We spend a good majority of our time in our homes. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being inside comprises 90% of our schedule. Having said that, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside.
That’s since our residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so good if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is limited, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get captured. As a consequence, these pollutants could aggravate your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with clean air and regular cleaning 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 eliminate pollutants that have gotten trapped in your couch or carpet, it can help purify the air traveling around your house.
And air purification has also been scientifically confirmed to help reduce some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It might also be useful if you or a family member has lung issues, 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 correct 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 accompanies your heating and cooling unit to purify your complete house. Some kinds can purify independently when your heating and cooling system isn’t on.
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 offer the greatest filtration you can get, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when combined with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful mixture can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the greatest in air purification, think over equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household vapors.
Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top component in smog. The EPA warns ozone might worsen respiratory problems, even when released at low settings.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a list of questions to think over when getting 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 freshened faster.)
- How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced? Can I finish that without help?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to have the top performance from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic advises taking other measures to decrease your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay in your home and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are elevated.
- Have other family members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can irritate symptoms. If you are required to do these jobs alone, you may want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also shower without delay and change your clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid drying laundry outside your home.
- Run your air conditioner while at home or while in the car. Consider installing a high-efficiency air filter in your house’s HVAC equipment.
- Equalize your residence’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for reducing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Ready to take the next step with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 605-206-3915 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you find the right equipment for your home and budget.