We spend a lot of time in our homes. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being indoors accounts for 90% of our time. Although, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outdoors.

That’s since our residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy bills, it’s not so fantastic if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outdoors ventilation is restricted, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get trapped. Consequently, these pollutants may irritate 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 house, an air purifier might be able to provide relief.

While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have settled on your couch or carpet, it may help purify the air moving across your house.

And air purification has also been scientifically verified to help lessen some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It can also be appropriate if you or a loved one has lung issues, including emphysema or COPD.

There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the differences so you can determine what’s appropriate for your home.

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier accompanies your HVAC system to purify your full home. Some types can clean on their own when your HVAC equipment isn’t running.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Look for a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and offer the most comprehensive filtration you can find, as they catch 99.97% of particles in the air.

HEPA filters are even more beneficial when combined with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This mighty blend can destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the best in air purification, consider a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household vapors.

Avoid buying an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the top ingredient in smog. The EPA cautions ozone may worsen respiratory troubles, even when discharged at minor settings.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a checklist of questions to think over when purchasing an air purifier.

  • What can this purifier take out from the air? What doesn’t it take out?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A higher amount means air will be purified faster.)
  • How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I finish that without help?
  • 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 unit? The Mayo Clinic suggests doing other procedures to reduce your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.

  1. Stay inside and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are heightened.
  2. Have other household members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can trigger symptoms. If you must do these chores yourself, you may want to consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also shower right away and put on new clothes once you’re completed.
  3. Avoid hanging laundry outside.
  4. Use the AC while indoors or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort unit.
  5. Equalize your residence’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring materials for reducing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Professionals Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities

Prepared to progress with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 805-242-9638 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your residence and budget.