NQ Air Purifiers review: Summaries and Detailed Reviews.
Reviews are only as good as the underlying rating criteria used
After you are done reviewing, STEP 5 Buying lists the best places to buy NQ purifiers.
NQ Air Purifier Summaries
Model: NQ Clarifier with UV Sterilization – Good Rating
Up to 1500 sqft (6 AC/hr)
MSRP 699
Conclusion: A good cleaner, but expensive to operate.
Detailed Review Below
Model: NQ Clarifier Medical Air Defense System – Good Rating
Up to 1500 sqft (6 AC/hr)
MSRP 999
Conclusion: A very good cleaner, but expensive to operate.
Detailed Review Below
NQ Air Purifier Detailed Reviews
Model: NQ Clarifier with UV Sterilization
Rating Score: 61/100 points
Summary
The NQ Clarifier with UV Sterilization combines Passive filtration with Passive UV disinfection. This is an industrial quality air purifier and is the choice for many businesses
that use air purification. Unlike many companies in the consumer market, NQ's focus appears to be on the commercial and business end with a minor in residential models. The unit is heavy,
but does a decent job on most air contaminants. This cleaning level does come at a higher cost especially with the passive technologies. Its ability to clean larger spaces is a big plus. A Very
Good Value.
Basic Specifications:
- Designed for spaces up to 1500 sqft (6 air changes per hour)
- Passive purification technology
- Step 1: 10 micron pre filter for larger particles
- Step 2: formulated activated carbon filter for odors and gases
- Step 3: 99.97% True HEPA filter ASHRAE – H13 Standards
- Step 4: carbon impregnated post filter
- UV Disinfection: two germicidal UV lamps – 13,000 Wsec/cm
- Available in Black, White, and Sandstone
- Yearly Operating Costs 342.04
- 2-year limited warranty
- non offgassing 22 gauge galvanized steel
Rating Factors:
1) Value: 20/24 points – The MSRP is 699. The estimated square footage cleaned is 1500 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((699 initial + 342.04/year)/1500 sqft)/12
removal points)) = 94.2. 94.2 = 20 points – Very Good Value.
2) What is Removed: 12/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Very Good Removal, 3-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Good Removal, 2-points. Removal
of Odors and Gases – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of VOCs – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Fair
Removal, 1-point.
3) Yearly Operating Costs: 0/15 points – The Pre-filter costs 16 and is replaced every 6 months = 32/year. The post-filter costs 16 and is replaced every 6 months = 32/year. The 15 lb
Activated Carbon and lasts up to 24 months for 149.99 at 75/year. The HEPA filters last up to 24 months for 124.99 at 62.50/year. The 2 UV lights last 1 year at 34.99/year. Calculating
electricity usage: 136 watts/1000 x .0886/kwh x 24 hours/day x 365 days/year = 105.55/year. Total cost 342.04/year. Very Expensive to operate.
4) Quality: 9/12 points – This is a heavy duty air purifier. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship – Very Good Quality, 4-points. Cleaning Technologies – Very Good Quality, 4-points. Support Material
– Good Quality, 1-point.
5) Warranty: 2/8 points – The NQ has a limited 2-year warranty. Fair Warranty.
6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 5/6 points – Routine maintenance includes replacing The pre and post filters every 6 months, replacing the 2 UV bulbs every year, replacing the HEPA filter every
18-24 months, and replacing the activated carbon Filter every 18-24 months. Average Maintenance, 2-points. Cleaning includes washing the pre and post filters every two months between
replacements and general wiping down of cabinet. Easy Cleaning 3-points.
7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points – This purifier looks sturdy and a bit industrial for home use. Maybe a good description would be heavy duty. Available in Black, White, and Sandstone. Looks
Good, 2-points. The controls are basic and are on the top where they are easy to adjust and view. Weighs 48 lbs and measures 15" W X 28" H X 14" D. It has wheels. Feels Good,
2-points.
8) Years in Business: 4/5 points – NQ Industries, Inc. was founded in 1993. They are located in Rocky Hill, CT and Bouchemaine, France.
