We spend lots of time in our homes. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being within a building accounts for 90% of our time. However, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outdoors.
That’s due to the fact our houses are firmly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility expenses, it’s not so good if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outside ventilation is restricted, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get stuck. As a result, these pollutants might irritate your allergies.
You can boost your indoor air quality with clean air and regular housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms when you’re at your house, an air purifier could be able to provide relief.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have landed on your couch or carpeting, it might help clean the air circulating throughout 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 helpful if you or someone in your household has lung issues, such as emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the differences so you can figure out what’s right 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 accompanies your HVAC system to purify your entire residence. Some models can work on their own when your home comfort system isn’t operating.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and offer the best filtration you can buy, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic combination can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, consider a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household odors.
Avoid buying an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the top ingredient in smog. The EPA advises ozone could aggravate respiratory troubles, even when emitted at minor concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a list of questions to ask when getting an air purifier.
- What can this purifier remove from the air? What doesn’t it take out?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A bigger number means air will be purified more rapidly.)
- How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I do that by myself?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic suggests taking other measures to reduce your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have someone else trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can worsen symptoms. If you have to do this work yourself, you might want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also shower without delay and put on new clothes once you’re finished.
- Avoid stringing up laundry outdoors.
- Use your air conditioner while indoors or while in the car. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your home’s heating and cooling unit.
- Even out your house’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring materials for decreasing indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Want to progress with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 519-296-4437 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you choose the best equipment for your home and budget.