We spend lots of time in our homes. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being indoors makes up 90% of our time. Having said that, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outdoors.
That’s because our residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so great if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is insufficient, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get stuck. As a consequence, these pollutants may irritate your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with fresh air and usual housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms during the time you’re at home, an air purifier could be able to provide relief.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have settled on your furnishings or carpeting, it may help clean the air circulating around your home.
And air purification has also been scientifically verified to help reduce some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It can also be helpful if you or someone in your household has a lung condition, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the differences so you can figure out what’s correct for your house.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for a single room. A whole-house air purifier works with your home comfort equipment to purify your entire home. Some types can work by themselves when your heating and cooling equipment isn’t on.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and deliver the greatest filtration you can find, as they catch 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful blend can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the greatest in air purification, evaluate a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household vapors.
Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top element in smog. The EPA warns ozone could worsen respiratory troubles, even when emitted at small amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a list of questions to think over 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 higher figure means air will be purified more quickly.)
- How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I do that on my own?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic advises taking other steps to decrease your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high.
- Have other household members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can trigger symptoms. If you are required to do these jobs on your own, you may want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also rinse off immediately and change your clothes once you’re finished.
- Avoid hanging laundry outside your home.
- Run air conditioning while at your house 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 suggested flooring materials for lowering indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Prepared to progress with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 561-533-6066 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your home and budget.