We spend a good majority of our time indoors. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being inside comprises 90% of our days. However, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outdoors.
That’s since our homes are firmly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re amid the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is limited, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can get trapped. Consequently, these pollutants could aggravate your allergies.
You can boost your indoor air quality with crisp air and regular cleaning 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 assistance.
While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have gotten trapped in your furnishings or carpet, it could help clean the air moving throughout 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 may also be useful if you or someone in your household has a lung condition, like 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 figure out what’s right 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 heating and cooling unit to treat your complete residence. Some kinds can clean on their own when your home comfort unit isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can buy, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when installed with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful combination can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are standard allergens. For the greatest in air purification, consider a system that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household odors.
Avoid buying an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the top component in smog. The EPA warns ozone might irritate respiratory troubles, even when released at small settings.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a listing of questions to ask when purchasing an air purifier.
- What can this purifier take out from the air? What doesn’t it extract?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A bigger figure means air will be purified faster.)
- How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I do that by myself?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic suggests taking other measures to reduce your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay in your home and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high.
- Have other family members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can worsen symptoms. If you are required to do these chores alone, you may want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also bathe right away and put on new clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid drying laundry outside.
- Turn on the AC while at your house or while in the car. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your home’s heating and cooling system.
- Even out your house’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for lowering indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities
Prepared to take the next step with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 703-595-4157 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you find the right equipment for your family and budget.