Key Takeaways
- Keeping the indoor air healthy is a key part of asthma management. Uncontrolled asthma can lead to missed school days and increased use of healthcare services.
- Air purifiers can help reduce key asthma triggers such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores by up to 99.9 percent. They not only protect respiratory health, but can reduce the high cost of asthma care.
- Seasonal and regional factors complicate the air quality challenges faced by many Midwestern households. Smart, tailored air purification solutions can meet these specific needs safely and effectively.
- Finding the right air purifier will depend on filter efficiency, room size compatibility, certifications, noise levels and energy efficiency. High-efficiency HEPA filters are best for asthma sufferers.
- Ensuring air purifiers are properly placed and regularly maintained helps ensure they are most effective. Utilizing central locations, regularly changing clean filters, and monitoring improvements in air quality can help maximize the benefits of air purification solutions.
- Maintain a comfortable indoor humidity level, reduce sources of dust, and encase pillows and mattresses in allergen-proof covers. These other tactics complement air purification measures to help make an asthma-friendly home.
Air purification solutions that are appropriate for Midwest households are an excellent start. Controlling indoor air quality is very important. This is particularly true in the Midwest, where seasonal shifts bring in allergens such as pollen, dust, and mold spores—filling our homes with triggers.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters can trap particles down to 0.3 microns, including many common airborne asthma triggers. In homes where humidity is a concern, dehumidifiers can help manage moisture levels, reducing the opportunity for mold to grow.
When these tools are paired with regular home maintenance from cleaning vents to changing filters, the results will be lasting and measurable. Midwest families can create a healthier environment by addressing common air quality challenges specific to the region, making it easier to breathe and live comfortably year-round.
Even basic steps can have a dramatic impact.
Understanding Asthma and Indoor Air Quality
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs or airway passages. For people with asthma, indoor air quality is key to controlling symptoms. Allergens, indoor pollutants, and irritants may be clogging the air within your home. These can worsen asthma and increase daily burdens of the disease. Having clean and breathable indoor air is especially important for those individuals.
This is particularly the case for homes located in the Midwest, where environmental burdens may severely affect air quality.
What is the connection
Common indoor air pollutants like dust mites, mold, and pet dander are known to exacerbate asthma attacks. As many as 75 percent of U.S. Households intentionally use pesticides inside their homes. These chemicals can remain in the air long after application and lead to respiratory irritation.
Without proper ventilation, allergens from outside, such as pollen levels, and from inside, such as cooking fumes, can build up in homes and worsen symptoms. Ventilation systems are extremely important to controlling where air circulates. Systems that actively remove pollutants and keep moisture from accumulating help reduce mold growth—a common asthma trigger.
Why it matters in the Midwest
Midwest homes have their own challenges with extreme hot to extreme cold weather and everything in between. In colder months, the use of closed windows only serves to trap those pollutants, making indoor irritants even more severe.
High relative humidity in the summer contributes to mold creation, so you may need to use dehumidifiers to maintain humidity levels at 30-50 percent. Regionally tailored solutions such as regular vacuuming and proper ventilation go far in eliminating these concerns.
Benefits of Air Purification for Asthma
In combination with other mitigation efforts, air purifiers are an important tool that can help make a home a safe haven for people with asthma. They address the fundamental causes of poor indoor air. This action both lessens asthma triggers and supports respiratory health, leading to better quality of life and overall health.
Read below as we dig into how these devices can help to create a tangible impact at kitchen tables across the Midwest.
Reducing Common Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers can be effective at removing airborne pollutants such as pollen, mold spores, and smoke particles. Advanced units with HEPA filters can remove over 98% of airborne particles. They’re very efficient at capturing particles, including the smallest particles of 0.3 microns.
This is particularly important since this technology is one of the best at trapping pet dander and dust mites—two known asthma triggers. For pet owners, this translates to reduced allergens floating around in the air. Cleaner air means less frequent cleaning is needed, so dust can build up as much as 50% less.
Whether through direct treatment or exacerbated health conditions, over time the lowered exposure to irritants will help lower asthma-related health care costs.
Improving Overall Respiratory Health
Improving air quality directly impacts lung function through reduced exposure to harmful toxins. By eliminating common allergens and irritants from the air, air purifiers can help reduce respiratory problems and reduce the likelihood of asthma attacks.
Cleaner air quality promotes better sleep, as it can minimize nighttime coughing and congestion. A well-rested mind and body is better able to manage daily stressors, adding to overall health and wellness.
