We spend lots of time in our homes. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being indoors makes up 90% of our schedule. However, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside your home.
That’s due to the fact our residences are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re amid the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is restricted, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get stuck. Consequently, these pollutants could worsen your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with fresh air and routine housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms during the time you’re at your house, an air purifier might be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have settled on your furnishings or flooring, it could help purify the air moving throughout your home.
And air purification has also been scientifically proven to help lessen some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It can also be useful if you or someone in your household has lung issues, including emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the differences so you can figure out what’s appropriate for your home.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for a single room. A whole-house air purifier works alongside your HVAC equipment to treat your full house. Some types can clean on their own when your home comfort system isn’t operating.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and provide the most comprehensive filtration you can get, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic mixture can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the greatest in air purification, consider a system that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household vapors.
Avoid using an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top element in smog. The EPA cautions ozone may aggravate respiratory problems, even when emitted at minor concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a checklist of questions to ask when purchasing an air purifier.
- What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better amount means air will be freshened more quickly.)
- How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I complete that without help?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic suggests taking other measures to reduce your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay inside and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are high.
- Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can irritate symptoms. If you are required to do these jobs alone, you might want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower without delay and put on clean clothes once you’re finished.
- Avoid stringing up laundry outside your home.
- Run the AC while at home or while in the car. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your home’s heating and cooling system.
- Balance your home’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring materials for reducing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities
Want to take the next step with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 940-202-1184 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your home and budget.
