We spend a good majority of our time in our homes. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being within a building accounts for 90% of our days. Although, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside your home.
That’s since our houses are firmly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility expenses, it’s not so good if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is restricted, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get trapped. As a consequence, these pollutants might worsen your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with clean air and routine housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling 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 couch or carpet, it may help freshen 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 useful if you or a family member has lung trouble, 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 learn what’s correct for your house.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier works alongside your HVAC unit to purify your complete house. Some types can purify independent when your HVAC equipment isn’t operating.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and deliver the most comprehensive filtration you can buy, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more useful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic blend can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, evaluate equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household smells.
Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the main element in smog. The EPA advises ozone may worsen respiratory issues, even when released at minor amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a listing of questions to consider when getting an air purifier.
- What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it extract?
- What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A higher number means air will be cleaned more quickly.)
- How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I finish that on my own?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic recommends doing other steps to decrease your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.
- 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 tasks can trigger symptoms. If you are required to do this work alone, you may want to consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and put on clean clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid stringing up laundry outside your home.
- Turn on the AC while indoors or while you’re on the road. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort unit.
- Equalize your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring kinds for reducing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Prepared to move forward with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 208-561-1226 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you find the right unit for your house and budget.
