We spend a lot of time inside. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being within a building accounts for 90% of our schedule. Having said that, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside your home.
That’s because our residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bills, it’s not so good if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is limited, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get trapped. As a consequence, these pollutants might aggravate your allergies.
You can enhance your indoor air quality with clean air and usual dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms when you’re at home, an air purifier may be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have settled on your furniture or carpeting, it can help clean the air traveling throughout your residence.
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 could also be appropriate if you or a family member has lung trouble, including emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll go over the distinctions so you can learn 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 accompanies your HVAC system to clean your complete house. Some kinds can purify on their own when your HVAC unit 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 offer the most comprehensive filtration you can buy, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful combination can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, think over a system that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household odors.
Avoid buying an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the primary element in smog. The EPA warns ozone could aggravate respiratory troubles, even when discharged at minor concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a listing of questions to consider 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 amount means air will be cleaned more quickly.)
- How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I finish that on my own?
- How much do spare filters or bulbs cost?
How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic recommends completing other steps to limit your exposure to problems that can cause seasonal allergies.
- Stay in your home and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are elevated.
- Have other family members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you have to do this work on your own, you might want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also rinse off immediately and put on new clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid drying laundry outdoors.
- Turn on air conditioning while at home or while driving. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort system.
- Equalize your home’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring types for reducing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Prepared to take the next step with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 732-806-5536 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you find the best system for your residence and budget.