Top Quality Air Purifiers and Healthy Home Solutions that You Can Trust

Each spring, trees and other plants begin releasing pollen into the air. While spring allergies are fairly common, some years are much worse than others. So far, allergy season 2021 has been one of the worst in recent memory. Here's what you should know about why spring allergies have been so bad this year and what you can do to keep your allergies under control.  

Why Has the Allergy Season of 2021 Been So Bad?

  The bad allergy season so far is largely the result of the mild winter seen across most of the country. Mold that would normally die off in the winter months remained due to warmer temperatures. That, combined with unusually high levels of tree pollen, has set off severe allergies for many people. Even individuals who normally suffer from no allergies or very mild symptoms have had bad reactions this spring. So, if you've noticed abnormal allergic reactions in 2021, you're far from alone.   More broadly, the unusually bad allergy season ties back to climate change. As mentioned above, warmer winters are less likely to kill off allergy-inducing molds. Because winter temperatures are growing progressively warmer across large parts of the world, we can expect to see a continuance of bad allergy conditions in the coming years.   In addition to allowing more allergens to survive until spring, a warming climate can lengthen the annual allergy season. As winter temperatures arrive later and depart earlier, both fall and spring allergy seasons are extended. This can be a real problem for severe allergy sufferers, who now find themselves living with allergies for large portions of the year.  

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself From Seasonal Allergies

  When it comes to preventing allergies, one of the best things you can do is to use a HEPA air purifier in your home. This type of air purifier uses filters that can easily capture the pollen that causes seasonal allergic reactions. By using a high-quality air purifier, you can keep the pollen levels in your home to a minimum. To see some of our recommended units, check out our complete selection of air purifiers for allergies and asthma.   In addition to limiting the presence of pollen in your home, you can consider changes to your routine that will limit your exposure. Try to avoid outdoor exercise when pollen is at its peak, and keep your windows closed to avoid more pollen getting inside. If you suffer from severe enough allergies, you can also consider taking over the counter antihistamine medications, though these tend to make people feel drowsy.   If you have to be outside, you might also want to consider using the face mask you would normally wear to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Surgical masks can help to block some pollen from being inhaled. Since most of us have plenty of masks available these days, it makes sense to use them to reduce pollen exposure as well. Be aware, though, that wearing a mask will only help with respiratory allergies. Pollen will still get into your eyes and cause watering or itching, even with a mask.   If you have questions about how air purifiers can help you deal with your seasonal allergies, we're here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations.

As important as clean air is, we understand that not everyone has the money to buy a premium air purifier. Sometimes, what you need is an air purifier that will improve your air quality without blowing a hole in your bank account. Here's a brief buying guide for cheap air purifiers, plus some of our top budget-friendly picks.  

What to Look for in a Cheap Air Purifier

  Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't get a good unit for your money. Ideally, you should be looking for an air purifier that includes a HEPA filter for removing solid particles in your home air. It's also important to look at quality, since you'll want something that will last and not need to be replaced after a year of use. All-metal construction is usually a good indicator of high quality, though there are good air purifiers that use plastic parts as well.   Although you won't find too many frills on budget air purifiers, there are a few added features you can reasonably expect. Filter change reminder lights, for instance, can be found on several inexpensive air purifiers. It's also not uncommon to see dual-filter systems that use both HEPA and carbon filters. Even though they won't be able to filter quite as effectively as high-end purifiers, a decent budget air purifier should still do a good job of improving your home air quality.   Finally, you should be looking at an air purifier from a reputable brand. Off-brand air purifiers may be appealing based on their price points, but they're often of lower quality. If you buy an off-brand unit, it can also be difficult to find replacement filters when the time comes. So, it's usually best to spend a few extra dollars and get a good, brand name model.  

How Low Should Your Budget Go?

  While there are some air purifiers under $300 out there, they're mostly units meant for small spaces. If you're willing to expand your search to the $300-550 price range, however, you'll find some excellent models that can cover much larger spaces. So, if you're planning to buy an air purifier that will have a significant impact on your overall home air quality, it's best to look in this budget range.  

