Image by The Sierra Club via Flickr

With spring allergy season here, many allergy and asthma sufferers may be thinking about getting an air filter purifier for the first time. If you are thinking about getting an air filter, you’ll be pleased to know that these machines are quieter, more convenient and even more powerful than ever. Best of all you’ll enjoy better breathing, a higher quality of air, improved vitality, sounder sleep, stronger focus and deeper relaxation during the day. Yes, an air filter has many benefits. But buying one may seem kind of overwhelming to some. There are so many to choose from. And they do so many different things. How do you pick the right one? Let’s talk about some things you should know before you go shopping for that first air filter.

Air filters work by cleaning the air in a location rapidly a certain number of times every hour. Now different machines will give you a different number – but often the number is high (like 10 times an hour) as these machines work quickly. The key to remember always with an air filter is that they will only clean a certain space according to width and length. That they just can’t clean any size of a location. So you need to get the air filter machine ideal for the space you need it for. You don’t need to get a “bigger” machine for the area you want, thinking it will do a better job. Air filters today are quite strong and the machine suited for your specific area will work perfectly. Simply measure the room or area and use these measurement as you go shopping. If you don’t have a tape measure. Walk the room with average steps and most of your steps are about a foot in length for a 6 foot or shorter person. if you are taller, consider your steps to be larger and adjust the measurements.

Some air filters purify some irritants and other do not. This confuses shoppers as some think that an air filter is an air filter. But there are quite a number of different machines available today. Some air filters will remove pollen from the air. Others will remove mold spores and dust. Some can remove bacteria. Others can remove smoke (like cigarette smoke). Check the label or box to see exactly what this machine does and if it meets your needs. Each person has certain desires for their air filter. The person allergic to cats may want it to remove pet dander and not be concerned with other needs. Someone whose mother in law smokes and visits occasionally may want it to remove smoke. Or someone with severe allergies may want it to do everything. Again, you want to find the air filter machine that meets your needs. The best way to do this is to read the label.

Your air filter machine is going to work best when you follow the instructions. This sounds very simple but you’d be surprised at the folks who just ignore this. If your air filter’s instructions say to replace the air filter every three months, then follow this guideline. It is there to assist you with your allergy or asthma. If your air filter machine has certain suggestions about where to put it, then follow these guidelines. Some air filters will say not to put anything on top of them. Your air filter is a busy machine, working at purifying the air. It does not need to be a place you keep a potted plant or your library books. Let your air filter do its job and it will do its job quite well for you. The more you follow the instructions, the better a job it will do for you.

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As the holiday season will soon be here, now is the time to think about planning and preparation. You are probably having family or friends to visit for the holidays. It is a fun and enjoyable time to have friends and family visit – but are you truly a gracious host? One of the best things you can provide your friends and family with is a HEPA air filter purifier for your guest room.

If you already enjoy an air filter, you know how well it works and exactly why you like having it. Having your air filter can help keep allergens at bay, ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers. It can also purify the air, letting adults and children sleep sounder and wake refreshed and relaxed. An air filter can remove cigarette smoke, pet dander, cooking smells and so many other things you simply don’t want in your lungs. Once you have an air filter, you truly don’t want to do without.

That’s exactly why a good host provides an air filter for their guests. They know the ease and comfort an air filter gives during the day and night. Not only for allergy and asthma sufferers – but for everyone. An air filter is easy to use, simply show them how to turn it on, off or higher and lower and they’ll know how to operate it. Remind them not to place things on top of the air filter like a soda can or clothing.

One of the best things about providing an air filter in the guest room is knowing that your family and friends will get deep and restful sleep. If they have never experienced using an air filter before, this may be a bit surprising to them. This will be a great treat for them to enjoy a natural and restorative evening breathing purified air. It may even encourage them to get air filters for their home, knowing they’ll always sleep that way. For the allergy or asthma sufferer, they will be especially touched you have an air filter as this means they can breathe easier staying with you. But even for someone without allergies or asthma, an air filter can be a great comfort.

You already know that an air filter is not a luxury, it is a necessity. You use your air filter every day and it brings comfort and great ease to your life. So it would make sense that you would want your guests to enjoy that very same comfort and ease. Giving them this experience in your home is truly being a good host in every sense of the word. The good host always wants their guests to be at home in their home and to feel comfortable during their stay.

The only challenge when you provide an air filter to guests? They may feel so comfortable, they won’t want to leave! But if they are your family and friends, you’ll always be glad to have them stay awhile.

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“Trick or Treat!” is one of our favorite sayings at Halloween time. Children love saying it when they demand candy at the door. The possibility that they would do some type of silly trick if they don’t get candy – makes the evening seem even more silly. Having the children be in charge instead of the adults. But with your air filter you don’t want to play “Trick or Treat,” wondering if it is going to work or not. Here are a few helpful tips to keep that air filter always a real treat to have, especially during the fall allergy season.

Have extra air filters on hand. This is one of our most important tips and we’ve given it before. We’re giving it again, it’s that critical for you to know. You always want to have a clean, fresh air filter ready to put into your air purifier machine. You don’t want to be put in the situation of running out of air filters when you are suffering from allergies or asthma. Who needs to be uncomfortable when your air filter can be so helpful, especially during the fall allergy season? Having those extra air filters on hand can really make a big difference.

