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

Every industry has myths associated with it. In many cases, these myths are tidbits of information with some factual basis that are either incomplete or outdated. The air purifier industry is no different, and modern consumers encounter all kinds of myths surrounding home air purifiers. Today, we'll debunk five of the top air purifier myths  

1. Air Purifiers Dry Out the Air

  One of the most common air purifier myths out there is that an air purifier will make your home air too dry. We actually dedicated an entire blog post to this topic some time ago, but it's a myth we still see floating around. Many users believe that air purifiers take moisture out of the air, leaving it dry and potentially causing respiratory irritation. The truth, though, is that air purifiers don't have a way to take moisture out of the air. Filters don't absorb water vapor, and there's nowhere in an air purifier for moisture to be retained. If the air in your house is too dry for comfort, though, you can use a personal humidifier with your air purifier for greater comfort.  

2. Air Purifiers Are Expensive to Run

  While it's true that an air purifier will add to your electric bills, many people overestimate how much it costs to run one. In truth, an air purifier is a fairly small appliance that operates efficiently and doesn't consume too much electricity. There are even several Energy Star certified air purifiers that meet high governmental efficiency standards. So, while it isn't free to run an air purifier, you shouldn't be too concerned about adding to your utility bills by using one in your home.  

3. Air Purifiers Are Noisy

  This is one of those myths that has some real basis in truth. Older air purifiers could be quite noisy and produce an obnoxious humming. Even today, some air purifiers still put off a decent amount of background noise, though they are still much better than the air purifiers of 20 years ago. With that said, there are many other air purifiers that can run nearly silently. If noise is a major concern, be sure to check the noise level rating on any model you're thinking about buying. Almost all modern air purifiers will have a specified noise rating in decibels, and many even have a separate rating for each fan speed. With this information, it's easy to find an air purifier that will meet your needs.  

4. Air Purifier Maintenance Is Difficult

  Like most home appliances, your air purifier does require a certain amount of maintenance. That said, maintaining one is actually very simple and requires very little time. The most important aspect of air purifier maintenance is changing filters on time. Every manufacturer has a recommended filter change schedule for their units. By following this schedule, you can keep your air purifier running properly. Many air purifiers have a filter change indicator light that will conveniently let you know when it's time to replace the filter. You can also use our Filter Change Reminder tool to track your changes and order your filters when it's time for new ones.  

5. You Have to Spend a Lot of Money to Get a Good Air Purifier

  The final air purifier myth we need to dispel is the idea that air purifiers are only for people with lots of money to spend. We believe that cleaner home air should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. Of course, higher-end air purifiers do cost more money. However, there are several air purifiers under $300 that will let you enjoy cleaner air without breaking the bank.   While these certainly aren't all the air purifier myths out there, they are among the most common. Have other questions about air purifiers or which one is right for you? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us for answers and personalized product recommendations based on your unique needs.    

The holidays are coming up again, and that means that it's time to start thinking about gifts for loved ones! While you may never have thought of an air purifier as a gift item before, it actually makes a great present under many circumstances. To help you pick out the right unit for your friends or family members, we've put together a basic gift giving guide. Keep reading to learn how you should pick out an air purifier and see some great units that could make the perfect gift!  

Step 1: Set Your Budget

  Like any gift, you need to know what you're prepared to spend on an air purifier. Based on brand, features, filter type and capacity, air purifiers can run the gamut in terms of price. If you're on a budget, you can choose from a variety of air purifiers under $300 that will help deliver cleaner air in small spaces. If you don't mind spending a bit more, you can find a wide selection of home air purifiers that will suit just about any situation.  

Step 2: Consider the Need

  Next, you should think about why your chosen recipient needs an air purifier. If the purpose of the gift is to give a general-use air purifier for all-around cleaner air, a good unit with HEPA and carbon filtration will do the trick nicely. Some units to think of in this category include the Airpura R600, Rabbit Air Minus A2 and Austin Air HealthMate.   If the recipient has a more specific need, you may need a more specialized air purifier. Someone who's susceptible to respiratory infections, for instance, might benefit from a UV air purifier that can neutralize airborne bacteria and viruses. Someone with heavy chemical sensitivities would likely do best with the Airpura G600DLX, an air purifier designed specifically for maximum filtering of chemicals and VOCs. Whatever specific reason your friend or relative may have for needing an air purifier, there are models out there to support that need.  

