We spend lots of time indoors. In reality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being indoors makes up 90% of our days. Having said that, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outdoors.

That’s due to the fact our homes are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so great if you’re amid the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outdoors ventilation is limited, pollutants including dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get trapped. As a result, these pollutants can irritate your allergies.

You can boost your indoor air quality with clean air and usual cleaning and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms during the time you’re at home, an air purifier may be able to provide relief.

While it can’t remove pollutants that have gotten trapped in your couch or carpet, it could help purify the air traveling around 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 could also be useful if you or a loved one has a lung condition, such as emphysema or COPD.

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

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for a lone room. A whole-house air purifier works alongside your HVAC equipment to purify your full home. Some kinds can clean independent when your home comfort system 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 placed 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 useful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful blend can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the best in air purification, think over equipment that also has a carbon-based filter to eliminate household smells.

Avoid buying an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the main element in smog. The EPA warns ozone could worsen respiratory issues, even when emitted at small concentrations.

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

  • What can this purifier remove from the air? What doesn’t it extract?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A bigger figure means air will be cleaned faster.)
  • 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 Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to get the {top|most excellent|best] performance from your new air purification unit? The Mayo Clinic advises taking other procedures to decrease your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.

  1. Stay in your home and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are elevated.
  2. Have someone else mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can irritate symptoms. If you have to do these chores alone, consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and put on clean clothes once you’re done.
  3. Avoid hanging laundry outdoors.
  4. Turn on your air conditioner while indoors or while in the car. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your house’s home comfort system.
  5. Even out your home’s humidity levels 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 Pros Take Care of Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Prepared to progress with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our professionals a call at 703-260-1148 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you locate the best system for your residence and budget.