We spend a lot of time in our homes. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being within a building makes up 90% of our days. Although, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outdoors.
That’s since our residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bills, it’s not so good if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is limited, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get stuck. As a result, these pollutants might worsen your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with crisp air and regular housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms while you’re at your residence, an air purifier may be able to provide relief.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have gotten trapped in your furnishings or carpeting, it might help freshen the air traveling around 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 helpful if you or someone in your household has a lung condition, including 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 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 accompanies your HVAC unit to purify your complete home. Some kinds can clean independent when your HVAC unit isn’t operating.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and deliver the greatest filtration you can find, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more powerful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful mixture can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, consider a system that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household vapors.
Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the primary component in smog. The EPA warns ozone might worsen respiratory issues, even when released at small settings.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a checklist of questions to consider when buying an air purifier.
- What can this purifier remove from the air? What doesn’t it take out?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A higher figure means air will be freshened faster.)
- How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I complete that without help?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic recommends doing other measures to decrease your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can irritate symptoms. If you have to do these chores on your own, you might want to consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also rinse off without delay and change your clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid drying laundry outside your home.
- Use your air conditioner while at home or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s heating and cooling unit.
- Even out your home’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring materials for decreasing indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities
Ready to take the next step with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 304-707-0600 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you locate the right unit for your residence and budget.