Step 3: Think About the Space

  The size of the space an air purifier will be used in is also a key factor in picking one out. If you're giving a general-purpose air purifier to a student living in a dorm or small apartment, for instance, you might consider the Airfree line of filterless air purifiers. For larger spaces, consider a unit with a higher CFM airflow rating. The more volume of air an air purifier can move in a given time, the larger a space it can effectively be used in.  

Step 4: Decide on Additional Features

  Finally, you should think about extra features the recipient might want. A filter change indicator light, for example, is an extremely convenient feature that prevents the owner from having to manually track filter change schedules. If you think the recipient will need to move the air purifier regularly, rolling casters can make the job much easier. Small features like these add convenience and functionality, so they're worth considering before you buy.  

Who Should You Gift Air Purifiers To?

  An air purifier can be a good gift for just about anyone, but there are a few groups of people who will benefit most from them. First and foremost, people who suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory illnesses will benefit from the gift of cleaner air. Older relatives are also prime recipients, since the right air purifier can help them stay healthy. An air purifier is also a good choice for college students living in dorms, since it may help them avoid getting sick while living in tight quarters with other students.   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 product recommendations. If you just can't decide, consider letting your loved one do the work of choosing for you! US Air Purifiers offers both electronic and physical gift certificates. Just decide on the amount and how it will be delivered, and the recipient can choose his or her own air purifier!

Depression has been one of the most sharply increasing mental health disorders of the last several decades. Today, major depressive disorder affects approximately 7 percent of the US population in any given year. While the causes of depression are complex and not fully understood, a growing body of research has pointed to links between depression and air pollution. Recently, a new study shed light on how air pollution may lead to higher rates of depression.   In that study, researchers examined a group of healthy participants residing in Beijing, a city known for its relatively high levels of air pollution. Using air quality monitors, the researchers were able to estimate the participants' exposure to PM 2.5, or fine particulate matter. Participants were then evaluated for signs of depression, as well as tested for overall cognitive performance.   In addition to bearing out the already established link between depression, lower cognitive performance and air quality, the study identified a possible mechanism by which pollution could increase the risk of depression. The researchers found that individuals with a genetic predisposition toward major depressive disorder were much more likely to develop it if exposed to higher levels of PM 2.5. Air pollution also appears to act on and cause inflammation within neural networks in which depression-associated genes are expressed. This combination of genetic proclivity and environmental stimulus may help to explain increasing rates of depression, as well as why some people living in heavily polluted areas develop depression while others remain mentally healthy.   While much more research is needed to fully understand the link between depression and air pollution, this study represents a major step forward in that effort. In the future, its results may also help those who are at the highest genetic risk of depression protect themselves proactively from environmental risk factors, including air pollution.   For now, the best thing people living in polluted areas can do to reduce their health risks from particulate matter, VOCs and other pollutants is to use a home air purifier. By controlling the air quality in your home, you can limit your exposure to harmful pollutants. Check out our complete selection of home air purifiers to find the model that's right for your needs.   Have questions about air purifiers? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us for answers and personalized product recommendations based on your needs.    

In early fall, many people begin experiencing seasonal allergies as a result of ragweed pollen. As the fall goes on, though, those allergies persist, even though the pollen subsides. This is usually because of a second contributing factor: mold. Mold allergies are an ofter-overlooked component of seasonal allergic reactions. Here's what you need to know about fall mold allergies and what you can do to keep your symptoms minimal.  

What Triggers Fall Mold Allergies?

  While people with mold allergies can have reactions at any time, there are a large number of potential triggers associated with late fall. First and foremost, fallen leaves dampened by autumn rains offer the perfect conditions for growing mold. As the leaves begin to decompose, they become more and more conducive to mold growth.   While leaves are the major drivers of mold allergies in the autumn, there are also other sources. Rotting pumpkins, for example, are often covered in mold. Likewise, cornstalks displayed as decorations can start to grow mold when they get wet.   It's important to understand, though, that it isn't the mold itself that triggers respiratory allergies. Instead, it's the spores that molds release in order to reproduce. When a person with mold allergies breathes in these spores, he or she can develop coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and other common allergy symptoms.  

