The Friedrich C90A Air Purifier, once popular for its effectiveness in purifying indoor air, is no longer in production.
I recommend considering the COWAY AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier as a worthy replacement.
It has gained a reputation for exceptional performance and advanced features.
For a comprehensive review of the Coway Air Purifier.
In summary, the COWAY AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier is an excellent choice to replace the discontinued Friedrich C90A.
Now Discontinued – Review of the Friedrich Air Purifier
I start by reviewing the Friedrich C90B which came after the Friedrich C 90A Air Purifier. C90B – replaced the C90A but both are identical versions. I’ve had one of these for awhile and I call it the “HUMMER OF AIR PURIFIERS”. It’s big, it’s like an industrial strength air purifier, and Consumer Reports has had it at the top of the list for most of it’s reviews. When you think of it think of “Truman Cell On Steroids” because it uses lots and lots of washable plates. The technology is also called electrostatic and electronic, but it all means the same.
3 Stages Of Filtration
Stage 1 – a prefilter which is washable for dust
Stage 2 – A large ionizer (positive and negatively charged air) with many, many plates
Stage 3 – A very thin Carbon filter as the air leaves the machine. It must be changed periodically
Pros & Cons
Pros
1 – Large washable electrostatic plates
2 – Covers 500 sq. ft.
3 – Heavy Duty Design
Cons
1 – No UV to kill viruses, bacteria Mold, No Hepa to collect Mold spores, pollen, particulates.
2 – Produces Ozone .005 and .020 ppm – though well below the FDA Standards
3 – Manufacturer stopped making any Air Purifiers including the C90B in 2008 and the C90 in 2005
4 -Parts are still available. Air comes in the back, so can’t place it too close to a wall
5 – Requires very frequent plate washing to be effective – every 3 days..
6 – Makes crackling sounds, which worsen if the air purifier’s plates are not kept clean
7 – Not really effective with odors and gaseous chemicals
Specifications and Technologies
FRIEDRICH C 90A Air Purifier & C-90B Air Purifier Review
Retail Price:
Purification Technologies: 3 Pre-Filter electronic grid, filter plus a final carbon impregnated post filter.
Square Footage: 500 SQ. Ft.
Replacement Filter Costs: Replacement Carbon Filter: 34.95 (3-6 months), Nylon Pre-filter: 39.50, Plates cost 160 to replace if broken or chipped
Yearly Costs: 100.00
Speeds/Decibel Level: SPEEDS-NOISE LEVEL: Powerful 3 speed Fan: Low -40db, High 55 decibels
Pros – Good for Smoke
Cons- Not good for Pollen
Warranty – 1 year- parts and labour from date of purchase new only.
Number of Speeds – 3
SIZE & WEIGHT – (ease of moving to different rooms): Weighs 30 pounds – 19″ by 15″ by 21.5″Filters – Pre, Electrostatic, Carbon
Friedrich Air Purifier Particle Test
Air Purifier Rating
1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 3
2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 5
3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 1
4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 2
5. Longevity/Quality 7
6. Noise Levels 3
7. Ease of Use 9
8. Warranty 4
9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) 8
10. Price Value 4
Score: 46 = Fair
Conclusion
If you have a lot of dust or smoke then it might be of use, or you have a heavy duty application (warehouse, garage, etc.) where you can wash it out every day or so then it might be a fit. It’s too big and ugly for a house, doesn’t collect enough pollen (no Hepa), and won’t kill germs and bacteria for my liking.
Friedrich air purifier review: Summary and Detailed Review.
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Click the STEP 3 Reviews tab or return link at the bottom of this page
Friedrich Purifier Summary
Model: C-90B PointsPoints 68/100
Up to 490 sqft
MSRP 549
Conclusion: A good, all-around purifier.
Detailed Review Below
Friedrich Air Purifier Detailed Reviews
Model: Friedrich C-90B
Rating Score: 68/100 points
Review note: I have personally used, tested, and evaluated this purifier.
Summary
This is a good, general, all-around purifier. The C-90B does a good job of cleaning and cleans a respectable size area. Maintenance costs are low. The warranty is only one year, but
the purifier should last much longer with proper care. Generally, purifiers of this type have a shorter warranty because some users do not maintain them properly. If this purifier catches your
eye, it will be a decent catch. Make sure to read STEP 5 Buying Tips, for getting the most Friedrich for your money.