Our Top 4 Budget Air Purifiers

 

Rabbit Air Minus A2

The Rabbit Air Minus A2 is one of the best budget-friendly air purifiers on the market. Starting at $549.95, this air purifier can perform two air changes per hour in spaces of up to 700 square feet. Despite its low price, the Minus A2 offers excellent filtration capabilities. You'll find both carbon and HEPA filters on this unit, in addition to a pre-filter and medium filter to remove larger particles. This model features a mood light and can be wall mounted to save on floor space.  

Austin Air HealthMate Plus JR

Starting at $464.99, the Austin Air HealthMate Plus JR is a great air purifier under $500. With coverage for up to 700 square feet and the same high-quality metal construction you'll find on Austin Air's higher end models, the HealthMate Plus JR is a cheap air purifier that still delivers quality and reliability. In it, you'll find HEPA and carbon filters, plus an efficient 360-degree air intake system. This air purifier does a very good job of focusing on chemicals and odors, making it a low-budget option for people dealing with chemical sensitivities.  

Amaircare 2500

Like the HealthMate JR, the Amaircare 2500 features all-metal construction and a 360-degree air intake. This air purifier, rated for up to 1,250 square feet, starts at $519. It is equipped with both HEPA and carbon filters, as well as a basic pre-filter. This air purifier is a great choice for dealing with solids such as pollen, pet dander and dust.  

Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0

Finally, there's the Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0, a modern and aesthetically appealing air purifier starting at just $369.95. Like the Minus A2, the BioGS 2.0 uses both HEPA and carbon filters for maximum coverage. This model performs two air changes each hour in spaces of up to 550 square feet. This is also an ultra-quiet air purifier that's great for offices and study spaces.   As you can see, there are several cheap air purifiers that are still of very high quality. Have questions about which air purifier is right for you? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations.  

   

One of the most defining features of 2020 was the nearly ubiquitous use of lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19. In addition to helping reduce the toll of the virus, though, these lockdowns had a number of unintended consequences. While many of those consequences were negative, at least one positive outcome existed in the form of air quality improvements. According to recently published research, approximately 84 percent of the world's countries saw improvements in air quality last year.   The recent report, created by IQAir, compared air quality in 2020 with data from 2019 to analyze the effects of pandemic-related lockdowns on air pollution. The main target of the research was fine particulate matter, a major pollutant associated with both vehicular and industrial emissions.   In addition to striking improvements at the nationwide level, the report also found that a substantial majority of large cities saw air quality rise as fewer people commuted to and from work during lockdowns. 65 percent of the cities analyzed saw better air quality in 2020 than in 2019.   Despite the good news on air quality in 2020, there were still substantial setbacks. Events that created large amounts of airborne pollution, most notably wildfires, worked against improvements caused by the lockdowns in some areas. Heavy manufacturing economies in East Asia, especially China, India and Pakistan, also continue to suffer under disproportionately high levels of fine particulate matter compared to Western countries.   It's also worth noting that many of these gains will be temporary. With vaccines now being distributed rapidly in the US and abroad, it's likely that COVID-19 restrictions will begin to fall away very soon. California, for example, recently announced its goal of lifting all remaining restrictions by June 15th. As restrictions begin to drop across the world, it's very likely that emissions will once again rise to their pre-pandemic levels.   Nevertheless, the strong gains in air quality that were made last year show that it is possible to significantly reduce global emissions in relatively short periods of time. Going forward, data from the pandemic lockdowns could help policymakers craft new regulations to help address the growing problem of low air quality worldwide.   Have questions about how air purifiers can help keep you and your family safe from the harmful effects of air pollution in your area? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations based on your needs. Also be sure to check out our complete selection of home air purifiers that can help to remove harmful contaminants from your home air.

For more than a year, COVID-19 has been circulating widely throughout the world. As springtime rolls around again, more and more people are wondering how they can tell the difference between ordinary seasonal allergies and the early symptoms of COVID-19. Here's what you need to know about the differences between COVID-19 and allergy symptoms.  

What Symptoms Define Early COVID-19?

  One of the most difficult things about COVID-19 is the fact that it can have such a broad range of symptoms and severity levels. The most common symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue and a dry cough. In many cases, people suffering from COVID-19 also experience loss of taste or smell, which is one of the tell-tale symptoms of the disease.  

