We spend a lot of time indoors. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being within a building comprises 90% of our time. However, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outside your home.
That’s because our residences are firmly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not so good if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is insufficient, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get captured. As a consequence, these pollutants may worsen your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with clean air and usual housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms when you’re at home, an air purifier might be able to help.
While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have landed on your furnishings or carpet, it could help clean the air circulating around your house.
And air purification has also been scientifically confirmed to help lower some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It might also be appropriate if you or someone in your household has lung issues, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the distinctions so you can figure out what’s right 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 heating and cooling system to purify your complete house. Some kinds can purify independent when your home comfort equipment isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek a purifier 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 powerful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic blend can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, evaluate a system that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household smells.
Avoid using an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top element in smog. The EPA advises ozone might aggravate respiratory problems, even when discharged at low concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a listing of questions to ask when buying an air purifier.
- What can this purifier remove from the air? What doesn’t it extract?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better amount means air will be freshened more rapidly.)
- How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I do that without help?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic advises doing other procedures to limit your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay in your home and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have other family members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can irritate symptoms. If you must do this work on your own, you may want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also bathe without delay and change your clothes once you’re finished.
- Avoid drying laundry outside your home.
- Use the AC while indoors or while driving. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your home’s home comfort unit.
- Balance your residence’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for decreasing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Want to progress with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 561-270-6228 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you choose the ideal equipment for your family and budget.