How to Control Mold Allergies

  As with all allergies, the key to controlling mold allergies is to limit exposure to the allergen. In this case, that means having less exposure to mold spores. People who suffer from mold allergies can control their symptoms by spending less time outdoors, particularly during and immediately after the autumn rainy season. If you have moderate to severe mold allergies, it's also a good idea to have someone else rake and bag the leaves in your yard. Raking leaves can stir up mold spores, which in turn tends to aggravate mold allergies.   To help keep spores away, you can also use a home air purifier with a HEPA filter. Mold spores are large enough for HEPA filter material to capture quite effectively. For even more protection, you can consider using an air purifier that also features a UV lamp. UV light has the ability to neutralize biological contaminants in the air, including mold spores. To find the right unit for your needs, browse out complete selection of air purifiers for mold.   While fall mold allergies can be unpleasant, they are manageable as long as you can avoid the spores that trigger them. Simple behavioral changes are often enough to keep allergies under control. If you suffer from allergies that last after the ragweed pollen is largely gone, consider using an air purifier and avoiding mold sources to help minimize your symptoms.

For people who are new to using air cleaning systems, it can be difficult to figure out which technologies are the most effective. As a result, there's often some confusion about various types of air cleaners. Two technologies people new to this field sometimes confound are ozone generators and air purifiers. Here's what you should know about ozone generators vs. air purifiers as a consumer.  

The Quick View

  To get the most important part out of the way early, we'd like to quickly state that there's a massive difference between air purifiers and ozone generators. Air purifiers are devices that use various filtration mechanisms to remove impurities from the air. While some purifiers work better than others, the basic principle of filtering contaminants out of the air using specialized filter media is both effective and scientifically sound.   Ozone generators, on the other hand, have questionable effectiveness and are likely harmful to human health. Although beneficial for filtering out the sun's rays, ozone is quite dangerous when breathed in. Ozone generator manufacturers suggest that ozone can react with indoor air pollutants, effectively neutralizing them. The truth, though, is that these reactions take a long time to occur. In the meantime, ozone generators expose users to a harmful gas that can have severe long-term health effects. In fact, misrepresentation of ozone generators' effectiveness is such a large problem that the EPA maintains an informational page detailing their lack of efficacy and potential health risks.  

Ozone Generators vs. Air Purifiers

  Ozone generators intentionally create ozone gas, usually by ionizing oxygen molecules already present in air in order to promote their combination into triatomic O3, commonly referred to as ozone. Manufacturers of these devices claim that ozone present in the air can react with common pollutants and render them neutral.   Air purifiers, on the other hand, use some kind of filter to capture contaminants. The two most common filter types are HEPA, which captures tiny, solid particles, and activated carbon, which can trap gaseous contaminants like VOCs. Many air purifiers combine more than one type of filter, allowing them to capture multiple classes of contaminants. These devices have been proven effective for removing many common impurities in indoor air.  

Why Don't Ozone Generators Work?

  On paper, ozone generators seem like a good idea. Ozone reacts with many types of contaminants, and it is even used commercially to purifier water and air in unoccupied spaces. The problem, however, is that the concentrations of ozone required to achieve any kind of air cleaning usually exceed the safe limits for ozone exposure. In other words, an ozone generator must produced a dangerously high level of ozone before it can do much about other air pollutants.   It's also extremely difficult to control exposure levels when using an ozone generator. While some manufacturers claim that their ozone generators operate within safe levels, the EPA cautions consumers against using ozone generators for air cleaning in occupied spaces.  

How Harmful Is Ozone to Human Health?

  Ozone is a respiratory irritant. Common symptoms of ozone exposure include headaches, coughing and shortness of breath. With prolonged exposure, risk of developing asthma increases. While the effects of ozone depend on the level and duration of exposure, inhaling the gas in high concentrations is considered dangerous.   As you can tell, it's important to choose the right air cleaning technology when you decide to clean up your home air. We hope this explanation of ozone generators vs. air purifiers has helped to dispel some of the myths surrounding the purported benefits of ozone in the home. If you're interested in using a safe, effective air cleaning solution, feel free to browse our selection of high-quality home air purifiers.   Have questions? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us for answers and personalized product recommendations based on your unique needs.