We spend a lot of time indoors. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being within a building makes up 90% of our days. However, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outdoors.
That’s because our residences are firmly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility bills, it’s not so fantastic if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is restricted, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get stuck. Consequently, these pollutants could worsen your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with clean air and usual dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms while you’re at your residence, an air purifier might be able to provide relief.
While it can’t remove pollutants that have settled on your furnishings or carpeting, it may help freshen the air traveling around your house.
And air purification has also been scientifically confirmed to help lower some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It may also be useful if you or a loved one has lung trouble, including emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the advantages so you can figure out what’s appropriate for your home.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for a lone room. A whole-house air purifier works with your home comfort equipment to purify your complete residence. Some kinds can clean independent when your HVAC system isn’t on.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and provide the most comprehensive filtration you can get, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more powerful when combined with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful blend can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, evaluate a system that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household odors.
Avoid using an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the main element in smog. The EPA advises ozone may aggravate respiratory problems, even when discharged at minor concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a listing of questions to consider when purchasing an air purifier.
- What can this purifier remove from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better figure means air will be purified faster.)
- How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I do that on my own?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic suggests doing other steps to reduce your exposure to problems that can cause seasonal allergies.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are elevated.
- Have other household members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can irritate symptoms. If you must do these jobs on your own, 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.
- Turn on air conditioning while at home or while driving. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your home’s home comfort unit.
- Even out your residence’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for decreasing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Ready to progress with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 540-675-4306 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you choose the ideal system for your residence and budget.