We spend lots of time inside. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being inside accounts for 90% of our days. Having said that, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outdoors.
That’s because our residences are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so fantastic if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoors ventilation is limited, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get stuck. As a result, these pollutants can aggravate your allergies.
You can boost your indoor air quality with fresh air and regular housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms when you’re at home, an air purifier could be able to help.
While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have settled on your furniture or carpeting, it can help purify the air traveling across your residence.
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 may also be helpful if you or someone in your household has lung issues, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll go over the advantages so you can determine what’s correct 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 purify your full residence. Some kinds can work on their own when your home comfort equipment isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and deliver the greatest filtration you can find, 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 powerful mixture can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, evaluate a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household smells.
Avoid buying an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the primary element in smog. The EPA warns ozone could aggravate respiratory issues, even when emitted at minor amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a list of questions to think over when purchasing an air purifier.
- What can this purifier take out from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better figure means air will be freshened faster.)
- How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I do that on my own?
- How much do spare filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic suggests completing other steps to decrease your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high.
- Have other household members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can irritate symptoms. If you must do this work on your own, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower right away and change your clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid drying laundry outside your home.
- Run your air conditioner while indoors or while in the car. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort unit.
- Balance your house’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring types for decreasing indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Prepared to progress with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 256-270-1196 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you choose the ideal system for your residence and budget.
