We spend a good majority of our time indoors. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being inside accounts for 90% of our schedule. However, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outdoors.
That’s because our homes are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility bills, it’s not so great if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is limited, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get captured. As a consequence, these pollutants may aggravate your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with fresh air and usual dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms when you’re at your residence, an air purifier could be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have gotten trapped in your furnishings or carpet, it could help purify the air traveling throughout your residence.
And air purification has also been scientifically confirmed to help reduce some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It might also be helpful if you or a loved one has a lung condition, including emphysema or COPD.
There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the advantages 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 lone room. A whole-house air purifier works alongside your HVAC system to clean your entire house. Some kinds can work on their own when your heating and cooling equipment isn’t operating.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can find, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more powerful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful blend can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the greatest in air purification, think over a system that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household vapors.
Avoid getting an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the top element in smog. The EPA advises ozone may aggravate respiratory problems, even when discharged at minor amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a list of questions to consider when getting 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 number means air will be freshened more quickly.)
- How often 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 Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic suggests doing other steps to limit your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are high.
- Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can worsen symptoms. If you have to do these chores alone, you might want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower without delay and put on clean clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid hanging laundry outdoors.
- Use air conditioning while at your house or while you’re on the road. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your home’s heating and cooling equipment.
- Even out your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring kinds for lowering indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities
Ready to move forward with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 724-401-1843 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you choose the best equipment for your home and budget.