For millions of Americans, air pollution isn’t an occasional inconvenience — it’s a daily reality. From persistent urban smog to wildfire smoke and desert dust storms, the air from outside can enter our homes and feel like something we need to battle instead of breathe. This is particularly true for folks based in Southern California.
This was once the case for Michelle B., a long-time Austin Air customer based in the Golden State. She was recently inspired to write to us after a simple moment that only takes place once every five years (or “quinquennially"): a regular filter replacement.
As she completed the swap, it struck her how remarkable it was that the machine was still running strong after nearly 30 years of continuous use. In a world where so many products are designed for short lifespans, her Austin Air purifier has quietly endured moves, wildfires, dust storms, and shifting chapters of life.
That realization prompted her to write into us, and we believe her story will resonate with many of you out there.
What began as a single purchase in the 1990s became a long-term commitment to protecting her home’s air across cities, climates, and different seasons of Southern California living.
This is Michelle’s story.
Living With Smog, Wildfires, and Dust: A Reality for Millions
“I have been a customer of Austin Air since 1997. As a Los Angeles native, we’ve dealt with our fair share of smog.”
Anyone familiar with Los Angeles understands that air quality challenges are a big part of daily life. This has been true since a population boom in the area starting during World War II. In addition to heavy traffic and a variety of industries producing pollutants, California’s geographical features tend to trap them lower to the ground instead of allowing them to dissipate into the atmosphere. Smog, a mixture of smoke and fog, is one of the defining hallmarks of the area.
Years later, despite decades of regulatory progress, Southern California continues to face persistent pollution challenges — and in recent years, wildfire smoke has complicated what was once steady improvement.
Southern California is no stranger to wildfires but smoke events now affect communities far beyond active burn zones. Even when fires are miles away, smoke and fine particulate matter can drift into homes where it will linger without proper filtration. Fortunately, as Michelle reports, when wildfire smoke is blowing “we crank the units up to speed III and they clear the house immediately.”
The SoCal air quality hazards don’t stop with smog or smoke, there is also the desert air to contend with.
“We have since relocated to the desert – specifically, La Quinta, California – and we have found that these units really help to keep the desert dust down in our home.”
Desert dirt and dust have a way of making their way into our homes and then, unfortunately, into our lungs.
So for Michelle, clean air has never been theoretical. It’s practical and necessary. In 1997, she decided to take control of the air in her home, and she is still benefitting from that initial investment into an Austin Air HealthMate.
Longevity Matters, Especially When Other Products Fail Fast
“Amazing because so many of the products we buy today seem to break down after a few years… not my Austins — they’re decades and decades old.”
Michelle contrasts her Austin Air units with modern electronics, like smart phones, that often require replacement every few years. The difference, she notes, is striking.
She also highlights something that isn’t necessarily easy to calculate upfront:
“I LOVE the fact that we don’t have to replace the filters for 5 years… so many competitors require replacement filters every 6 months to a year. That gets expensive.” Everyone can appreciate that fewer filter replacements mean lower long-term costs and less waste. It is also important to consider that it saves time and prevents maintenance fatigue.
For Michelle, the benefits of Austin Air purifiers are two-fold: a reliable unit (or shell) that lasts for decades and the extended five-year filter life. These two factors combine to make ownership simple and sustainable.
Protection That Moves With You
Over the years, Michelle and her family relocated several times throughout Southern California. Through each move, one practice stayed the same:
“Our Austin Airs are the last thing we pack and the first thing we unpack.”
These are the kinds of customer experiences that always humble us. We know you can depend on Austin Air purifiers to keep you safe when particles and VOCs are kicking around, but it means so much more to hear that our customers really live that.
Of course, unlike built-in HVAC upgrades that remain with a property, portable air purifiers are made to move with you — whether you’re wheeling it around the house or carting it around the country. No matter the zip code, the protection goes along.
Air pollution does not respect geography. Urban smog, regional wildfire smoke, and desert particulates can all enter indoor spaces. Having filtration that adapts to changing environments — without requiring structural upgrades — provides continuity in uncertain conditions.
Build a Whole-Home Clean Air Strategy
“Since my original purchase, I have added a few additional units to my clean air arsenal…”
What started with one HealthMate gradually evolved. First, she chose to upgrade from a HealthMate Plus when replacing her original filter. Leveling up is a very common move of Austin Air customers and very easy to do because all filters fit in the units of the same size. (Standard filters for standard units, junior filters for junior units.)
As time has passed, Michelle has developed a comprehensive, room-by-room approach to indoor air quality. Today, Michelle uses:
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A Bedroom Machine in the primary bedroom
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A HealthMate Plus in the kitchen
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An Immunity Machine in the main living space
Michelle’s multiple units reflect the fact that different rooms face different pollutant pressures. Kitchens encounter cooking gases and odors, perfect for the HealthMate Plus. Bedrooms benefit from consistent overnight filtration to support uninterrupted rest. Shared living areas see higher daytime occupancy and activity. By placing units strategically, Michelle built layered protection throughout her home.
Over the years, we’ve also noticed that customers often expand their clean air coverage, naturally over time as their awareness grows. One unit often becomes two. Two become three. Not out of fear — but out of an understanding that a multi-room strategy provides the most protection and comfort.
And science increasingly supports that mindset.
With each passing year, research continues to reinforce that the air we breathe affects every system in the body. Respiratory health is only the beginning. Studies now link air quality to cardiovascular function, immune resilience, cognitive performance, maternal health, and even long-term neurological health.
The propensity for customers to install Austin Air purifiers throughout the home has inspired us to make whole-home protection simpler and more accessible.
Today, Austin Air offers curated, solution-based Bundle Options designed to help families take the guesswork out of choosing the right air purifier by grouping models designed to target specific air quality concerns.
Whether you’re battling allergies, protecting your family during seasonal illness, or reducing smoke and chemical exposure, there’s a bundle built for your exact needs.
Choose from these powerful options...
- Asthma, Allergy & COPD Bundle: Clinically proven to reduce symptoms, flare-ups, and emergency room visits.
- Mold Recovery Bundle: Targets mold spores and byproducts — ideal for post-remediation or ongoing sensitivity.
- Bedroom Bundle: Focused on nighttime recovery and uninterrupted rest.
- Wildfire Recovery Bundle: Engineered to capture fine smoke particles and toxic gases during and after fire events.
- VOC Bundle: Designed for new builds or renovations — filters harsh off-gassing from construction materials and furnishings.
- Healthy Home Bundle: Comprehensive daily protection for households with children, pets, and multigenerational families.
- Build Your Own Bundle: For those who have unique needs or prefer a different combination, you can mix and match models for your home, office, school, or gym — with automatic bundle discounts added as you build.
Clean Air as a Long-Term Commitment
We are grateful that Michelle B. kindly took the time to inform us that her nearly 30-year-old machine has been running strong through a variety of conditions.
“I wouldn’t dare live without my Austin Airs… I hope you all stay in business for many more decades so my lungs can reap the benefits.”
Her words reflect something simple but powerful: when a product quietly performs year after year, it becomes part of the fabric of daily life.
From Los Angeles smog to La Quinta dusty desert winds, Michelle’s Austin Air units have moved with her, adapted with her, and endured.
In an era of (nearly) disposable appliances, that kind of staying power stands out.
Thanks again to Michelle for sharing her experience — and for trusting Austin Air since 1997.
If you have a story about how clean air has shaped your home, your health, or your peace of mind, we’d love to hear it. Please email info@austinair.com and tell us how Austin Air has impacted your life.
