We spend a good majority of our time in our homes. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being inside accounts for 90% of our time. However, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outdoors.

That’s due to the fact our residences are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not so good if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

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

You can enhance your indoor air quality with fresh air and routine housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms when you’re at home, an air purifier might be able to help.

While it can’t get rid of pollutants that have landed on your furnishings or carpet, it might help clean the air moving across your house.

And air purification has also been scientifically proven to help lessen some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It could also be appropriate if you or a loved one has lung issues, such as emphysema or COPD.

There are two kinds, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll examine the differences so you can determine what’s right 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 heating and cooling unit to purify your complete home. Some kinds can purify independent when your heating and cooling system isn’t running.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Seek a model with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are used in hospitals and offer the most comprehensive filtration you can get, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.

HEPA filters are even more useful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This mighty mixture can eliminate 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 eliminate household vapors.

Avoid getting an air purifier that makes ozone, which is the top ingredient in smog. The EPA warns ozone might aggravate respiratory troubles, even when emitted at minor settings.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a checklist of questions to think over when getting an air purifier.

  • What can this purifier take out from the air? What doesn’t it remove?
  • 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 switched]? Can I finish that on my own?
  • How much do new filters or bulbs cost?

How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Want to have the {top|most excellent|best] results from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic suggests doing other procedures to reduce 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 family members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you are required to do these chores on your own, you may want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower without delay and put on new clothes once you’re done.
  3. Avoid hanging laundry outside your home.
  4. Use the AC while at your house or while you’re on the road. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your home’s home comfort system.
  5. Equalize your residence’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring types for reducing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Want to progress with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 308-832-4321 or contact us online to request an appointment. We’ll help you find the ideal equipment for your residence and budget.