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

That’s since our homes are firmly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility costs, it’s not so good 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 might worsen your allergies.

You can enhance your indoor air quality with clean air and routine housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms during the time you’re at home, an air purifier could be able to provide assistance.

While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have gotten trapped in your furniture or carpet, it can help freshen the air traveling around your residence.

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 a lung condition, including emphysema or COPD.

There are two options, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the differences so you can learn 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 works alongside your home comfort equipment to purify your full home. Some kinds can clean independent when your HVAC unit isn’t operating.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Go after a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and provide the best filtration you can find, as they catch 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 destroy dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the greatest in air purification, think over a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household odors.

Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the primary component in smog. The EPA cautions ozone might worsen respiratory problems, even when emitted at low concentrations.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a list of questions to ask when buying 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 number means air will be freshened more rapidly.)
  • How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I do that without help?
  • How much do spare filters or bulbs cost?

How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

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

  1. Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high.
  2. Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can trigger symptoms. If you are required to do these jobs on your own, you may want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also rinse off immediately and put on new clothes once you’re done.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outside.
  4. Run the AC while indoors or while you’re on the road. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort unit.
  5. Balance your residence’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring types for lowering indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Specialists Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

Ready to move forward with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 309-323-9584 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you find the ideal equipment for your residence and budget.