9) Noise Level: 3/5 points – The three operating speeds are low at 45 dB, Medium at 55 dB, and High at 58 dB. Average Noise Level.
10) Set-Up: 2/3 points – Minor assembly required. Average Set-up.
total = 61/100 points
Conclusion
A good cleaner, but expensive to operate.
Model: NQ Clarifier Medical Air Defense System
Rating Score: 62/100 points
Summary
The NQ Clarifier Medical Air Defense System combines Passive filtration with Passive UV disinfection. The main difference between this and the 699 version is the additional 2 UV
lamps. This too is an industrial quality air purifier and is the choice for many businesses that use air purification. Unlike many companies in the consumer market, NQ's focus appears to be
on the commercial and business end with a minor in residential models. The NQ air purifier unit is heavy, but does a decent job on most air contaminants. This cleaning level does come at a
higher cost especially with the passive technologies. Its ability to clean larger spaces is a big plus. A Very Good Value.
Basic Specifications:
- Designed for spaces up to 1500 sqft (6 air changes per hour)
- Passive purification technology
- Step 1: 10 micron pre filter for larger particles
- Step 2: formulated activated carbon filter for odors and gases
- Step 3: 99.97% True HEPA filter ASHRAE – H13 Standards
- Step 4: carbon impregnated post filter
- UV Disinfection: four germicidal UV lamps – 26,000 Wsec/cm
- Available in Black, White, and Sandstone
- Yearly Operating Costs 377.05
- 2-year limited warranty
- non offgassing 22 gauge galvanized steel
Rating Factors:
1) Value: 20/24 points – The MSRP is 999. The estimated square footage cleaned is 1500 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((999 initial + 377.05/year)/1500 sqft)/13
removal points)) = 92.9. 92.9 = 20 points – Very Good Value.
2) What is Removed: 13/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Very Good Removal, 3-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Good Removal, 2-points. Removal
of Odors and Gases – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of VOCs – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Very Good Removal, 3-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Fair
Removal, 1-point.
3) Yearly Operating Costs: 0/15 points – The Pre-filter costs 16 and is replaced every 6 months = 32/year. The post-filter costs 16 and is replaced every 6 months = 32/year. The 15 lb
Activated Carbon and lasts up to 24 months for 149.99 at 75/year. The HEPA filters last up to 24 months for 124.99 at 62.50/year. The 4 UV lights last 1 year at 70/year. Calculating
electricity usage: 136 watts/1000 x .0886/kwh x 24 hours/day x 365 days/year = 105.55/year. Total cost 377.05/year. Very Expensive to operate.
4) Quality: 9/12 points – This is a heavy duty air purifier. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship – Very Good Quality, 4-points. Cleaning Technologies – Very Good Quality, 4-points. Support Material
– Good Quality, 1-point.
5) Warranty: 2/8 points – The NQ has a limited 2-year warranty. Fair Warranty.
6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 5/6 points – Routine maintenance includes replacing The pre and post filters every 6 months, replacing the 4 UV bulbs every year, replacing the HEPA filter every
18-24 months, and replacing the activated carbon Filter every 18-24 months. Average Maintenance, 2-points. Cleaning includes washing the pre and post filters every two months between
replacements and general wiping down of cabinet. Easy Cleaning 3-points.
7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points – This purifier looks sturdy and a bit industrial for home use. Maybe a good description would be heavy duty. Available in Black, White, and Sandstone. Looks
Good, 2-points. The controls are basic and are on the top where they are easy to adjust and view. Weighs 48 lbs and measures 15" W X 28" H X 14" D. It has wheels. Feels Good,
2-points.
8) Years in Business: 4/5 points – NQ Industries, Inc. was founded in 1993. They are located in Rocky Hill, CT and Bouchemaine, France.
9) Noise Level: 3/5 points – The three operating speeds are low at 45 dB, Medium at 55 dB, and High at 58 dB. Average Noise Level.
10) Set-Up: 2/3 points – Minor assembly required. Average Set-up.
total = 62/100 points
Conclusion
A very good cleaner, but expensive to operate.
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