We spend a good majority of our time inside. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being indoors accounts for 90% of our days. However, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outdoors.
That’s due to the fact our houses are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re amid the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoors ventilation is restricted, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get captured. Consequently, these pollutants might aggravate your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with crisp air and routine dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms when you’re at your house, an air purifier may be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have landed on your furnishings or carpeting, it could help clean the air moving around your home.
And air purification has also been scientifically proven to help lower some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It might also be useful if you or a loved one has lung issues, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two options, 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 a single room. A whole-house air purifier works alongside your home comfort system to treat your entire residence. Some types can clean on their own when your heating and cooling unit 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 used in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can get, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more useful when installed with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This mighty blend can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are standard allergens. For the greatest in air purification, consider a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household odors.
Avoid buying an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the main element in smog. The EPA cautions ozone may aggravate respiratory issues, even when discharged at small amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a list of questions to consider when purchasing an air purifier.
- What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better figure means air will be cleaned faster.)
- How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I finish that without help?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic recommends doing other steps to limit your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay in your home and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you must do these chores alone, consider using a pollen mask. You should also bathe without delay and put on new clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid drying laundry outdoors.
- Turn on the AC while at your house or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your home’s home comfort system.
- Even out your house’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring kinds for reducing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Ready to progress with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 209-257-3156 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you choose the best unit for your family and budget.