Far be it from us to wish away the summer and start talking about autumn, but if you suffer from fall allergies, you may find it difficult to think of anything else. Not to worry — you can turn your smart home into an allergy-free sanctuary this autumn.
Parts of this article run parallel to our summer piece about using smart home devices and automation systems like IFTTT (If This, Then That) to combat hay fever. No matter the time of year that your that your allergies kick in, the key to avoiding them is to monitor the air quality in your home. There are devices that can clear the air once its concentration of pollen or other irritants hits your allergy threshold.
You should first buy an air quality monitor that can connect to your home Wi-Fi network. These devices can alert you via a smartphone app anytime there’s a significant change in your home’s air and/or temperature. Monitors like these can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as with automation platforms like IFTTT. The latter setup allows these monitors to spring other devices into action.
For example, if an air quality monitor records an increase in fine dust particles, it can use IFTTT to switch on a fan or air purifier that’s connected to a smart plug.
Here are some smart devices to consider when looking to avoid allergies at home:
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
1. Awair 2nd Edition, $199
An air quality monitor that is as attractive as it is functional, the new Awair includes finer dust detection than its predecessor, which is useful if that’s what triggers your symptoms.
This device gives your air quality a score out of 100 (the higher the better), and also presents individual readings for temperature, humidity, CO2, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine dust particles. Any major changes appear on the companion smartphone app as alerts. Additionally, the Awair’s IFTTT integration allows it to activate other devices on your home network as needed.
Read the GearBrain review of the Awair here.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
2. Foobot, $199
The Foobot features functionality that’s similar to the Awair, but with an entirely different design. It takes the same measurements as the Awair and rates your home’s overall air quality on a smartphone app. Instead of displaying a number on the device itself, though, the Foobot uses a color scale that ranges from blue (good) to orange (poor).
The Foobot’s color-driven setup make it easy to understand your air quality at a glance, while the smartphone app provides greater insight into each reading. Like the Awair, the Foobot includes IFTTT support.
Read the GearBrain review here.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
3. Blueair Aware, from $350
Like the Awair and the Foobot, the Blueair Aware monitors particulate matter, VOCs, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity. It logs all of this data every five minutes and it can all be viewed on a companion app.
Whereas the Foobot and Awair need to tap into IFTTT, the Aware can talk directly to Blueair’s air purifiers, such as the Classic 205. This setup was reviewed by GearBrain in 2017 and scored four stars out of five.
However, at $350 for the purifier and $200 for the monitor, this solution may be too pricey for some readers. Thankfully, cheaper systems can be set up thanks to IFTTT and smart plugs.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
4. AlerSense,$219
The AlerSense (sold as Cair in Europe), is a smart air quality monitor specifically designed to aid sufferers of allergies and asthma. The AlerSense monitors large and fine particles, VOCs, temperature and humidity, alerting users with a smartphone app just like the previous monitors on this list.
This monitor, though, differs from the others in that users can input their allergy data. The device than matches that data to its air readings and can provide information as needed.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
5. Molekule, $799
Most air purifiers claim to kill 99.97 percent of bacteria using a high-efficiency particulate air (or HEPA) filter. However, the Molekule takes things a step further by trapping all airborne toxins and breaking them down into harmless molecules. It then recycles them back into the air.
Molekule claims that the device can eliminate allergens, mold, bacteria, viruses and airborne chemicals. The manufacturer also says that the Molekule is capable of breaking down pollutants that are 1,000 times smaller than what HEPA filters can catch.
This device is not cheap, however. It costs $799, and that doesn’t include an annual $129 subscription for new filters. Molekule features a smartphone app for iOS and Android, but no IFTTT support yet.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
6. Keen, from $110
Keen is a startup that produces smart vents for HVAC setups. These systems can regulate the temperature and air flow throughout your entire home via a smartphone app or smart home hub, lowering your bills. They also feature electrostatic, antimicrobial smart filters on every vent, which block and kill germs.
The Keen automatically orders new filters as they wear out, with each filter costing $19.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
7. IFTTT, free
IFTTT helps take your smart home to the next level by creating automation. As we outlined above, IFTTT can help one device trigger another into action.
Read More:
For example, an IFTTT applet can be written to switch on a Samsung air purifier when a Blueair Aware detects high levels of particulates. One small tweak can make this setup compatible with an Awair or Foobot.
Similarly, the applet can be modified to take control of other smart home devices, such as a WeMo air purifier or a smart plug-connected Molekule.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
8. Air purifiers with Alexa
There are now air purifiers that have their own Wi-Fi connections and Alexa skills. This means that you can program these purifiers to work at certain times of day via the Alexa Routines function. You can also activate the device by asking Alexa aloud.
Air purifiers that can be controlled by Alexa include:
- Dyson Pure Cool Link — $349
- GermGuardian CDAP5500BCA — $200
- Airmega 300S — $550
Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility checker, to see other products that are compatible with Amazon Alexa.
Read More:
This article originally appeared on GearBrain and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.