The Filtered Files

It’s that time of year when the temperature is warmer, the kids are getting out of school, and we’re out doing yard work or maybe even preparing for a vacation. But what if you have allergies like millions of other Americans? It can be a real drag. It affects your outdoor activities and can seemingly affect your entire life as well.  Oftentimes, you can feel like this time of year is no fun at all for you. But let me let you in on a secret, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways you can protect yourself from allergies and fight them off. But first, what exactly are allergies? An allergy is characterized by the overreaction of the human immune system to a foreign protein substance (or allergen) that is either eaten, breathed into lungs, injected or touched. This overreaction often results in coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and a scratchy throat. In more severe cases however, it can also result in rashes, lower blood pressure, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks and even death. While there is no cure for allergies, you can still protect yourself from it.

For those with severe allergies, the search for a product that works well for you can often be difficult. For many allergy sufferers, finding the right allergy treatment is an absolute necessity. Fortunately, allergy machines are ideal for severe allergy and asthma sufferers. With allergy machines such as the Austin Air Allergy Machine, you can get better sleep, experience less coughing and sneezing through the reduction of airborne allergens. This is a proven system that was chosen by the Red Cross and FEMA to address the air quality concerns in post 9/11 New York. Also, from May 11 to May 25 only, you can save $25 on all standard Austin Air Allergy Machines. The price is already deducted on the website. Take advantage of this offer while supplies last. This discount applies to the following Austin Air products:

• Austin Air HM405 Allergy Machine-Black
• Austin Air HM405 Allergy Machine- Sandstone
• Austin Air HM405 Allergy Machine-Midnight Blue
• Austin Air HM405 Allergy Machine-White
• Austin Air HM405 Allergy Machine-Silver

Allergies are offset a lot by air quality. The poorer the air quality, the worse your allergies are likely to get. This is where air quality test kits such as the Bio Scan Indoor Air Quality Test Kit comes into play.  It screens for common contaminants such as pollen and mold by pin-pointing what problems you are having with your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

Electrostatic filters are very effective in trapping particles that would help to reduce or eliminate allergy and asthma symptoms. The Electrostatic Throw Away Filter is a cut-to-fit HEPA air filter that is designed to eliminate airborne pollutants and allergens.

You don’t have to suffer with allergies this year. You can fight them off and you have the tools to enable you to fight them off. Whether you purchase filters, allergy machines or anything else, be sure to fight off your allergies this year and live happier this allergy season.

Things are definitely getting hot and we’re not talking about the temperature either. We are currently having a discount “Fire Sale,” an exclusive Filters Fast offer where the prices on some of your favorite Filters Fast products have been slashed!  But hurry, this exclusive sale is for a limited time only and while supplies last!

The Katadyn Endurance Microfilter System-               Was: $219.95 Now: $144.99

ED Lab Indoor Air Home Mold Test Kit-BMSC-             Was: $51.99 Now: $37.99

Sprite Shower Falls Multi-Position Filter-                 Was: $59.00 Now: $55.99

Frontier Pro Military 67106-Personal Filtration-                  Was: $24.95 Now: $11.99

3M Filtrete 3US-AS01 Faucet Filtration System-     Was: $45.99 Now: $31.99

What are you waiting for? These discounted deals are for a limited time only, so hurry and take advantage of these specials today!

Did you know that on average 20% of Americans report that they get less than 6 hours of sleep? Meanwhile, the number of Americans getting 9 hours of sleep or more is decreasing. We are getting less and less sleep, and with the constant ‘on-the-go’ lives that many of us live, there is little wonder why. While many of us resort to over the counter sleep medicine and other factors to get a better night’s sleep, we often overlook the importance of the quality of air in our very own homes. Poor air quality increases the risk of poor sleep and can even cause sleep-disordered breathing, in which breathing stops briefly during sleeping. With that in mind, having ways to improve the air quality in our home is vital to our overall health. Let’s take a look at a few products that will help improve the air quality in our home while helping us sleep better at the same time.

The Whirlpool Whispure 510 air purifier was recently voted a Consumer Reports Best Buy. Here is why: it is a home air purifier which filters the dust, pollen, mold spores, allergens and other contaminants in your air. This Whirlpool air purifier is made to filter and clean the air in medium-sized to large rooms up to 500 square feet. This home air cleaner unit ideal for larger offices, bedrooms, nurseries and basements. It weighs only 25 pounds and has a built-in handle for easy mobility.

With the Trion Duct Mount HE Plus 2000 you get a quality, well built product that will not only extend the lifespan of your HVAC system but it will improve the quality of your air. It is designed to mount directly to the duct work in your heating and cooling system so that recirculated air passes through the cleaner. This system will prevent airborne contaminants from constantly being recirculated throughout your home.

