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Any suggestions on air purifiers?
Hello. I have asthma with very reactive airways to chemicals, dust, mold, smoke. I’ve been doing research on air purifiers and the amount of literature is not only large but also is quite conflicting. Can anyone recommend a medical quality air purifier that will cover 1,000 sq ft? Has anyone had success with the Austin Air Healthmate Plus? Thanks!
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I have two portable units in my house but they don't seem to do much for me. I am allergic to dust, mold, pollen and some animals. I had the air ducts cleaned in the house yesterday and had a discussion with the tech about this. He recommended the unit that is attached to the air handler in your house, which cleans the air before it gets to you. Expensive. About $1000 but I recall having one in my earlier homes and never had this much trouble with allergy as i do now. Nice if you can afford it. Right now I cannot.
Thank you for your input. I hope you can find something that suits your needs. After doing a lot of research I decided to try the Austin Air Purifier. I am very pleased with it so far. It is costly, $764, but you only have to replace the filter every 5 years. When I can afford to get a second one I am going to so I have one for the living room and bedroom instead of having to roll this one back and forth. It rolls easily but I’d rather have two running at all times.
My physician recommended units from EL Foust. You can find them at foustco.com. I have several of the smaller units and I repack them with carbon and change the filter. You can also get prepackaged filters shipped to you which costs more. I think the larger 400 unit is easier to maintain and the filters last longer. It has a furnace type filter on the front that gets a lot first before air goes to carbon and HEPA filter. You keep changing the outer filter to get extra life. The media filter and HEPA are not user serviceable and must be replaced. I do think cost of operating is less than the smaller units even though the 400 unit costs more to begin with.
Hi @staylorrn2000,
I totally understand where you are coming from. I have dealt with similar sensitivity issues in the past and finding the right medical grade air purifier makes a huge difference.
If you are considering the Austin Air HealthMate Plus, that is actually a solid choice especially for chemical sensitivity and smoke. It uses a combination of HEPA and activated carbon filtration. Here’s the Amazon link if you want to check it out:
Austin Air HealthMate Plus
https://amzn.to/4m3yI9i
Another great unit tha i’s often recommended by allergists is the IQAir HealthPro Plus. It is Swiss made and designed for asthma and chemical sensitivities (MCS), with HyperHEPA filters that capture ultrafine particles and gases. Covers over 1,100 sq ft.
IQAir HealthPro Plus
https://amzn.to/40nVArW
If you are looking for something more affordable but still powerful, the Levoit Core 600S is a great option. It is a smart purifier with True HEPA filtration great for large spaces up to 1,580 sq ft and has excellent reviews.
Levoit Core 600S
https://amzn.to/3TP0Ktm
Overall, the best option for your needs would be the IQAir HealthPro Plus. It offers hospital grade filtration, superior coverage and is specifically built for people with asthma and chemical sensitivities perfect for handling mold, smoke, VOCs and dust in a large area.
Let me know what you go with or if you need help comparing features.
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1 ReactionHello. Do you sell the products you listed above? I tried the Austin Air HealthMate Plus first and had to return it because the potassium iodide they impregnate into the carbon filter gave off an odor that made my lungs burn. The Austin HealthMate I have now doesn’t give off any odor and still makes a big difference in the air quality in my condo.
By the way, thank you for all of the info and links.
Hi @staylorrn2000, thanks so much for the follow-up.
No, I do not sell any of the products,just sharing what is worked for me and what is commonly recommended by specialists for chemical sensitivities. I am really glad you found relief with the regular Austin HealthMate. And you bring up a great point about the Plus version, the potassium iodide in the carbon blend can definitely cause reactions in people who are especially sensitive, even though it is designed to target VOCs and smoke.
For anyone with MCS or chemical sensitivity, your experience is a great reminder that even high-end filters are not one-size-fits-all and it is important to go with the one that your body tolerates best even if it means sticking to a simpler carbon setup like the standard HealthMate.
Let me know if you ever want to compare other models or filter types,always happy to help.
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2 ReactionsThank you.