We spend a lot of time in our homes. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being indoors 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 due to the fact our houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outside ventilation is restricted, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get stuck. As a consequence, these pollutants can aggravate your allergies.

You can enhance your indoor air quality with crisp air and regular housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms during the time you’re at your house, an air purifier may be able to help.

While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have landed on your furnishings or carpeting, it could help purify the air traveling 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 could also be appropriate if you or a loved one has lung issues, such as emphysema or COPD.

There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll go over the differences so you can figure out what’s right for your residence.

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for a lone room. A whole-house air purifier works with your home comfort system to clean your entire residence. Some models can work independent when your heating and cooling unit isn’t running.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Seek an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and provide the best filtration you can buy, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.

HEPA filters are even more useful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful mixture can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are standard allergens. For the greatest in air purification, think over a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household smells.

Avoid using an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the primary ingredient in smog. The EPA warns ozone may aggravate respiratory problems, even when emitted at low amounts.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a list of questions to ask when purchasing an air purifier.

  • What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A bigger amount means air will be purified more rapidly.)
  • How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I finish that by myself?
  • How much do new filters or bulbs cost?

How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic advises completing other measures to decrease your exposure to problems that can cause seasonal allergies.

  1. Stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are elevated.
  2. Have other household members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can trigger symptoms. If you must do this work on your own, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also rinse off right away and change your clothes once you’re completed.
  3. Avoid drying laundry outside.
  4. Turn on air conditioning while at your house or while in the car. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s HVAC system.
  5. Equalize your home’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring kinds for lowering indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Ready to take the next step with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 715-318-6728 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you locate the best unit for your home and budget.