Don’t Let Dust Get Too Comfortable. To keep dust to a minimum and sneezes under control, vacuum the living room floor and other carpeted areas, as well as upholstered furniture, every week. Gonzalez-Maertens also recommends installing a whole-home air purification system , which can eliminate s mall, breathable particles such as dust, dirt, pollen and allergens; as well as airborne mold spores, bacteria and viruses; and odors and chemical vapors. The Bathroom: Air It Out. Where there’s moisture, there’s the potential for mold growth. Combine the mold growth with the aerosol sprays and other personal care products that most Americans use in the bathroom, and Gonzalez-Maertens says you have a recipe for an allergy attack. To keep the sneezing at bay, install a vented exhaust fan

to help remove moisture when taking baths or showers; towel dry the shower or tub after use; and place washable rugs in the bathroom instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. The Bedroom: Give Your Pooch Its Own Pad. While Fido may like to curl up in bed with you, he may be leaving unwanted animal hair that can trigger allergies. Give the pooch its own pad, and be sure to wash sheets and pillowcases at least once a week in hot water to prevent the build-up of allergy inducing dust mites – microscopic bugs that primarily live on dead skin cells regularly shed from humans and their pets. The Basement: Minimize the Moisture. Humidity and condensation in the basement also can create the perfect environment for mold growth. Be sure to regularly check for and repair sources of leaks and/or water damage that contribute to mold and mildew and avoid laying carpeting. If the basement serves as the laundry room, be sure to properly vent the clothes dryer to keep moisture outside. Installing a dehumidification system can also help reduce dampness. About Lennox Industries Lennox Industries is a leading provider of customized home heating, cooling and indoor air quality products that are designed to deliver customized comfort, efficiency and functionality, with the most innovative and reliable features available. Lennox is also the first heating and air conditioning manufacturer to harness solar energy for central heating and cooling – and beyond. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have selected Lennox as an ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year four out of six years for its outstanding contribution to developing and promoting energy-efficient products. For more information about Lennox home comfort products, visit www.Lennox.com or call 1-800-9-LENNOX.

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Worst Rooms for Indoor Allergies