Enhancing Indoor Air Quality
Air purifiers like Trane’s CleanEffects Whole Home Air Cleaner can remove up to 99.98% of airborne particles, making your home a healthier place. For larger homes, the use of multiple air purifiers is appropriate, placing them in rooms such as bedrooms, living rooms, and family rooms.
Routine maintenance, including filter replacement, is key to keeping them effective. Certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Trane’s air purifiers offer proven asthma relief solutions for your home.
Types of Air Purifiers for Asthma
When developing a safe homes program focused on asthma care in the Midwest, selecting the best type of house air purifiers can significantly improve asthma outcomes. Understanding how these air purifiers work helps you choose a system that meets your household’s needs while effectively addressing indoor air quality problems and managing asthma triggers.
Mechanical Filters
Mechanical filters using HEPA technology are top of the line in removing large particles. HEPA filters are great at capturing allergenic particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. They are incredibly effective, removing at least 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 micrometers.
This makes them a consistently effective option for asthma sufferers. To maximize effectiveness, they need regular upkeep—like changing filters at least once a year, or more often if guidelines indicate so, per the manufacturer’s instructions.
For instance, a higher CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is preferable for bigger spaces to deliver filtered clean air faster and more efficiently.
Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filters are specifically designed to absorb odors, smoke, and VOCs that can worsen asthma symptoms. These filters work wonders in homes with smokers or intense cooking smells.
They need to be replaced often to maintain their efficacy. For homes with sensitive family members, this kind of filter can make a significant difference in air quality.
UV Air Purifiers
UV air purifiers use ultraviolet light to neutralize airborne pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. Although they don’t eliminate particles, UV systems not only kill viruses and bacteria but when used together with HEPA filters provide stronger protection overall.
This twofold strategy is particularly helpful for those with asthma, as it helps eliminate harmful irritants from the air. Regularly cleaning and maintaining the system is key to ensuring it operates consistently.
Ionic Air Purifiers
Ionic purifiers charge the particles in the air, making them cling to surfaces. They’re extremely effective at reducing fine PM. Unlike most air cleaning technologies, they can produce ozone as a byproduct, which can irritate sensitive individuals.
To maximize the benefits and minimize the risks, it will be important to use certified models with the least possible ozone production.
How to Choose the Right Air Purifier
Making your home asthma-friendly begins with choosing the right air purifier to fit your needs. The best choice for you will depend on a variety of factors, from technical specifications to everyday use.
Below, we take a closer look at some key features to look for, and how they can help you achieve the cleanest indoor air possible.
- Filter efficiency ratings
- Room size compatibility
- Certifications and safety standards
- Noise level and maintenance needs
- Energy efficiency
1. Check filter efficiency ratings
Filters that have high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings trap the smallest particles, including allergens and asthma irritants. HEPA filters are the most effective of all, trapping 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
Especially for asthma management, this level of filtration is enough to make a noticeable difference in exposure to dust, pollen, and smoke. Knowing how long filters last is just as important. Clogged filters defeat the purpose of using an air purifier and can worsen air quality.
2. Ensure compatibility with room size
Making sure you measure your room dimensions will help you find the right purifier for its size. Choose a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that matches your room size.
Use 200 cfm for small spaces, 200-300 cfm for medium rooms, and over 300 cfm for large expanses. Units that are too small will have a hard time completely cleaning the air.
3. Look for certifications and safety standards
Certifications such as the Asthma & Allergy Friendly seal or CARB approval show the product has gone through strict testing. These federal standards help guarantee the purifier is effective at removing the most harmful pollutants and safe to use.
For these reasons, certified units aid buyers in making more informed purchases.
4. Consider noise level and maintenance needs
Air purifiers that run louder than 55 dB will likely interfere with sleep or other daily activities. Models with easy-to-access filters make maintenance a breeze.
Less frequent upkeep helps maintain peak performance.
5. Evaluate energy efficiency
Energy-efficient house air purifiers—especially those certified through the ENERGY STAR program—reduce utility costs and help protect the environment while improving indoor air quality problems.
Placement and Maintenance of Air Purifiers
Proper placement and consistent maintenance of house air purifiers are critical for improving indoor air quality problems. These simple practices help ensure the device is working to its full potential, creating cleaner air and reducing asthma triggers, especially for asthmatic children. We’ve listed our best practices for placement, maintenance, and tracking performance to enhance asthma care.
Best Locations for Maximum Efficiency
Placement Where you put your air purifier can make a big difference in how effectively it can clean the air. Living rooms and family rooms get heavy use. These high-traffic areas tend to accumulate dust, pet dander, and other allergens.