Sleep better and breathe easier with the G-100 Power Flow-Thru Humidifier. It can be installed in any home to create a healthier, more comfortable indoor climate while also saving on energy costs. This humidifier will decrease the levels of bacteria, viruses, fungus and mites in your home. It will also increase relative humidity which means you can turn your thermostat down and feel just as comfortable, which saves you money.

Sleep plays an important role in our lives and without adequate sleep, we are opening up the door for many negative health effects. With May being Better Sleep Month, let’s all make it a goal to get better and more sleep this month for a happier and more rested you.

IMAGE CREDIT: http://www.webmasterserve.com

It’s the Facebook “New Likes” Sweepstakes and we want everyone to join the party. So for the month of May we will be giving away a prize for every 100 new Likes that we get to our Facebook page. For every 100 new Likes, all of our fans will be entered into a random drawing to win a free Vapur Anti-Bottle Water Bottle (and you can choose the color you want). Don’t get selected the first time? No problem, you’ll be entered into our next sweepstakes once we hit 100 new Likes again. Note: you are only eligible to win the sweepstakes once. So tell your friends to Like our facebook page and see what all the fuss is about.

Here’s what you have to do:

1.) Like our Facebook page to be eligible. You will not be eligible for the random drawing unless you Like our Facebook page

2.) Once you have Liked us, you will be entered into the contest. Tell your friends to Like our Facebook page too.The faster we hit 100 new Likes, the more prizes we can give away to you.

Don’t delay, get your friends so everyone can join in!

It’s time to start pinning. Send in a photo of your favorite filtersfast.com products to kory@filtersfast.com. It can be a picture of your favorite water filter, air filter, water filter bottle, water filter pitcher, air purifier, humidifier or dehumidifier. If it’s your favorite, just send in your photo and we will pin it to our Pinterest “Fan Favorite Board”. The photo with the most repins wins a $50 Visa gift card!

To Enter the Contest:

1.) Send in your photo of your favorite filtersfast.com products to kory@filtersfast.com and we will post the photo up to our Fan Favorite Board

2.) Get your friends to follow us on Pinterest and to repin your picture

3.) After your photo is posted, people will vote for their favorite photo by repinning your picture

4.) The Contest ends Friday May 18 at 3:00PM EST

5.) Products must be what filtersfast.com currently sells

6.) Only 1 entry person

7.) The winner of the contest will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card!!

8.)  THERE IS NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER

Voting and submission begins Friday May 4 and ends on Friday May 18. The photo with the most repins wins!

In the event of a tie, a winner will be randomly selected. The winner of the contest has one week to claim their prize.

IMAGE CREDIT: http://lunaslair.blogspot.com

“Whether it was taking care of us while we were sick
Or lending a helping hand when times got thick
It is times like those when we realized we are truly blessed
Of all the gifts we can give you, a simple “thank you” may do the best” –Kory

Now is the time of year when we all say thank you to our mom. We may take her out for dinner, give roses or maybe even a special mother’s day gift. This Mother’s Day, give the gift of pink. But not just any gift, give the greatest gift that planet Earth has to offer—water. Below are some great gift ideas.

This pink Brita Water Pitcher Filter eliminates the need to buy costly bottled water that is often nothing more than filtered tap water. The Brita filter pitcher allows you to have fresh and cold filtered water on hand in your refrigerator at all times. This pitcher features a flip-top lid, soft grip handle, electronic filter change indicator and will hold around ten glasses of filtered water. The pink lid was created to raise awareness of the need to find a cure for breast cancer.

This Kor One Special Edition Pink Bottle is a reusable water bottle with an elegant design and an elliptical shape. This water bottle offers consistent hydration along with an eye-catching design. KOR also calls this bottle the “United Nations of Water” to highlight how certain areas of the world do not have access to clean water. An added benefit of this pink water bottle is the inclusion of KOR Stones, which is a unique way to have your bottle reflect your personality. KOR Stones are disc-shaped tokens that fit underneath the cap. Every time you take a sip from your reusable water bottle you’ll be treated to a motivational message.

Turn water into air. Yep that’s right. This Crane ultrasonic cool mist humidifier turns cold tap water into cool, humidified air.  This will assist in the prevention of cough, congestion and sinus irritation. It will also help to lessen allergy symptoms as well.

Mother’s Day shouldn’t be just one day, it should be every day. Remember, even a simple thank you can go a long way. And for all you moms out there that are currently reading this, you all are the best! It takes someone truly special to be a mom and you definitely qualify.

