We spend lots of time indoors. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being within a building makes up 90% of our time. Having said that, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outside your home.
That’s because our houses are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so fantastic if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoors ventilation is restricted, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get trapped. As a result, these pollutants can irritate your allergies.
You can boost your indoor air quality with clean air and usual housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms during the time you’re at your residence, an air purifier could be able to provide relief.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have landed on your couch or carpet, it may help clean the air traveling around your home.
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 useful if you or a family member has a lung condition, including emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the distinctions so you can figure out what’s appropriate 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 clean your full residence. Some types can work by themselves when your heating and cooling unit isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Go after a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can find, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more useful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic blend can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the best in air purification, think over a system that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household smells.
Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top component in smog. The EPA warns ozone might irritate respiratory troubles, even when released at minor amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a list of questions to think over when purchasing an air purifier.
- What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A bigger amount means air will be freshened faster.)
- How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I complete that without help?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic advises completing other measures to limit your exposure to problems that can cause seasonal allergies.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high.
- Have other household members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can aggravate symptoms. If you are required to do these chores alone, you might want to consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also rinse off immediately and put on clean clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid drying laundry outdoors.
- Run air conditioning while at your house or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort equipment.
- Equalize your house’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring types for reducing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Want to move forward with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 925-233-6238 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you choose the right equipment for your house and budget.
