Do you suffer from allergies? Does it feel like each day is a battle where you’re constantly trying to avoid your triggers and control your allergies? Allergies can cause itchy watery eyes, a runny nose, itchy skin, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sneezing and more. For some people, the symptoms can be mild, whereas for others, they can have a much more pronounced impact on their daily life. If you’re looking for ways to calm your allergies, and potentially prevent them from flaring up, then underfloor heating is something that you may want to consider.
Underfloor heating can feel luxurious and comforting during those cold winter months, but did you know it also provides a benefit to allergy sufferers? Let’s take a closer look.
Drastically Reduces the Number of Dust Mites
The first way that underfloor heating can prove to be better for allergy sufferers is thanks to the way it works. Because you are heating the floor, which then radiates up into the room, you’re not blowing, sucking or circulating air in the room like a traditional heating system. This means you’re not disturbing or blowing dust mites around the home. Dust mites are one of the top triggers for allergy sufferers, so reducing them will have a huge effect.
There’s also the fact that dust mites love warm places to live – which are radiators. This traditional form of home heating often ends up being a breeding ground for pesky microscopic creatures. You then turn on the radiator and suddenly all those mites are blown throughout the room. In general, you can expect to reduce dust mites in that room by around 80% simply by installing underfloor heating.
You Can Rip Out the Carpeting
If you have carpeting in your home because you like how warm and comfortable it is on your feet, underfloor heating can be the excuse you needed to rip it out and choose a hard surface instead. It will still feel warm thanks to the heating system, but now you’ll have flooring that doesn’t harbour allergens, unlike carpet. Learn more about the flooring that works with this type of heating system by checking out electrical wholesalers.
While carpeting may look lovely, unfortunately it acts as a magnet to a wide array of allergens, and even with vacuuming, you’re unable to get it all.
The Air in Your Home Won’t be As Dry
Perhaps you’ve noticed that the air in your home being quite dry in the winter months? This is a common problem that homeowners have, and it can end up leading to even more discomfort for those with allergies and/or asthma. It can dry out your eyes, nose and throat, which may already be flared up. You’ll then need to add moisture back into the air, which not everyone realizes, in the form of a humidifier.
This is where underfloor heating has the upper hand again, as it won’t dry out the air. Your home will be able to retain a comfortable level of moisture in the air, thereby not worsening any symptoms you may be experiencing.
If you suffer with allergies year round, underfloor heating may be the perfect solution.
Annalise O'Conner
Annalise O'Conner is a Registered Dietitian and Personalized Nutritionist. She is a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching nutrition in the School of Public Health and APAN (Asian Pacific Islander American Network) Email: [email protected]
