We spend lots of time inside. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being inside comprises 90% of our days. Although, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside your home.
That’s since our residences are firmly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility bills, it’s not so great if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is insufficient, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get trapped. As a consequence, these pollutants might irritate your allergies.
You can enhance your indoor air quality with fresh air and usual dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms when you’re at home, an air purifier might be able to provide relief.
While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have settled on your furniture or carpet, it can help clean the air circulating throughout your residence.
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 might also be useful if you or a loved one has lung trouble, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two options, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the advantages so you can determine what’s appropriate for your home.
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 treat your entire house. Some models can purify by themselves when your home comfort unit isn’t running.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Seek a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and offer the greatest filtration you can find, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more powerful when combined with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful blend can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the best in air purification, think over equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household odors.
Avoid buying an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top element in smog. The EPA advises ozone may worsen respiratory issues, even when discharged at minor settings.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a checklist of questions to think over 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 frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I do that without help?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic recommends doing other procedures to decrease your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can worsen symptoms. If you have to do this work yourself, you may want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and change your clothes once you’re finished.
- Avoid drying laundry outdoors.
- Use the AC while at home or while driving. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your house’s heating and cooling unit.
- Balance your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring materials for decreasing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Pros Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Prepared to progress with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 510-343-9841 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you find the ideal unit for your family and budget.
