We spend a good majority of our time inside. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined being indoors comprises 90% of our time. Having said that, the EPA also has found your indoor air can be three to five times dirtier than outdoors.

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

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

You can improve your indoor air quality with fresh air and regular cleaning and vacuuming. But if you’re still having issues with symptoms during the time you’re at your residence, an air purifier may be able to provide relief.

While it can’t eliminate pollutants that have gotten trapped in your furnishings or flooring, it can help clean the air moving throughout your home.

And air purification has also been scientifically confirmed to help lessen some allergic symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It may also be appropriate if you or a loved one has lung trouble, including 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 figure out what’s appropriate 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 with your home comfort equipment to clean your full house. Some types can work independent when your home comfort unit 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 placed in hospitals and deliver the most comprehensive filtration you can find, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.

HEPA filters are even more useful when installed with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful combination can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are general allergens. For the greatest in air purification, consider a system that also has a carbon-based filter to decrease household odors.

Avoid using an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the top component in smog. The EPA warns ozone might worsen respiratory troubles, even when emitted at minor concentrations.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has created 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 extract?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A better amount means air will be cleaned more rapidly.)
  • How regularly does the filter or UV bulb need to be replaced]? Can I finish that by myself?
  • How much do replacement filters or bulbs cost?

How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

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

  1. Stay indoors and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are heightened.
  2. Have someone else mow the lawn or pull weeds, since these tasks can worsen symptoms. If you must do these chores yourself, you might want to consider wearing a pollen mask. You should also rinse off immediately and change your clothes once you’re done.
  3. Avoid drying laundry outdoors.
  4. Use the AC while at your house or while driving. Consider adding a high efficiency air filter in your house’s HVAC system.
  5. Equalize your home’s humidity percentage with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the ideal flooring kinds for lowering indoor allergens. If your house has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Professionals Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

Want to progress with adding a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 334-524-2458 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you locate the right equipment for your house and budget.