We spend a lot of time in our homes. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated being indoors accounts for 90% of our days. However, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times worse than outside your home.

That’s due to the fact our homes are firmly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy costs, it’s not so fantastic if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outside ventilation is insufficient, pollutants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can get captured. Consequently, these pollutants may worsen your allergies.

You can enhance your indoor air quality with fresh air and regular dusting and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms while you’re at home, an air purifier might be able to help.

While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have landed on your couch or carpeting, it can help clean the air traveling around your home.

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 can also be useful if you or someone in your household has a lung condition, such as emphysema or COPD.

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

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier accompanies your home comfort unit to clean your complete house. Some types can purify by themselves when your heating and cooling system isn’t on.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Look for a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed 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 beneficial when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This dynamic mixture can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the best in air purification, evaluate a unit that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household smells.

Avoid buying an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the main element in smog. The EPA advises ozone may irritate respiratory troubles, even when discharged at low amounts.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a listing of questions to consider when getting 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 better number means air will be cleaned faster.)
  • How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I do that on my own?
  • How much do new filters or bulbs cost?

How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to receive the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification equipment? The Mayo Clinic advises taking other steps to limit your exposure to things that can trigger seasonal allergies.

  1. Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high.
  2. Have other household members mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can trigger symptoms. If you must do this work on your own, you may want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also bathe immediately and change your clothes once you’re completed.
  3. Avoid drying laundry outside your home.
  4. Turn on your air conditioner while indoors or while driving. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s heating and cooling equipment.
  5. Equalize your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring materials for reducing indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, add a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Prepared to take the next step with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 641-812-2028 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you find the ideal unit for your home and budget.