Is There a Link Between Energy Efficient Homes and Asthma?

Any home can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms if indoor air quality is poor.

If you suffer from asthma—especially allergic asthma that can be triggered by mold, pollen, dust, and other airborne contaminants—you obviously need to pay attention to the indoor air quality in your home so that you can breathe comfortably and hopefully reduce the frequency of your asthma attacks.

While everyone agrees on the importance of indoor air quality, opinions differ on how to get it. Some people will try to tell you that energy efficient homes are actually bad for asthma and allergy sufferers, while others will insist that it is older homes that are the riskiest.

The reality is…

…any home may have hazards that could trigger or worsen allergic asthma.

The Problem with Energy Efficient Homes

The problem with energy efficient homes is that they often lack proper ventilation. Without this ventilation, and with fewer air leaks thanks to the energy efficient construction, there is very little air circulation and all kinds of allergens can become trapped in the home. This includes common indoor allergens like dust, pet dander, and mold as well as outdoor allergens like pollen that may be brought into the home on your shoes and clothing.

Common Problems in Older Homes

Older homes do tend to breathe better than new, tightly sealed, energy efficient ones. But this does not mean that they are healthier for allergy and asthma sufferers. One common problem in an older home is duct leakage. Because the air ducts are not insulated, they may have gaps that can allow dusty, dirty air from the basement, attic, or crawl space to get into the air system and circulate into your living space. Another problem with buildings that are not tightly sealed is that wherever air can go, moisture from humid air can go too. This can lead to mold growth and serious reactions to mold spores.

Feel Better With Help from the Pros

If you believe poor indoor air quality is causing or worsening your allergic symptoms or asthma attacks, you need to take action now to find relief. You’ll need help from two professionals—an HVAC contractor and your allergy doctor.

Your contractor can help identify and correct ventilation issues to improve your indoor air quality, and at Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Medical Group we can provide allergy and asthma testing and treatment to help manage your symptoms. Call now to make your appointment with one of our caring allergy doctors.