In the United States, over 100 million people suffer from allergies annually. A few common examples are food allergies, eczema, and seasonal allergies, which affect about one-third of American adults and over one-quarter of American children. Fortunately, you can take simple steps to help alleviate allergies in your home. Many experts recommend using air purifiers as a first line of defense against allergies.
Understanding Allergies and Indoor Air Quality
Allergies and indoor air quality go hand in hand and can greatly affect your overall quality of life. The dirtier the air in your home, the worse your allergy symptoms will be. Why? Because dust and pollen floating around the house increases the likelihood that you’ll experience allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and respiratory problems. Various factors can lead to poor indoor air quality, including inadequate ventilation and high humidity. Shedding pets can also contribute to elevated allergy levels inside the home.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality Testing
Indoor air quality testing helps identify the exact type of air pollutants that your home is dealing with. An expert will use special equipment to measure levels of different contaminants. Some of the most common ones found in many homes are particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold spores, and carbon monoxide.
Detecting the exact type of pollutants in your home is key to choosing the right type of air purifier. For example, if the testing reveals high levels of dust and pet dander, you know to use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. If the air testing detects high levels of VOCs, the expert will know to recommend an air purifier with an activated carbon filter.
HEPA Filters: The Gold Standard
Many experts consider HEPA filters the gold standard in air purification technology. These filters can remove up to 99.97% of contaminants in the air, including those as small as 0.3 microns. This allows them to work exceptionally well at removing tiny allergens, like dust, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
HEPA filters do a great job of cleaning air because of their design. They contain a dense mat of randomly arranged fibers, typically fiberglass. When air passes through the filter, it uses a combination of mechanisms to trap the particles. These mechanisms range from direct impact to diffusion and interception. The multi-layered technique helps the filter catch the tiniest allergens in the air, thus reducing allergy symptoms.
Activated Carbon Filters for Odor and Gas Removal
HEPA filters do a great job of trapping small particulate matter, but they cannot trap odors, gases, or VOCs. Activated carbon filters are useful in this situation. A good air purifier with an activated carbon filter can be a lifesaver for people with chemical odor sensitivities or headaches caused by particular scents. The carbon used to make these filters has millions of minute pores, making it extremely porous and able to absorb gases and smells.
Smoke, pet odors, and cooking aromas are just a few of the usual household odors that activated carbon filters are good at eliminating. They are also really good at absorbing VOC emissions from fresh furniture, paint, and cleaning supplies.
Activated carbon and HEPA filters work together in many top-tier air purifiers. This two-stage filtering process successfully removes gaseous pollutants and particulate allergens for a healthier and more pleasant atmosphere.
UV-C Light Air Purifiers
Mold spores, viruses, and bacteria are particularly troublesome for people with impaired immune systems and those who suffer from allergies. Air purifiers that use ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light have a unique strategy for eliminating these pollutants. They don’t rely on particle traps but rather on short-wave UV radiation to kill or incapacitate airborne bacteria and viruses.
UV-C light neutralizes microbes by destroying their DNA or RNA, which stops them from reproducing. Although this technology isn’t as effective as HEPA filters at removing airborne particles, it can greatly decrease the amount of potentially dangerous microbes in your house.
You should know that UV-C air purifiers work best when combined with other forms of filtration. Several newer models combine UV-C lamps with HEPA and activated carbon filters. Those who suffer from allergies or worry about airborne diseases may find this combo especially helpful.
Air Purifiers for Pet Allergies
Certain models of air purifiers come with extra features like ionizers that draw in and eliminate airborne allergens or pre-filters that catch bigger particles like pet hair; these air purifiers are of the utmost benefit to those who suffer from pet allergies. Finding an air purifier with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) is usually a good indicator of how effectively it handles pet dander, so keep that in mind when shopping for one to help with allergies caused by pets.
Understand the Limitations
When it comes to controlling allergies and poor indoor air quality, air purifiers are just one piece of the puzzle. Although they are effective in lowering airborne allergens, they will not be able to remove all of them, especially those that accumulate on surfaces. Carpets, blankets, and furniture are common hiding places for allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander that air purifiers can’t reach.
Combining Air Purifiers With Other Allergy Management Strategies
Air quality experts agree that combining air purifiers with other allergy management strategies is the best way to clean the air inside your home. An easy way to eliminate allergens from surfaces is to clean them regularly using a HEPA-filtered vacuum and a microfiber cloth for dusting. To further improve air quality, you can control humidity levels with dehumidifiers or humidifiers. This will prevent mold growth and dust mite proliferation. Another way to protect yourself against dust mites is by using hypoallergenic mattresses, sheets, blankets, and pillows. Opening windows or installing exhaust fans is another way to ensure enough ventilation, which helps disperse pollutants within the home.
Should You Operate an Air Purifier Around the Clock?
To keep allergens at bay and provide regular relief from allergy symptoms, choose an air purifier that you can run continually. Modern air purifiers are so energy efficient that you can use them nonstop. Many models also come with energy-saving modes and automatic settings that change the fan speed depending on the air quality.
Do Air Purifiers Need Professional Maintenance?
Most air purifiers do not need professional maintenance. Instead, they usually require nothing more than routine cleaning and filter changes. Following the manufacturer’s cleaning and filter changing guidelines to the letter is critical; this will help the air purifier achieve the best results. Some models, however, come with unique features that require professional maintenance. For instance, if your high-tech air purifier has built-in UV-C light technology, you may need a technician’s help when changing the bulbs. Incorrect handling can compromise the device’s effectiveness and safety.
Home Comfort Solutions helps homeowners in Moore, OK with AC installations, heater repairs, electric air handlers, maintenance plans, and more. Call us now to schedule air quality testing for your home. We care about the indoor air quality you and your family have!
