We spend a lot of time inside. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being within a building accounts for 90% of our days. Although, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside your home.
That’s due to the fact our houses are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility costs, it’s not so good if you’re amid the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is limited, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get stuck. As a consequence, these pollutants could irritate your allergies.
You can enhance 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 may be able to provide relief.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have landed on your furniture or carpet, it may help freshen the air circulating across your home.
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 could also be useful if you or someone in your household has lung trouble, such as emphysema or COPD.
There are two options, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the distinctions so you can determine what’s appropriate for your house.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier accompanies your HVAC system to treat your entire home. Some kinds can clean on their own when your home comfort system isn’t on.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Go after a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and deliver the greatest filtration you can find, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This mighty blend can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, evaluate a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household odors.
Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top component in smog. The EPA warns ozone could irritate respiratory troubles, even when emitted at small amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a checklist of questions to consider when getting an air purifier.
- What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better amount means air will be cleaned more rapidly.)
- How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I finish that by myself?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic advises completing other steps to limit your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high.
- Have someone else cut the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can aggravate symptoms. If you are required to do these chores yourself, consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and put on new clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid drying laundry outdoors.
- Run your air conditioner while at home or while in the car. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your home’s HVAC equipment.
- Balance your house’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring types for decreasing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Prepared to take the next step with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 862-345-6896 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you find the right unit for your family and budget.
