We spend a lot of time inside. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being within a building accounts for 90% of our days. Having said that, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outdoors.
That’s due to the fact our homes are securely sealed to increase 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 limited, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get trapped. As a result, these pollutants could irritate your allergies.
You can boost your indoor air quality with crisp air and usual cleaning and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms when you’re at home, an air purifier may be able to provide assistance.
While it can’t remove pollutants that have settled on your furnishings or carpeting, it could help freshen the air moving throughout your residence.
And air purification has also been scientifically proven to help lessen 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, like emphysema or COPD.
There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the differences so you can learn what’s correct for your home.
Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier works with your heating and cooling equipment to purify your entire house. Some models can work on their own when your HVAC equipment isn’t on.
What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?
Look for a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are placed in hospitals and deliver the most comprehensive filtration you can buy, as they catch 99.97% of particles in the air.
HEPA filters are even more powerful when installed with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic mixture can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are standard allergens. For the greatest in air purification, think over equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household odors.
Avoid getting an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the primary component in smog. The EPA advises ozone may aggravate respiratory troubles, even when emitted at small amounts.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a list of questions to consider when purchasing 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 bigger figure means air will be cleaned faster.)
- How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I do that without help?
- How much do new filters or bulbs cost?
How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic recommends doing other steps to reduce your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.
- Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are heightened.
- Have other family members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can worsen symptoms. If you have to do these chores yourself, you might want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower right away and put on new clothes once you’re done.
- Avoid drying laundry outside.
- Use the AC while at your house or while you’re on the road. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your home’s heating and cooling unit.
- Equalize your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring materials for lowering indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.
Let Our Professionals Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Prepared to move forward with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 507-663-1208 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you locate the ideal unit for your family and budget.