Don’t stack things on top of your air filter. We know it is so easy for you to stack or drape things on top of things in any room. That stationary bicycle becomes the perfect place to drape the next morning’s outfit. The top of the television is the best place to put your library books to return tomorrow. Before you know it, you’ve got all kinds of stacks all over the place! The one place you really don’t want to stack is your air filter. This is a hardworking and sensitive machine. Don’t get in its way while it is trying to do its job for you. Treat your air filter with respect and it will always work hard for you. Treat it like a towel rack and the towel may get in the way of the air filter’s job. You always want your air filter to be able to give you its best performance, not to be trying to do two things at once.

Keep the air filter in a convenient place. One of the best places you can keep your air filter? Where it isn’t going to get in your way. For each of us that’s a different place. Some of us that may be a corner of the room. For some that may be right next to your closet. Whatever your choice you want to be sure it is away enough from the wall to work and not too close to other furniture so it has a clear path to clean the air. Look around your room for that free spot or where you can move furniture to find that clear spot for it. You’ll find a good place for it.

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I have a confession to make: I didn’t follow my own advice. You may remember from previous blogs that I’ll encourage you to order your air filter refills ahead of time – so you aren’t without your home air purifier.

Well I got busy and simply forgot to order my air filter refill! And by the time I realized I needed a refill, the current air filter was finished. So I decided to take the days it would take for my air filter to come as an opportunity: what would life be like without my air filter?

photo credit: gogoloopie

I think one of the biggest things I noticed was my sleep. I had more trouble settling down and going to sleep without the air filter. When I woke up, I also seemed less rested.

The other thing I noticed – and I’ve never seen any other research to back this up – was that my air-conditioned room seemed less cool. Somehow, when the air filter and the air conditioning were running together, I could put the air conditioner on “low” and the room would be frosty cold. But without the air filter, often I’d need to crank it up to “high” to get that same effect. With my air filter there have been times – even in these very hot NorthEast summer days (90 plus degree heat and humidity) where I had turned my air conditioner off and just let the air filter run on its own. Again, I’ve seen no other research mentioned on that. But I thought it was a very interesting thing to notice.

The air in my room seemed “okay” but lost a lot of the crispness I was used to. Things like cooking smells from the kitchen would waft into my room. Not unpleasant smells, just things that the air filter normally would filter out.

When my new air filter refill came, I happily popped it into my unit and turned it on. I was somewhat relieved this “experiment” was over – as I already knew what I’d assumed: life with your air filter is far more pleasant. I sleep deeper and feel more comfortable.

And you’ll be relieved to know I did follow my own advice and ordered two air filter refills at the same time. So I’ve got a backup waiting for me. No more “experiments” for me!

You don’t need to run this experiment to know that an air filter gives you great benefits. And don’t put yourself in the position where you’ve run out of air filters and you have to go without. Order two or three air filters at once – you’ll also save on shipping and handling costs! It’s a great convenience knowing you’ve got your air filter refills waiting for you, ready to use. This past week has been an experience I wouldn’t want to repeat any time soon.

Try these helpful tips to keep you from experimenting:

Ordering an air filter machine for the first time? Order two air filter refills at the same time. You’ll likely be replacing the air filter every three months or so, depending on use. Your machine should come with one air filter refill – and those two air filters will get you through most of the coming year.

Need an air filter refill? Order several at a time. We suggest ordering two to four at a time. You’ll save on shipping and handling. Four air filter refills and you’ll have enough air filter refills to get through the coming year (depending on usage). Keep them in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures.

Write down your air filter machine number and the air filter refill number in your address book and other convenient locations. This way you’re always ready to reorder quickly. Many put off reordering because they just don’t have this information at their fingertips. Get organized and you’ll be glad you’ve got it exactly where you need it!

For allergy and asthma sufferers – the hot summer weather can be brutal. Trying to stay cool is important during the summer. Your air filter can help you to be more comfortable during the summer months – if you help it to do a good job for you.

Stay properly hydrated. Many people are dehydrated without realizing it. Caffeinated soda, coffee and tea actually do not hydrate you but dehydrate you – making you feel more thirsty and sometimes other symptoms of dehydration like tired or a headache. The best “energy drink” especially during the summer is water. Be sure to drink plenty of water and carry a bottle of water with you on-the-go so you’ve always got some to drink. Staying hydrated is a key step to helping your body stay cool in the heat.

Use fans or your air conditioner. If you have a fan or air conditioner, summertime is the ideal time to use these. You don’t have to run up a huge electric bill, running them on “high” all the time. Wear light and loose clothing indoors and don’t sleep with blankets. Keep windows and doors closed as you run the fan or air conditioner to keep your home cool.

Running your air filter will give you cleaner air to breathe and will make you more comfortable overall. Remember to clean the air filter in your air conditioner and to gently wipe down the blades of your fan (unplugged) so you aren’t circulating dust into the air. This tip alone will have you beating the heat and feeling much more comfortable in the summertime with your allergies and asthma. Try to keep an extra air filter on hand so if you want to change air filters, you don’t have to wait for one to be delivered – you’ve got one readily available to you easily and quickly.

Eat light and cool meals. Most people don’t want to cook much during the summer. Take advantage of all of the yummy summer fruits and vegetables. Eat cold summer salads with protein in them. Lighter meals will help you stay cool.

By staying cool your allergies and asthma will likely feel more comfortable. Many allergy and asthma sufferers feel uncomfortable in the heat and humidity. Enjoy summer, stay hydrated and cool – and your allergies won’t get you down!

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