We spend a lot of time in our homes. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being within a building makes up 90% of our time. However, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outside your home.

That’s because our homes are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility bills, it’s not so good if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outdoor ventilation is limited, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get captured. As a result, these pollutants can aggravate your allergies.

You can improve your indoor air quality with crisp air and regular housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms when you’re at your house, an air purifier might be able to help.

While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have settled on your couch or flooring, it can help freshen the air traveling throughout 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 can also be helpful if you or someone in your household has lung issues, such as emphysema or COPD.

There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the distinctions so you can figure out what’s correct 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 accompanies your HVAC system to purify your complete home. Some types can work on their own when your heating and cooling unit isn’t operating.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Go after a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can buy, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.

HEPA filters are even more useful when combined with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic combination can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, evaluate equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household vapors.

Avoid using an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the main ingredient in smog. The EPA advises ozone may aggravate respiratory problems, even when discharged at minor concentrations.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a list of questions to consider when buying 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 better figure means air will be freshened faster.)
  • How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I do that on my own?
  • How much do new filters or bulbs cost?

How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic advises completing other steps to limit your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.

  1. Stay in your home and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are heightened.
  2. Have someone else trim the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can worsen symptoms. If you are required to do these jobs alone, you may want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also shower right away and change your clothes once you’re done.
  3. Avoid hanging laundry outdoors.
  4. Use your air conditioner while indoors or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your home’s heating and cooling equipment.
  5. Even out your residence’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for lowering indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Professionals Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Want to move forward with getting 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 ideal unit for your residence and budget.