The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) recommends air purifiers as an important tool in managing allergies. If you practice good habits and take other precautions, you can all but eliminate triggers in your home. Let’s explore the role an air purifier can play when it comes to your allergies.
Air Changes Per Hour
An important concept when it comes to air purification and ventilation is air changes per hour (ACH). This value accounts for the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of the airflow and the airflow restriction of the filter media. It’s also relative to total square footage. Consider an air purifier with a rating of 4 ACH at 2,000 square feet. It would filter all the air in a 2,000-sq.-ft. home four times an hour.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends no less than 5 ACH. For those with asthma and bad allergies, many allergists recommend 6 ACH or more. You may want to discuss with your allergist the ideal ACH for your home based on your particular allergies.
You may also encounter clean air deliver rates (CADR), which relate to ACH. It represents the amount of clean air delivered every minute. It’s more commonly used for portable air purifiers.
Portable vs. Whole-House Air Purifier
Whole-house air purifiers are more effective at promoting good indoor air quality (IAQ). They provide clean air throughout an entire home. Portable or room air purifiers deliver cleaned air in a more limited space. Room air purifiers are certainly cheaper especially when it comes to achieving a high CADR. A whole-house air purifier will be the better investment over the life of the equipment.
Supply Side vs. Return Side
Many whole-house air purifiers take advantage of the HVAC duct system. These purifiers either operate on the supply or return side of the system. Airflow restriction is a concern on the supply side. It’s much less of a concern on the return side. If you do opt for a supply-side system, you can still trap all allergens, but it will limit the ACH. A return-side system will allow for a much higher ACH. It will also allow for more robust filtration, which can certainly matter for those with severe allergies.
Allergens
Dust is the biggest concern when it comes to IAQ. It’s bad on a number of fronts. Dust is an allergen directly. It provides a breeding ground for dust mites. Dust also acts like a sponge that absorbs a range of gases and chemicals and continues to rerelease them over time. With good dust control, an air purifier can all but eliminate airborne dust particles.
Pollen is the second-biggest concern. Most air purifiers have mechanical filtration that can trap grass, weed and tree pollen. With proper grooming of pets, it can help you eliminate pet dander in the home. An air purifier can help trap pollutants that you introduce, such as from cooking in your kitchen. It can also help with pest detritus, mold spores and fungal spores.
Other Large Particulate Matter
Many allergists recommend choosing an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. While it’s true that many pleated filters can trap allergens and other larger particulate (PM), most aren’t as effective. A True HEPA filter will trap 99.97% of all PM down to 0.3 microns in size. Depending on the rate of the air purifier, a True HEPA filter will generally last at least six months and as long as 12 months.
Fine Particulate Matter
The discussion about allergies often focuses on allergens or large PM. Fine PM deserves more attention. These are the particulates that modern science links to many cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. It’s certainly bad for your long-term health, but it can have short-term ramifications too. It inflames the sinuses and lungs and makes them more prone to allergy triggers and severe allergy symptoms.
VOCs, Gases and Chemicals
There’s similar concern with volatile organic compounds, gases and airborne chemicals. These substances inflame your respiratory system, make you more susceptible to triggers and heighten symptoms. It’s why many air purifiers have an activated carbon filter. It not only absorbs unpleasant odors but the VOCs, gases and chemicals you can’t smell. You should also be careful about introducing these substances to your home. New furnishings can off-gas VOCs, and many household cleaners contain toxic chemicals.
Bacteria and Viruses
Allergies can also make you more susceptible to certain viruses and infections. Consider that sinus infections aren’t caused by the allergy itself but rather a virus that exploits the heightened sensitivity. This is why many allergists recommend ultraviolet (UV) filtration. UV-C is a germicidal light that neutralizes pathogens and also dust mite eggs, fungal spores and mold spores. You can opt for an air purifier with a UV stage. You can also add UV lamps separately by having an HVAC technician install them in your ducts.
Some Air Purifiers Can Make Your Allergies Worse
Not all air purifiers are the same. That also goes for products called air cleaners, air scrubbers and so forth. Air purifiers that have some combination of mechanical, activated carbon and UV filtration are strong options for those with allergies.
Ozone-generating air purifiers are counterproductive. Ozone, which some brands call “activated oxygen” or “super oxygen,” is an irritant for people with sensitive respiratory systems. It’s not even effective as an air cleaner at the level the federal government allows for residential applications.
You should also avoid air ionizers. They’re largely ineffective when it comes to combatting allergens. Air ionizers often produce some ozone as well.
Other Considerations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends deep dusting a home once a week. After dusting a room, vacuum the flooring and furnishings with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
Your HVAC system plays a role in IAQ too. HVAC filters have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). Choose a filter with the highest MERV rating your HVAC system supports. The AAAAI also recommends avoiding cheap fiberglass filters due to the fibers they can release.
Consider a whole-house fan. It can reduce your reliance on your AC. You can run it when not using your HVAC system to bring in fresh air without allergens and suppress allergen concentrations.
Relatively humidity (RH) plays a big role in allergies too. The EPA recommends an RH between 30% and 50%. Maintaining this optimal RH will make your allergies less severe. A whole-house dehumidifier helps to maintain that RH in summer. A whole-house humidifier helps to maintain it in winter.
Your Local IAQ Experts in Richmond
If you live in Richmond or the surrounding areas and need help with your IAQ, Davis & Green is here to provide it. Our IAQ team installs and services air purifiers, UV lamps, dehumidifiers and humidifiers. Our HVAC team specializes in furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners and ductless mini-splits. We have plumbers that repair pipes, clean drains, repair sewers and find and repair leaks.
Our plumbers hook up appliances and install toilets and other fixtures, water heaters, sump pumps, garbage disposals and water treatment systems. We also have electricians that specialize in electrical panels, generators, EV charging stations, indoor and outdoor lighting and much more. Contact us today with any questions about these services or to schedule an appointment.
