We spend lots of time indoors. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being inside comprises 90% of our time. Having said that, the EPA also says your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outside your home.

That’s since our residences are firmly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good 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 restricted, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get captured. Consequently, these pollutants can aggravate your allergies.

You can improve your indoor air quality with crisp air and regular dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms when you’re at your residence, an air purifier could be able to provide relief.

While it can’t remove pollutants that have settled on your furniture or carpet, it might help purify the air moving around your home.

And air purification has also been scientifically verified to help lower 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 trouble, including 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 determine what’s right for your home.

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for a lone room. A whole-house air purifier accompanies your heating and cooling unit to purify your entire home. Some types can purify independent when your heating and cooling unit 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 placed 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 combined with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful blend can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the best in air purification, think over equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household smells.

Avoid using an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the primary element in smog. The EPA warns ozone could aggravate respiratory issues, even when discharged at low amounts.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a list of questions to think over when getting an air purifier.

  • What can this purifier take out from the air? What doesn’t it extract?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better amount means air will be purified more quickly.)
  • How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I complete that on my own?
  • How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?

How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic recommends completing other procedures to decrease your exposure to problems that can cause seasonal allergies.

  1. Stay inside and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are high.
  2. Have someone else mow the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can trigger symptoms. If you have to do these chores on your own, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also rinse off without delay and put on clean clothes once you’re done.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outside your home.
  4. Run your air conditioner while at your house or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s heating and cooling system.
  5. Equalize your house’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring kinds for lowering indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities

Want to take the next step with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 254-355-3833 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you choose the best equipment for your house and budget.