The approaching holidays have many of us scrambling to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones. There is always a sense of worry—is it too much? Is it not enough? Will they return my gift as soon as the holidays are over, or cherish it for many years to come?
Fortunately, we at Molekule are here to let you in on a little holiday gift-giving secret—nothing says “I love you” like the gift of clean air. Whether you are trying to find a gift for family members with asthma and allergies, or simply shopping for the relatives-of-relatives that you know almost nothing about, there is a clean air gift for everybody on your list, no matter your budget!
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers
Kids and adults of all ages can get excited about this present! Watch their eyes light up as they open their very own humidifier (or dehumidifier). The relative humidity in your home can impact your indoor air quality and exacerbate asthma and allergy symptoms. When you give the gift of humidity control, you will quickly become everybody’s favorite family member.
If the relative humidity in a home is too high, it can cause mold and mildew growth. A high relative humidity can also lead to eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as respiratory issues and fatigue. A low relative humidity can increase vulnerability to respiratory illnesses, as well as cause dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin.
This holiday season, you can help your loved ones regulate the moisture in their indoor air without breaking the bank. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers typically range from $30 to $60, though dehumidifiers tend to be a little bit more expensive.
Bonus gift: Take your present to the next level with a hygrometer or humidistat. These nifty gadgets measure relative humidity and are available in a variety of price ranges. Your loved ones will never again have to wonder about the relative humidity in their home.
HVAC filters
If you are in need of a stellar gift that will not put a strain on your wallet, look no further! HVAC filters are essential for maintaining the indoor air quality of any home. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive and can even come in packs of five. You read that right—packs of 5! With one purchase, you can cross five lucky people off of your holiday shopping list (or make one extra-special person very happy).
Remember, any mold, dust, pet dander or bacteria that gather on an HVAC filter can then be spread throughout the air in your home. Changing your filters regularly can help prevent the spread of airborne pollutants, and with such an attractive price tag, HVAC filters are one of the best low-cost ways to improve the indoor air quality of your home.
As an added bonus, changing your HVAC filter every month can actually help you and your loved ones save money on the electricity bill! A new, unclogged filter can help reduce the energy consumption of your air conditioner by 5% to 15%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Bathroom exhaust fan
Looking for a gift that will go above and beyond to impress a special someone on your holiday list? Consider springing for a bathroom exhaust fan! Though this gift can be a little pricey (think $100 to $200), the look of excitement and surprise on your loved one’s face will surely be worth every dollar.
Bathroom exhaust fans can help remove airborne pollutants by increasing the outdoor air ventilation rate. They also help decrease moisture in the air and prevent the growth of mold and mildew in the damp corners of a bathroom. As a plus, exhaust fans can also lower concentrations of organic pollutants that vaporize in the heat from a steamy shower.
Before you buy, however, you might need to do a little detective work, as the type of bathroom exhaust fan that you need will likely depend on the square footage of the bathroom in question. Additionally, if you think the hum of a bathroom exhaust fan may be a turn-off, there are many low-noise options available for those with sensory sensitivity. Some models even come with heaters, motion sensors and bluetooth speakers!
Low-VOC paint
The perfect gift for the do-it-yourself home makeover enthusiast, low and zero VOC paint can offer the freshness of a room renovation with only a fraction of the airborne pollutants! Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful gases that are emitted from certain manufactured products, such as paint, and can contribute to indoor air pollution in your home.
Exposure to these VOCs can lead to cold or flu-like symptoms in the short term and more serious conditions, such as cancer and respiratory and heart diseases, over longer periods of time. The type of paint that you buy can be especially important for larger projects, as the VOCs found in most paints can impact the quality of the air long after you have finished painting. Stored paint cans can emit, or off-gas, VOCs even when they are not being used.
Lucky for you, many top paint brands now manufacture low or zero VOC paint, though you should make sure that any added colorants do not increase the paint’s overall VOC levels. These low-VOC options are significantly better for your indoor air quality and can be found at prices similar to conventional paints.
Lead and radon test kits
Lead and radon test kits may not sound as exciting as a gallon of brightly-colored low-VOC paint or a fresh pack of brand new HVAC filters, but you should wait until you have all the facts before passing on this innovative holiday gift idea.
You already know that indoor air quality testing can help you sleep easy knowing that the air in your home is free from harmful levels of contaminants. Why not give that priceless gift to somebody that you love?
According to the CDC, there are currently over 4 million households across the country in which children are being exposed to high levels of lead. Lead exposure usually does not cause any obvious symptoms, but it can have lasting harmful effects on the cognitive development of children.
When it comes to radon exposure, the risk is probably more widespread than you may think. In fact, radon exposure is the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to the EPA. Tests for this colorless, odorless gas can either be short-term (2 to 90 days) or long-term (more than 90 days). When buying one as a holiday gift, it is best to start out with a short-term radon test kit.
Each of the holiday gifts above, though they may cause some groans and enter the “Ugly Christmas Sweater” or socks category, can make a real difference for air quality in your home.
Molekule air purifier
As the last item on this list and our first product, the Molekule air purifier is our solution for indoor air quality and from its origins, was a gift from a father to a son. The idea for the Molekule technology came from our Chief Scientist Dr. Yogi Goswami, who developed it over two decades to help his son Dilip (now CEO of Molekule), who suffered from severe allergies and asthma. Prototype after prototype appeared in Dilip’s bedroom, until finally the technology evolved into what we know today as PECO technology.
The Molekule air purifier has made a significant difference in customer’s lives because it destroys indoor air pollutants such as mold, allergens, viruses, bacteria and airborne chemicals. Molekule began with a family story but it does not end there. Our company’s mission will always be the same—to bring clean air to people and their families everywhere.
How can new electronics or flashy jewelry compare to the peace of mind of coming home to the best indoor air quality of your life? With the options listed above, you can find fun, exciting presents for even the pickiest of recipients. Get creative this holiday season—and become the family favorite—by giving the gift of clean air.
