We spend lots of time indoors. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined 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 because our homes are firmly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bills, it’s not so great if you’re among the 40% of the population with respiratory allergies.

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

You can enhance your indoor air quality with crisp air and usual housework and vacuuming. But if you’re still struggling with symptoms when you’re at your residence, an air purifier might be able to provide relief.

While it can’t remove pollutants that have settled on your furnishings or carpet, it may help purify the air moving throughout your residence.

And air purification has also been scientifically proven to help reduce 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 options, a portable air purifier or a whole-home air purifier. We’ll discuss the advantages so you can determine what’s appropriate for your home.

Whole-House Air Purifier vs. Portable Air Purifiers

A portable air purifier is for one room. A whole-house air purifier accompanies your HVAC equipment to treat your full residence. Some types can work on their own when your home comfort unit isn’t on.

What’s the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Look for a purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are installed in hospitals and provide the greatest filtration you can get, as they eliminate 99.97% of particles in the air.

HEPA filters are even more powerful when used with an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light. This powerful blend can wipe out dust, dander, pollen and mold, all of which are standard allergens. For the ultimate in air purification, think over a system that also has a carbon-based filter to reduce household odors.

Avoid getting an air purifier that generates ozone, which is the main ingredient in smog. The EPA warns ozone could aggravate respiratory troubles, even when discharged at low concentrations.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has compiled a listing of questions to consider when getting an air purifier.

  • What can this purifier remove from the air? What doesn’t it take out?
  • What’s its clean air delivery rate? (A higher number means air will be cleaned faster.)
  • How often does the filter or UV bulb need to be switched]? Can I do that on my own?
  • How much do spare 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 suggests completing other measures to limit your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers.

  1. Stay in your home and keep windows and doors sealed when pollen counts are heightened.
  2. Have other household members trim the lawn or pull weeds, since this work can worsen symptoms. If you are required to do this work yourself, you may want to consider using a pollen mask. You should also shower immediately and put on clean clothes once you’re completed.
  3. Avoid stringing up laundry outdoors.
  4. Turn on the AC while indoors or while in the car. Consider using a high efficiency air filter in your home’s heating and cooling equipment.
  5. Even out your home’s humidity levels with a whole-house dehumidifier.
  6. Hardwood, tile or linoleum are the best flooring materials for lowering indoor allergens. If your residence has carpet, install a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner.

Let Our Pros Manage Your Indoor Air Quality Requirements

Prepared to progress with installing a whole-house air purifier? Give our experts a call at 541-286-6617 or contact us online to get an appointment. We’ll help you locate the right unit for your family and budget.