We spend a lot of time in our homes. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being inside accounts for 90% of our time. However, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outdoors.

That’s because our houses are firmly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so great if you’re amid the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outside ventilation is restricted, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can get trapped. Consequently, these pollutants could irritate your allergies.

You can boost your indoor air quality with clean air and routine cleaning and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms while you’re at home, an air purifier may be able to help.

While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have landed on your furnishings or flooring, it might help clean the air circulating across your home.

And air purification has also been scientifically proven to help lower some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It might also be useful if you or a family member has lung issues, like emphysema or COPD.

There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the advantages so you can determine what’s right for your residence.

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for a single room. A whole-house air purifier accompanies your HVAC system to clean your entire house. Some kinds can work by themselves when your heating and cooling system isn’t on.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

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

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

Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top ingredient in smog. The EPA warns ozone might worsen respiratory troubles, even when emitted at low amounts.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a checklist of questions to consider when getting 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 better figure means air will be cleaned more quickly.)
  • How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I finish that without help?
  • How much do spare filters or bulbs cost?

How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic recommends doing other procedures to limit your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.

  1. Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are heightened.
  2. Have someone else mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can aggravate symptoms. If you have to do these chores alone, you might want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also rinse off right away and change your clothes once you’re finished.
  3. Avoid hanging laundry outside.
  4. Turn on your air conditioner while at your house or while you’re on the road. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your house’s home comfort unit.
  5. Balance your home’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring materials for lowering indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities

Prepared to move forward with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 715-352-4052 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you locate the best unit for your family and budget.