We spend a good majority of our time inside. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being inside makes up 90% of our time. Having said that, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outdoors.
That’s due to the fact our homes are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.
When outdoor ventilation is insufficient, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get stuck. Consequently, these pollutants might worsen your allergies.
You can improve your indoor air quality with clean air and regular housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms when you’re at your house, an air purifier could be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have gotten trapped in your furniture or carpeting, it can help purify the air moving around your residence.
And air purification has also been scientifically verified to help lower some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It can also be appropriate if you or someone in your household has a lung condition, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll go over the distinctions so you can figure out what’s right 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 accompanies your heating and cooling unit to purify your complete residence. Some kinds can clean on their own when your home comfort system isn’t operating.
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 offer the best filtration you can find, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more beneficial when installed with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This mighty combination can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, consider a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household vapors.
Avoid buying an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the main component in smog. The EPA advises ozone may irritate respiratory troubles, even when released at minor amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a list of questions to ask when getting 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 number means air will be cleaned faster.)
- How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I finish that by myself?
- How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic recommends completing other procedures to reduce your exposure to problems that can cause 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 jobs can aggravate symptoms. If you are required to do these jobs on your own, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower right away and put on clean clothes once you’re completed.
- Avoid drying laundry outside your home.
- Turn on your air conditioner while indoors or while you’re on the road. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your home’s home comfort system.
- Balance your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring types for decreasing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Specialists Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements
Want to take the next step with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 812-663-7252 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you find the ideal equipment for your family and budget.