Breathe Easy with Improved Indoor Air Quality This Allergy Season

Spring is finally here! For many, the first sign of spring is welcomed with open windows; for others, sneezing, sniffling, and itchy eyes accompany the change in seasons. While “spring cleaning” has become synonymous with organizing, cleaning, and preparing your home for the wonderful days ahead, it’s equally important to not overlook another benefit of thorough spring cleaning—improving indoor air quality.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors. The quality of the air in your home is nothing to sneeze at: it can have a serious impact on the health and comfort of you and your family. Dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens can cause allergic reactions. This is especially the case during springtime, when many outdoor allergens begin their annual onslaught on our senses. You can help improve the indoor air quality of your home during your spring cleaning this year by cleaning your air ducts, vacuuming your carpets, replacing HVAC/furnace filters, and keeping an eye out for mold.

You can also actively clean your home’s indoor air by using a room air cleaner. Room air cleaners work by filtering particles out from the circulating air. As air passes through a room air cleaner, the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter traps over 99 percent of airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger. Room air cleaners can reduce stale or unpleasant odors, as well as remove airborne irritants, helping to keep your home smelling fresh and feeling comfortable.

What to Look for When Shopping for a Room Air Cleaner

With so many models to choose from, picking the right room air cleaner for your home can be difficult. Here are some of the top things to consider when shopping for a new room air cleaner:

1. Look for the ENERGY STAR^®: ENERGY STAR certified models have all the features of standard models, but can save you up to $250 over the life of the product. Certified models have also gone through strict testing to ensure they will perform as intended and save you energy, so when you see that blue label, you’ll know your product is of the highest quality. And remember, certified models are eligible for a $40 rebate from Mass Save!
2. Check your room size: Before you go shopping for a new room air cleaner, measure the room(s) in which it will be used. The square footage of the room will determine what size you need your room air cleaner to be.
3. Understand Clean Air Delivery Rate: Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) measures how quickly a unit delivers filtered air and can be used to measure the performance of a room air cleaner. If you want the highest-performing model, look for a higher CADR.

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