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. However, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outdoors.

That’s due to the fact our houses are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outside ventilation is limited, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get stuck. Consequently, these pollutants could aggravate your allergies.

You can improve your indoor air quality with crisp air and routine housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms while you’re at home, an air purifier may be able to help.

While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have settled on your furnishings or carpet, it could help purify the air circulating throughout your home.

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 helpful if you or a loved one has lung trouble, such as emphysema or COPD.

There are two kinds, 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 residence.

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier works alongside your heating and cooling system to treat your full home. Some types can clean on their own when your heating and cooling system isn’t operating.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Go after an option with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and provide the most comprehensive filtration you can find, as they trap 99.97% of particles in the air.

HEPA filters are even more beneficial when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful mixture can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the best in air purification, evaluate equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household odors.

Avoid buying an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the top ingredient in smog. The EPA cautions ozone might aggravate respiratory problems, even when released at low concentrations.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a list of questions to ask 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 higher amount means air will be cleaned more rapidly.)
  • How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I complete that on my own?
  • How much do new filters or bulbs cost?

How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic advises completing other measures to decrease your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.

  1. Stay inside and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are high.
  2. Have other family members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you have to do this work on your own, you might want to consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and put on new clothes once you’re finished.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outside your home.
  4. Use the AC while at your house or while in the car. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your house’s HVAC system.
  5. Even out your residence’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for reducing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Specialists Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

Ready to progress with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 715-504-0533 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you locate the best unit for your family and budget.