We spend lots of time indoors. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated 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 dirtier than outdoors.

That’s due to the fact our homes are firmly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility bills, it’s not so great 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) can get trapped. As a result, these pollutants may aggravate your allergies.

You can enhance your indoor air quality with crisp air and routine cleaning and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms when you’re at home, an air purifier might be able to provide relief.

While it can’t remove pollutants that have settled on your furniture or carpeting, it might help purify the air traveling across your home.

And air purification has also been scientifically confirmed to help lessen 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 options, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll go over the advantages so you can figure out what’s appropriate for your house.

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for a single room. A whole-house air purifier works with your home comfort unit to clean your complete house. Some types can clean by themselves when your home comfort system isn’t on.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Look for a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can find, as they catch 99.97% of particles in the air.

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

Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top component in smog. The EPA advises ozone may aggravate respiratory problems, even when released at small amounts.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created a listing of questions to consider when buying an air purifier.

  • What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it extract?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A bigger number means air will be cleaned more quickly.)
  • How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? Can I complete that without help?
  • How much do new filters or bulbs cost?

How to Decrease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

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

  1. Stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are heightened.
  2. Have other family members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can trigger symptoms. If you have to do these jobs alone, you may want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and put on clean clothes once you’re completed.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outside.
  4. Run your air conditioner while indoors or while driving. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort unit.
  5. Equalize your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring types for decreasing indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Prepared to take the next step with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 519-683-2339 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you locate the right system for your house and budget.