We spend lots of time in our homes. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approximated being indoors accounts for 90% of our days. Having said that, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times more polluted than outside your home.

That’s because our houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility expenses, it’s not so good if you’re a part of the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

When outdoor ventilation is limited, pollutants such as dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might get trapped. As a result, these pollutants might aggravate your allergies.

You can enhance your indoor air quality with clean air and routine housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still having problems with symptoms while you’re at home, an air purifier might be able to provide assistance.

While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have landed on your couch or carpeting, it might help freshen the air circulating across your house.

And air purification has also been scientifically verified to help lessen some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It might also be helpful if you or someone in your household has lung trouble, such as emphysema or COPD.

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

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 heating and cooling system to purify your entire house. Some models can clean by themselves when your HVAC unit isn’t operating.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

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

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

Avoid using an air purifier that creates ozone, which is the top component in smog. The EPA warns ozone may worsen respiratory issues, even when released at low amounts.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has made a listing of questions to think over 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 higher number means air will be cleaned more quickly.)
  • How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I complete 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] outcome from your new air purification system? The Mayo Clinic recommends completing other procedures to limit your exposure to problems that can cause seasonal allergies.

  1. Stay inside and keep windows and doors shut when pollen counts are heightened.
  2. Have other household members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since these jobs can worsen symptoms. If you are required to do these jobs yourself, you might want to consider trying a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and change your clothes once you’re finished.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outside your home.
  4. Turn on the AC while at home or while driving. Consider installing a high efficiency air filter in your residence’s home comfort equipment.
  5. Equalize your house’s humidity saturation with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring types for reducing indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Handle Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

Want to take the next step with getting a whole-house air purifier? Give our specialists a call at 334-524-2458 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you find the best system for your residence and budget.