We spend a lot of time inside. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being within a building accounts for 90% of our schedule. Although, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside your home.
That’s due to the fact our houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic 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 insufficient, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get captured. As a consequence, these pollutants may irritate your allergies.
You can enhance your indoor air quality with crisp air and regular dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms during the time you’re at your residence, an air purifier may be able to help.
While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have landed on your furniture or flooring, it may help purify the air traveling around your home.
And air purification has also been scientifically confirmed to help reduce some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It may also be appropriate if you or a loved one has a lung condition, such as emphysema or COPD.
There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the distinctions so you can determine 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 accompanies your home comfort system to clean your full home. Some types can work on their own when your HVAC equipment isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can find, as they catch 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when installed with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful combination can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are standard allergens. For the best in air purification, evaluate a system that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household smells.
Avoid getting an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the top element in smog. The EPA warns ozone could irritate respiratory issues, even when emitted at small concentrations.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a listing of questions to consider when purchasing 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 more rapidly.)
- How frequently 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] results from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic suggests completing other steps to reduce your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have other family members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can irritate symptoms. If you are required to do this work alone, you might want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and change your clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid drying laundry outdoors.
- Run air conditioning while at home or while you’re on the road. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your house’s heating and cooling equipment.
- Equalize your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for lowering indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Ready to progress with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 208-621-0129 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your family and budget.