It is vital to think about the quality of the air we breathe and to think of ways we can protect ourselves from the harmful airborne pollutants that surround us every day. So in honor of Clean Air Month, let’s do just that. Below are six ways to clean the air in your homes in addition to ways of protecting yourselves from the many airborne pollutants.

1.)  Pay attention to the outdoor air quality. Outdoor air pollution is obviously a big concern and while we can’t always control the amount of air pollution outdoors, we can be wiser about when and how often we plan outdoor activities. A simple picnic outdoors when the air quality is deemed “very unhealthy” can have serious and detrimental effects. Plan wisely and attempt to plan your activities on days where the air quality is deemed “good”. Suggestion: Air quality is lowest when the heat is highest. Plan outdoor activity or physical activity in the morning or evening.

2.) Change your car filters. In many cities around the world, your car is the greatest polluter. We all are familiar with the smells of exhaust fumes and other nasty odors while driving down the road or highway. Not pleasant at all huh? Fortunately, your car’s cabin air filter is designed to remove the harmful outside air pollutants before they reach the inside of your car. Purolator also offers a list of other car filters that will help to filter the air you breathe and keep you safe. Suggestion: The Purolator C35533 Cabin Air Filter Replacement is easy to install and will provide a clean flow of air free of airborne contaminants.

3.)  Listen to your body. Dizziness and fatigue are all symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome and should not be ignored. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. If you feel as if you need to change your air filters or may need to invest in an air purifier, then do so. If these symptoms persist, contact your doctor.

4.)  Use an air purifier. Whether you find yourself at home or at your office, an air purifier will do just what its name suggests—purifies your air. And honestly, who doesn’t want purified air to breathe in? Suggestion: A Holmes True HEPA Air Purifier will allow you to save space and purify your air by removing 99.97% of airborne particles.

5.) Change your filters regularly. Do not neglect to change your filters as not changing them will not only put you at increased risks of certain sicknesses but will also hamper your HVACs efficiency. Upgrading from your standard 1 inch filter may be useful if you find that you are still experiencing air quality issues. The standard 1 inch filter cannot protect you from all of the contaminants in your home. Suggestion: Filters Fast MERV 13 Return Air Grille  filters will help rid of all contaminants in the air by removing dust, bacteria and all other airborne pollutants.

6.) Eat right.  No that is not a typo and yes there is a correlation between the food you eat and air pollution. How? The answer is in antioxidants. They are the “good guys” in your body that help strengthen the immune system, slow down the aging process (who couldn’t use that). Most importantly, they fight off free radicals who are the “bad guys” in your body by helping the harmful airborne pollutants damage your body. Suggestion: Eat foods that are high in antioxidants like cherries, kale, tomatoes and strawberries.

Now that you know how to protect yourself, it is time to take action. Don’t fall victim to sickness caused by air pollution. Protect yourself, your body and your family from the harmful pollutants.

IMAGE CREDITS:

endurancebuzz.com

naturelivings.blogspot.com

Did you know that you most likely have more airborne particulates in your air than the standard 1″ air filter can handle? It is true that air filters work wonders when it comes to capturing many of the particulates that circle in the air you breathe. It is also true that getting a filter that is more than the 1″ standard can totally protect you from the harmful particulates in your home or office. Filtersfast.com offers Return Grille Air Filters just for this purpose. These Return Grille Air Filters are 5″ making for an even more efficient filter when it comes to protecting your health and your environment.

We especially suggest the Filters Fast MERV 13 Return Grille Air Filter. According to Cartier King, Filtersfast.com Air Filtration Specialist certified by the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA):

“MERV 13 air filters are the highest recommended air filtration level for most residential applications.”

But why is it the highest recommended air filtrartion level? Well, a lot of it has to do with efficiency. The MERV 13 is one of the highest efficiency ratings available as the U.S. Green Building Council considers a MERV 13 rating the minimum level required to meet its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. There are five other specific things that make this filter especially useful as well:

1.) The larger surface area and deeper pleats of the 5″ filter make it 15 times more effective at capturing airborne particles than a standard 1″ filter. You most likely have more airborne particulates in your air than your standard 1″ filter is equipped to hold. This causes excess air particles to float back out into your household air and cause allergy flare-ups, sinus issues and other health problems.

2.) When you combine this larger filter with a MERV 13 rating you have one of the market’s best filters. MERV 13 filters remove at least 90 percent of all particles 1.0 – 10.0 microns. Just how big is a micron? Look at the period at the end of this sentence. That is a huge 397 microns!

3.) The life of the filters is subject to the environment it’s installed in, but typically RAG last for 2-3x’s longer than a standard 1” filter.

