We spend lots of time inside. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being inside makes up 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 since our houses are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not so fantastic if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outdoor ventilation is limited, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may get stuck. As a result, these pollutants might aggravate your allergies.

You can improve your indoor air quality with fresh air and regular housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms when you’re at your house, an air purifier may be able to provide assistance.

While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have settled on your furniture or carpeting, it may help purify the air traveling throughout your house.

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 can also be appropriate if you or a family member has a lung condition, such as emphysema or COPD.

There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the advantages so you can determine what’s appropriate 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 home comfort equipment to clean your entire residence. Some kinds can clean independent when your heating and cooling system isn’t on.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Go after a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and deliver the most comprehensive 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 dynamic combination can eliminate dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are common allergens. For the greatest in air purification, think over a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household vapors.

Avoid getting an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the main ingredient in smog. The EPA warns ozone might aggravate respiratory problems, even when discharged at low amounts.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a checklist of questions to consider when buying 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 bigger number means air will be purified more quickly.)
  • How frequently does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I complete that without help?
  • How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?

How to Lessen Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] outcome from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic suggests taking other procedures to reduce your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.

  1. Stay in your home and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are high.
  2. Have other family members cut the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you have to do these jobs yourself, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also bathe right away and change your clothes once you’re finished.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outside your home.
  4. Use your air conditioner while at home or while you’re on the road. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your house’s HVAC system.
  5. Equalize your house’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring kinds for reducing indoor allergens. If your home has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Professionals Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Want to take the next step with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 203-357-5913 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you find the right unit for your home and budget.