Allergy Air Purifiers - IQAir HealthPro Vs. Austin Air AllergyMachine

Even though we have a few more months before Spring begins, many Americans may be suffering from allergies due to indoor air pollution. Because the cold weather forces us to spend the majority our time inside, indoor allergens proliferate due to decreased outside ventilation, and these airborne particulates are usually the dominant cause.

Although pollen may not be a prevalent allergen during the winter time, dust mites can be the main cause of poor indoor air quality during the cooler months. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that range from 100 to 450 microns in size, and their major source of food is skin dander. As temperatures drop, humidity levels are also significantly decreased, leaving us with drier skin (and more food for dust mites). In addition, because of cooler, dryer weather, dust mites also become lighter and more airborne.

To counter winter allergies, using a quality air purifier with a state-of-the-art HEPA filter is absolutely imperative, as these have the ability to remove at least 99.97% of allergens from the air you breathe. As such, we will look at two highly advanced air purifiers with medical-grade HEPA filters geared specifically towards allergy sufferers - the HealthPro by IQAir and the Austin Air AllergyMachine.

IQAir HealthPro - $772.22

IQAir is one of the most trusted names in air purification and for good reason, as IQAir provides Swiss precision with cutting-edge air cleaning technology. Although somewhat pricey, the HealthPro by IQAir is recommended for allergy sufferers because of its advanced HEPA filter and its ability to remove allergens and other particulates. The IQAir HealthPro also features a pressurized equalization chamber located between the HEPA filter and fan to maximize air delivery. Price aside, for severe allergy sufferers who do not need significant gas or odor control, the HealthPro is one of the best allergy air purifiers on the market. Here are a few pros and cons:

Pros:
- Excellent filtration of large areas
- Separate pre-gas, HEPA, and filters allow for maximum cleaning
- Certified under the world's most stringent HEPA filter test - the European Norm EN 1822

Cons:
- More expensive than many other HEPA air purifiers
- Not designed for gas or chemical abatement

Ratings (on a scale from 1 to 10):
Value: 7
Efficiency: 10
Maintenance Costs: 7

Austin Air AllergyMachine - $449.99


The quality of Austin air purifiers cannot be denied. As a result of extensive testing performed by Battelle Laboratories and the Army Corp of Engineers at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, Austin Air was chosen by the U.S. Government to fulfill the largest deployment of air cleaners in American history, and was specifically chosen by FEMA and the Red Cross to address the serious indoor air quality concerns in post 9/11 New York. Therefore, by using advanced technology that was previously only available to military and medical facilities, the Austin Air AllergyMachine is specifically designed to trap classic allergens such as dander, pollen, and dust through its dual medical-grade HEPA and HEGA filters. As an added plus, the Austin AllergyMachine feature solid steel construction that does not off gas like air purifiers made of plastic. At $449, the Austin AllergyMachine is a great investment for allergy suffers and is substantially less expensive than the IQAir HealthPro. Here are a few pros and cons:

Pros:
- Utilizes advanced HEPA and HEGA technology developed by the military
- Non-toxic, all-metal construction
- Economical

Cons:
- Does not include other purification technologies commonly found in high-end air purifiers such as UV sterilization or PCO
- Can be noisy

Ratings:
Value: 8
Efficiency: 8
Maintenance Costs: 8