We spend a good majority of our time in our homes. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being indoors makes up 90% of our days. Having said that, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outdoors.
That’s due to the fact our homes are firmly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not so good if you’re amid the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is insufficient, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get trapped. As a consequence, these pollutants could aggravate your allergies.
You can boost your indoor air quality with fresh air and usual dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms while you’re at your house, an air purifier could be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have settled on your couch or carpet, it can help freshen the air traveling around your house.
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 could also be helpful if you or a loved one has a lung condition, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the distinctions so you can learn what’s right for your house.
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 home comfort system to treat your full residence. Some types can purify on their own when your HVAC equipment isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and provide the most comprehensive filtration you can find, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more useful when combined with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic combination can destroy 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 primary ingredient in smog. The EPA advises ozone might worsen respiratory troubles, even when released at minor amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a listing of questions to ask when purchasing an air purifier.
- What can this purifier take out from the air? What doesn’t it take out?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better amount means air will be purified more quickly.)
- How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I complete that without help?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic suggests completing other procedures to limit your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are elevated.
- Have other household members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can worsen symptoms. If you are required to do these chores on your own, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower right away and put on new clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid stringing up laundry outside your home.
- Turn on air conditioning while indoors or while driving. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your house’s HVAC system.
- Balance your residence’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring kinds for reducing indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Ready to take the next step with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 949-204-0859 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you find the right system for your family and budget.