We spend a lot of time inside. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being indoors makes up 90% of our schedule. Although, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outside your home.
That’s due to the fact our residences are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not so good if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoors ventilation is restricted, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get stuck. Consequently, these pollutants may irritate your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with clean air and usual cleaning and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms while you’re at home, an air purifier might be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t remove pollutants that have landed on your furniture or carpeting, it might help clean the air moving throughout your residence.
And air purification has also been scientifically proven to help reduce some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It may also be helpful if you or a loved one has lung trouble, such as 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 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 clean your complete home. Some types can clean independent when your home comfort equipment isn’t operating.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and offer the best filtration you can find, 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 powerful mixture can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, think over a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household vapors.
Avoid using an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the primary ingredient in smog. The EPA advises ozone may worsen respiratory issues, even when emitted at minor concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a listing of questions to think over 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 bigger number means air will be purified more quickly.)
- How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I do that without help?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic advises doing 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 household members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you are required to do this work alone, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and put on clean clothes once you’re finished.
- Avoid hanging laundry outside your home.
- Run air conditioning while indoors or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your house’s home comfort unit.
- Equalize your house’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring kinds for lowering indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Want to take the next step with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 804-302-6657 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you choose the best unit for your home and budget.