To maximize its impact, position a purifier near windows or doors to trap pollutants before they enter from the outside. Consider airflow patterns in addition to air purifier placement and maintenance. For proper air circulation, place the unit in the center of the room or away from walls or furniture.
Don’t set it next to furniture or curtains, since these might obstruct airflow and affect performance. For bedrooms, plan to have a portable HEPA purifier close to the bed to provide relief overnight.
Cleaning and Replacing Filters Regularly
Filters are the heart of an air purifier. Dirty filters don’t just lead to an unhealthy air quality, they increase the load on the device’s fan leading to a big dip in efficiency.
Clean and/or replace filters according to manufacturer instructions, usually every 3-6 months. HEPA filters capture 99.97% of all airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. This is what makes them especially effective at controlling asthma.
A dirty filter can cut its particle removal effectiveness in half. That’s why having a regular maintenance schedule is so important. To maximize the effectiveness of the devices, use HEPA-compatible vacuum cleaners to lower the amount of allergens in your home.
Monitoring Performance Over Time
It’s important to track your air purifier’s performance so you can understand how effective it is and make any adjustments needed to improve performance. Several of the devices have built-in air quality monitors or can connect to apps that give real-time data.
Monitoring tools show clear reductions in particulate matter and chronic allergen levels. This data allows you to make more informed decisions about your indoor air quality.
If you start to see improvements stopping short, it could mean filters need replacing or your purifier needs to be moved to a new location. Smart air quality monitoring makes sure your purifier is regularly addressing your household’s needs as they change over time.
Additional Tips for an Asthma-Friendly Home
Whether through smoke-free policies or radon mitigation, improving indoor air quality is a key ingredient in stopping asthma before it starts. Beyond air purifiers, there are other smart strategies to make your home safer and healthier—especially here in the Midwest. This includes maintaining proper levels of humidity, decreasing dust, avoiding irritants and harsh chemicals, and utilizing allergen-proof materials.
Here are more in-depth tips on each of these steps.
Controlling Humidity Levels Indoors
Keeping the indoor humidity around 30-50% is best for limiting asthma triggers. Too much moisture creates mold and mildew, which can trigger respiratory symptoms.
Dehumidifiers are one of the best tools for keeping humidity between 30-50%, particularly in basements or other damp areas. For homes in the Midwest, where humidity swings are common, this step can be huge.
Using a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels can help you maintain proper humidity levels throughout the year.
Minimizing Dust Accumulation
Regular cleaning is the best policy when it comes to dust. Make sure to vacuum regularly, using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to trap fine particles like pet dander and other allergens.
Dusting with microfiber cloths traps more debris without sending it back into the air. Decluttering reduces surfaces where dust collects, improving both indoor air quality and asthma symptoms.
Washing bedding at least once a week in water hotter than 131°F kills any dust mites that have accumulated.
Avoiding Chemical-Based Cleaning Products
VOCs released from some household cleaners may increase airway irritation. Choose non-toxic options, such as vinegar or baking soda.
Items marked “low VOC” or “fragrance free” provide better options. Be sure to read every label to avoid hidden irritants.
This change plays a big part in making a less reactive home for people with asthma.
Using Allergen-Proof Bedding and Covers
Hypoallergenic bedding and encasements can be very effective in reducing dust mite exposure. These allergen-proof covers keep the irritants out of mattresses and pillows, allowing better quality sleep.
The best protection comes from washing bedding every week, and drying it outdoors in direct sunlight. For children with asthma, this can make a huge difference in alleviating nighttime symptoms.
Conclusion
Creating an asthma-friendly home is possible with the right air purifier and the right practices. Less air pollution reduces asthma triggers and helps everyone breathe easier. This is particularly true in Midwest households, where allergens and pollutants can build up indoors. Choose an air purifier that will meet your needs. Keep it well-maintained and place it strategically for maximum effectiveness. This is boosted further by small steps—such as increased cleaning and reducing other irritants.
Smart investment in air purification not only saves you money, but leaves you with a happier, healthier home. It’s not only for asthma—it’s for living well every day. Act now to protect your space and create a safe, breathable environment. The small investment of time now will pay dividends in comfort and safety for your family and friends for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of air purifier for asthma?
HEPA air purifiers are most effective for asthma care, as they capture microscopic allergens like dust, pollen, and pet dander, addressing indoor air quality problems. To ensure optimal performance, choose a purifier that is labeled ‘True HEPA’ for your new home.
