We spend a lot of time in our homes. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being within a building accounts for 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 residences are firmly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not so good if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is insufficient, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get trapped. As a consequence, these pollutants could worsen your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with crisp air and usual housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms while you’re at your house, an air purifier may be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have landed on your furnishings or flooring, it may help clean the air circulating throughout your residence.
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 appropriate if you or a family member has lung issues, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the advantages so you can figure out what’s correct for your residence.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for a single room. A whole-house air purifier works with your home comfort system to treat your full home. Some types can purify by themselves when your home comfort system isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and offer the greatest filtration you can buy, 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 dynamic mixture can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the best in air purification, evaluate a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household smells.
Avoid using an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the main element in smog. The EPA warns ozone might irritate respiratory problems, even when released at minor concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a listing of questions to consider when buying an air purifier.
- What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it take out?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better amount means air will be freshened faster.)
- How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I complete that by myself?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic suggests doing other procedures to reduce your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are elevated.
- Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can irritate symptoms. If you must do this work alone, consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also bathe without delay and put on new clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid drying laundry outside.
- Run air conditioning while at your house or while in the car. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s heating and cooling equipment.
- Balance your home’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring types for lowering indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Pros Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Ready to move forward with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 605-206-3915 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you locate the right equipment for your residence and budget.