Does COVID-19 Share Any Symptoms With Seasonal Allergies?

  There are some symptoms of COVID-19 that also occur as a result of seasonal pollen allergies. Congestion, coughing and headaches are all symptoms the two conditions can share. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult to distinguish between early, mild symptoms of COVID-19 and ordinary allergies.  

How Can You Tell the Difference?

  The most critical symptom for distinguishing between allergies and COVID-19 is the presence of a fever. Allergic reactions don't produce fevers, but about 99 percent of COVID-19 cases do. If your cough or headache is associated with a new fever, it's important to contact your medical provider to discuss proper testing and quarantine measures.   Sneezing is also a major factor in distinguishing between the two. Sneezing generally isn't associated with COVID-19, but it's an extremely common symptom of allergies. If you are sneezing and aren't running a fever, there's a very good chance you're just experiencing seasonal allergic reactions. If your symptoms include a fever, fatigue or loss of taste or smell, contact your medical provider immediately.   If in doubt, it's still best to contact your medical provider to ask about your symptoms and discuss the possibility of scheduling a COVID-19 test. Even though vaccines are now being distributed and the pandemic seems to be coming under control, it's still very important to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to slow the spread of the disease.  

Air Purifiers for COVID-19 and Allergies

  In addition to some shared symptoms, COVID-19 and allergies have one other thing in common: both of them can be combated with HEPA air purifiers. HEPA filters have long been used to remove pollen in home air as a way of keeping seasonal allergies under control. More recently, research has shown that HEPA filters are capable of capturing virus-sized particles, making them an important tool in the fight against COVID-19.   To learn more, check out our blog post about air purifiers for coronavirus, as well as our complete lineup of air purifiers for allergies.   Have questions about how air purifiers can help you keep your home air clean and healthy? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations based on your unique needs.

If cities act on the recommendations of the Imperial College of London, you may soon be seeing curved barriers installed along city streets. Researchers at the noted college recently discovered that barriers curved toward the road could help to limit pollution on sidewalks.   According to the researchers, air pollution can accumulate along sidewalks due to air currents that move pollutants from the street. In some cases, the pollution can get trapped and linger in areas with little air movement, creating hazardous air quality levels. Even when this doesn't happen, though, pollutants being blown onto sidewalks from the street present a health hazard for pedestrians and cyclists on the roadside.   To address this problem, researchers began investigating the possibility of using curved barriers along roads to deflect air pollution away from pedestrians. The idea was inspired by roadside barriers used in other parts of Europe to reduce noise pollution from traffic.   According to the findings presented by the researchers, installing these curved barriers rapidly improved air quality on sidewalks and in roadside areas. The barriers reflected air currents from the road back toward vehicles, reducing the amount of particulate matter that reached the sidewalk.   In addition to improving roadside air quality, the barriers could be used to grow vining plants. As a result, the barriers could contribute to beautifying cities in which they are installed.   These barriers represent a simple and inexpensive way to reduce air pollution exposure in busy cities. By installing them, cities like London would be able to provide cleaner, healthier air to those who commute by walking. This kind of innovative approach to the problem of air pollution is extremely important, as the health impacts of low air quality call for immediate solutions. Cost and difficulty, though, often foil more complicated solutions. Since many cities have some kind of barrier between sidewalks and roads anyway, this solution would simply require updating an existing piece of city infrastructure.   Although the problem of urban air pollution is a complex one that will take coordinated efforts to address, there are some things you can do to protect yourself today. One of the best solutions is to use a home air purifier that can remove common pollutants from the air your breathe in your house. With a good air purifier, you can control your home air quality, though you'll still be exposed to outdoor pollutants whenever you leave home.   You can also limit your air pollution exposure by avoiding outdoor activity during peak traffic times. If you're living in a crowded urban area, it's best to avoid being beside a street during rush hour. These peak traffic times are the worst for air quality, though ideas like the curved barriers developed by Imperial College could soon reduce the risk. Until these ideas are adopted, though, it's best to avoid crowded streets when traffic is at its worst.   Have more questions about air quality and how an air purifier can help you reduce pollutants in your home? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll be happy to help you find the right air purifier for your needs.