We spend a good majority of our time in our homes. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being within a building accounts for 90% of our days. Although, the EPA also has determined your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outside your home.

That’s since our residences are firmly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not so fantastic if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outdoors ventilation is insufficient, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could get trapped. As a result, these pollutants may aggravate your allergies.

You can improve your indoor air quality with crisp air and routine housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms while you’re at home, an air purifier could be able to help.

While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have settled on your furnishings or carpet, it may help clean the air traveling across your residence.

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 could also be appropriate if you or someone in your household has lung issues, like emphysema or COPD.

There are two models, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the distinctions so you can figure out 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 clean your full house. Some kinds can purify independent when your home comfort equipment isn’t operating.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Look for a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and deliver the most comprehensive filtration you can buy, 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 destroy 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 odors.

Avoid buying an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the main ingredient in smog. The EPA cautions ozone might worsen respiratory troubles, even when emitted at small amounts.

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

  • What can this purifier extract from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A bigger figure means air will be cleaned more quickly.)
  • How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be changed]? 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 measures to limit your exposure to problems that can cause seasonal allergies.

  1. Stay in your home and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are elevated.
  2. Have other family members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can trigger symptoms. If you must do these chores yourself, you might want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower right away and put on new clothes once you’re done.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outside.
  4. Run your air conditioner while at home or while in the car. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your house’s home comfort equipment.
  5. Balance your residence’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the suggested flooring kinds for decreasing indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Prepared to move forward with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 717-216-0846 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you choose the ideal unit for your residence and budget.