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

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.    

If you live in an apartment, you may have wondered about the air quality in your building. Unlike single family homes, apartment buildings share HVAC systems between units, meaning that air quality issues in one apartment can affect others nearby. Here's what you need to know about air purifiers for apartments and which ones we recommend.  

Why Should You Be Using an Air Purifier in Your Apartment?

  If you've lived in an apartment for any length of time, it may not surprise you to learn that multi-unit buildings often have very low air quality. A number of different factors play into this, but poor circulation and distribution of fresh air seems to be the main culprit. Because fresh air is distributed unevenly within a building, certain units are more prone to low air quality than others. Specifically, units on the lowest floors are susceptible to the buildup of contaminants because of stagnant air. Lower units also tend to accumulate humidity, raising the risk of mold growth.   In addition to circulation issues, apartment buildings multiply the sources of indoor air pollution you're being exposed to. If your building features gas stoves, for example, you're potentially being exposed to the fine particulate matter produced by every stove in your building, not just your own.   As you can see, apartments have some unique issues when it comes to air quality. As a result, it's usually a good idea to use an air purifier in your apartment. Even if you live in a smaller building that isn't as prone to these problems, a good air purifier can increase your air quality and help you breathe cleaner, healthier air every day.  

What Kind of Air Purifier Is Best in an Apartment?

  Because apartments can be exposed to so many different kinds of contaminants, it's best to use an all-purpose air purifier. This means a unit that is equipped with both HEPA and carbon filters, as these will capture particles and harmful gases, respectively. It's also best to choose an air purifier with a relatively high air flow capacity, since this will allow it to cycle the air in your apartment through more times per hour.  

Best Air Purifiers for Apartments

 

Airpura R600

Airpura's all-purpose workhorse model, the Airpura R600 is a great choice for almost any kind of residential use. The R600 is rated for spaces of up to 2,000 square feet, making it a good fit for use in larger apartments. If your apartment is smaller, though, this model is still an option you should consider.  

Amaircare 3000 VOC

Featuring both HEPA and carbon filters, the Amaircare 3000 VOC is well-equipped to handle gases, odors and particulate contaminants in your apartment. This model features all-metal construction, relatively quiet high-efficiency fans and a convenient filter change reminder light on its dashboard that takes the guesswork out of filter maintenance.  

Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0

Although there are many air purifiers that are great for use in apartments, not all of them will necessarily look good with your existing home decor. That's where the Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 comes into play. This air purifier is designed specifically to fit in with almost any modern design style. In addition to looking good, the BioGS 2.0 is a fairly powerful unit equipped with both HEPA and carbon filters. It also features an ultra-quiet setting, making it a good option if you need an air purifier in your bedroom.   While your building may have low overall air quality, using an air purifier in your apartment can help you protect yourself from the worst indoor air contaminants. Have more questions about air purifiers for apartments? 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.    

Going into the spring and summer months, many of us face sinus problems that make it difficult and uncomfortable to breathe.  One of the common questions we see asked about air purification is "can air purifiers help with sinus problems?" In this article, we'll explore what actually causes sinus issues and how using an air purifier in your home may be able to help.  

What Causes Sinus Problems?

  Sinus inflammation, more formally known as sinusitis, can have a range of different causes. In many cases, sinusitis is brought on by bacterial infections that cause sinus tissue to become sensitive and inflamed. Other causes can include mold and viruses.   Where air purifiers really come into play, though, is when sinus problems are caused by seasonal allergies. In addition to causing sinus inflammation directly, allergies can create better conditions for the sinuses to become infected by bacteria. As a result, seasonal allergies and bacterial sinusitis are often, though not always, connected.  

Will an Air Purifier Help Your Sinus Problems?

  To some extent, an air purifier may be able to prevent or mitigate your sinus problems. By limiting the amount of pollen you're exposed to at home, an air purifier with a HEPA filter can reduce the likelihood of experiencing allergic sinusitis and secondary bacterial infection associated with allergies. It's important to remember that you'll still be exposed to pollen whenever you leave the home, so using an air purifier isn't a hard-and-fast guarantee against allergic reactions. It is, however,  an effective way to reduce your exposure.   It's also important to note that the ability of an air purifier to help with sinus infections is purely preventative. If you already have a bacterial sinus infection, an air purifier won't be able to reduce the symptoms caused by bacteria multiplying in your nasal passages. What an air purifier can do, though, is to reduce symptoms brought on by exposure to allergens and therefore prevent those symptoms from making you more vulnerable to a bacterial infection.  

What Are the Best Air Purifiers for Seasonal Allergies?

  As we've already touched on, you'll need an air purifier with a HEPA filter to address seasonal allergies caused by pollen. Below, you'll find a few of our top picks in this category. For more options, browse our complete selection of air purifiers for allergies.  

Amaircare 3000 HEPA

With a large air flow capacity, durable metal construction and a convenient silent mode, the Amaircare 3000 HEPA is a natural choice for home air purification. This unit is highly recommended for dealing with pollen, dust, mold, hair and other particles commonly found in home air.  

Airpura H600

Thanks to a maximum delivered air flow rate of 480 cubic feet per minute, the Airpura H600 is a great choice for use in larger spaces. This model is designed specifically to help those suffering with severe allergies and asthma. An optional carbon weave filter can also be added to this model to filter out basic gases and odors in the home.  

Austin Air Allergy Machine

Another unit designed to help allergy sufferers, the Austin Air Allergy Machine is a high-capacity model that comes equipped with both HEPA and carbon filters. The unit's 4-stage air filtering does a great job of removing pollutants, including seasonal pollen, from home air. Thanks to its 360-degree air intake, this unit is capable of moving and filtering air quite quickly.   So, while they can't guarantee relief from your seasonal sinus issues, air purifiers may be able to help prevent the worst of them by limiting your exposure to spring and summer pollen. Have more questions about how air purifiers can help you breathe cleaner, healthier air? 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.