We spend a good majority of our time indoors. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being indoors accounts for 90% of our schedule. Having said that, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outdoors.
That’s since our houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is insufficient, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get captured. Consequently, these pollutants can worsen your allergies.
You can enhance your indoor air quality with clean air and regular cleaning and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms during the time you’re at your house, an air purifier may be able to provide relief.
While it can’t remove pollutants that have gotten trapped in your couch or flooring, it could help purify the air circulating throughout your house.
And air purification has also been scientifically verified to help lessen some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It can also be useful if you or a loved one has lung trouble, including emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the distinctions so you can learn what’s right for your home.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier works with your heating and cooling unit to clean your full residence. Some kinds can work independent when your home comfort equipment isn’t operating.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and deliver the best filtration you can buy, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more powerful when installed with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic combination can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are standard allergens. For the best in air purification, consider a system that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household odors.
Avoid buying an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the main ingredient in smog. The EPA cautions ozone may irritate respiratory issues, even when discharged at low concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a checklist of questions to consider when getting an air purifier.
- What can this purifier remove from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A higher amount means air will be freshened faster.)
- How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I do that without help?
- How much do spare filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic recommends doing other measures to reduce your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have other household members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you have to do this work on your own, you may want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also rinse off right away and put on new clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid hanging laundry outside your home.
- Run the AC while at home or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your house’s home comfort system.
- Equalize your house’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for reducing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Prepared to move forward with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 239-244-3439 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you find the right equipment for your house and budget.