4.) The foam gasket header on the filters increases particle capturing efficiency, because it helps reduce the air bypass.  Typical 1” filters obviously don’t have this feature.

5.) These only need to be changed 1x per year. They fit just like a regular 1” filter.

Apart from the MERV 13 Return Grille Air Filter, we also offer another option for you to upgrade from your standard 1″ filter:

The Odor Killer Return Grille will eliminate smoke odors, cigarette odors, pet odors, gases and other contaminants from your indoor air. Since this return grille air filter is 5″ deep compared to the standard 1″ air filter, its greater surface area and deeper pleats allow it to catch far more airborne particles and be changed less frequently.

So this season, don’t just deal with the sneezing, coughing and other symptoms associated with poor air quality. Protect your health, your environment and your wallet with Filtersfast.com.

(L-R) Ed Elley, Filters Fast Local Service Key Account Rep; Kym Moore, Filters Fast Brand Marketing Lead and Devin Hatley, Environmental Educator for the Office of Waste Reduction & Recycling (Photo Credit: Steven Miller, Filters Fast Media Marketing Specialist)

Each year, the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, sponsors an Earth Day Environmental Festival on campus. This is an educational-packed day with representation from various sectors of the college and commercial communities, falling within the categories of sustainability, waste management, environmental awareness and global water issues.

Subsidiaries from Filters Fast LLC, FiltersFast.com and Filters Fast Local Service, exhibited and shared information about water testing, the cost effectiveness of using water hydration stations, eliminating the waste of plastic water bottles that pollute highways and landfills, along with increasing awareness of the global water crisis through our W3 Project with TrekDesk and Wine to Water.

Photo Credit: Steven Miller

We were deeply touched and literally brought to tears during a conversation by a young lady who is a student attending UNCC. Her name is Anna and she is from Africa. As we discussed our commitment to increase awareness about the global water crisis with our W3 Project, she painted a very real picture of personally experiencing such challenges. This was a very emotional dialogue, but nevertheless, one that touched our hearts and injected us with greater momentum to do everything we can to eradicate our global water crisis and save millions of lives from drinking contaminated water. So often it takes a heart-wrenching story like hers to make us really appreciate how fortunate we are.

Students, administrators and staff from the university strongly represented the turnout for this 20th Annual Earth Day event. We want to thank Devin Hatley, Environmental Educator for the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling, for inviting Filters Fast to participate in this important community event. The Earth Day Environmental Festival is a free event that is also open to the public. UNCC students volunteered to assist with this event which was held at the CHHS Plaza across from the Student Union.

With an event like the annual UNCC Earth Day event, we are inspired to continue protecting our environment by taking action to learn, teach and share our knowledge with others. Our hats off to the UNCC Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling for a successful event. Keep up the good work by helping to increase our social consciousness to save our environment!

Kite-flying is fun for many people. Every day, millions will go outside and fly their kite. It is great activities that can be loads of fun for anyone who has ever flown a kite before. So in honor of this fun yet timeless tradition, we want to see your kite.  It doesn’t matter what color or how big it is. Just send in a photo of your kite for a chance to win two great Filtrete prizes!

To enter the competition:

1. Email your kite photo directly to kory@filtersfast.com  and we will post the photo up to our “Best Kite Photo Competition” photo album located in “Photos” (located directly under the cover photo)
2. Tell your friends to “Like” our Facebook page and to “Like” your photo
3. After your photo is posted, people will vote for their favorite by “liking” the photo
4. The contest ends Thursday May 3 at 3:00PM EST
5. The winner of the contest receives an 8-Cup Filtrete Clear Water Filtration Pitcher and a 4-Bottle Filtrete Water Bottle Station.
6. There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER

Prize Details:

The 8 -Cup Filtrete Clear Water Filtration Pitcher provides clean, great-tasting water by utilizing fast flow filtration technology. This 3M Filtrete water pitcher fills up to 3 times faster than traditional filtering pitchers.

The 4-Bottle Filtrete Water Bottle Station allows you to filter and bottle your own water. Fill the Filtrete Water Station with water from your sink, and the Fast Flow Filter reduces sediment and the taste and odor of chlorine from your water. In just seconds, this four bottle water filter system will fill your reusable water bottles with clean, filtered water.

Voting and submission begins Friday April 27 and ends on Thursday May 3 at 3:00PM EST. The photo with the most “Likes” by the end of the contest wins!

In the event of a tie, a winner will be randomly selected. The winner of the contest has one week to claim their prize. Remember to Like our Facebook page and to tell your friends to Like our Facebook page so everyone will be eligible to participate in any upcoming events!

IMAGE CREDIT: www.rgbstock.com