Basic Specifications
The C-90B is designed for spaces up to 490 sqft (6 air changes per hour). This purifier is “passive technology” as the air must travel through the purifier to
be cleaned. The C-90B uses a 4-step process. Air is first drawn through a pre filter. Particles are then charged and attracted to the collector plates as they pass. A basic electrostatic
precipitator. In the last step, the air passes through a carbon filter. The C-90B has a 3-speed fan and offers a 1 year warranty. The carbon filter needs changing every 4-6 months (28 X 2 =
54/yr). This purifier is easy to clean and maintain with a quick change carbon filter.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating from The Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM) Smoke 326 / Dust 384 / Pollen 421
Rating Factors:
1) Value 16/20 pts – The MSRP is 539. Converting the “What is removed” to rating factors scale = 3/5 pts. I rate the cleaning ability for up to 490 sqft at 1.5/2 very well. My
equation is 539/(3*1.5)= 119.8. 119.8 equates to a 16/20 pts for value.
2) Quality 10/15 pts – This purifier uses commercial grade materials and should last if maintained and cleaned regularly. Workmanship 4/5 pts, Technologies 4/5 pts, Support/ Setup material
2/3 pts, and intangibles 0/2 pts.
3) What is Removed 9/15 pts – The C-90B uses a 4-step process. Air is first drawn through a pre filter. Particles are then charged and attracted to the collector plates as they pass. A basic
electrostatic precipitator. In the last step, the air passes through a carbon filter. Particles >0.3 microns 1/1 pt, Odors and Gases 2/3 pts, VOCs 1/2 pts, Basic Microorganisms 2/3 pts,
Particles <0.3 microns 3/3 pts, Advanced Microorganisms 0/2 pts, Any other additional 0/1 pt.
4) Yearly Operating Costs 9/15 pts – The carbon filter needs replacing every 4-6 months. 27.99 x 2 = 55.98/year. Electricity usage ranges from 47 to 90 watts. I’ll make an assumption
of 68 watts. 68 watts/1000 X .0886 cents x 24 hours X 365 days = 52.78. Total Yearly cost 108.76.
5) Warranty 2/8 pts – The C90B comes with a one year warranty.
6) Maintenance and Cleaning 5/7 pts – The manual states cleaning depends on usage, which is true. The unit has a pre filter and Electronic cell that needs cleaning. The pre filter cleaning
takes a few minutes, but will require dry time. The electronic cell can go in the dishwasher if it fits, otherwise expect about 15 minutes to scrub and rinse per instructions. I would count on
30-45 minutes every 30-60 days. Other maintenance includes carbon filter replacement every 4-6 months. This unit will save you money on filters, but a certain amount of effort is needed to keep
it clean and in top working order.
7) Manufacturer Years in Business 5/5 pts – Located in San Antonio, TX. Friedrich has been in business since 1883.
8) Look and Feel 4/5 pts – The purifier has a functional “old technology” look. Most will find it a bit dated to look at. Weighing in at 33 lbs reinforces the old technology feel.
You will find simple and usable controls.
9) Set-Up Time 5/5 pts – Unpacking the unit and getting it up and running is easy with total time under 10 minutes. No problems here. As with any purifier, studying the materials further
will allow you to get more out of your purchase.
10) Noise Level 3/5 pts – The 3-speed fan has decibel readings as follows: low(40 dB) 1/2 pts, medium(50 dB), and high(55 dB) 2/3 pts. You may hear a snaping noise the first time starting
the purifier and when it needs cleaning. The snap should be infrequent under normal, clean operation.
total = 68/100 points
Conclusion: A good, all-around purifier.
Return to STEP 3 Reviews from Friedrich Air Purifier
Friedrich Company Info
Friedrich Air Conditioning Company was founded in 1883 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas and primarily focuses on air conditioning systems. Friedrich only has one electrostatic air purifier on the market. The original Friedrich C-90A was discontinued in 2005 and replaced by the Friedrich C-90B, which is identical except for improvements in the efficiency of the fan so the unit can cover a larger area.
Friedrich C-90B Air Purifier Reviews
The Fredrich C-90B air purifier has received outstanding reviews from consumers as an airborne particle remover. The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) has been calculated at 326 for tobacco smoke, 384 for dust and 421 for pollen, making it a very close competitor to the Blueair 500, the top ranked air purifier in this category. The unit will clean an area of 506 square feet, enough to condition the air in a large room or office.
Air Purifier Technology
The C90-B air cleaner’s primary function is to eliminate airborne particles such as dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and other pollutants. The ability of the unit to remove odors from a room is simply a byproduct of this process. The unit does contain a thin carbon mat as a pre-filter, but it is not specifically designed to absorb odors and chemicals.
Electrostatic air cleaners contain a set of plates that sends an electrical charge across the air flow, causing all of the particulates in the air stream to collect on the charged wires. The major drawback of the system is that it requires frequent cleaning, and in an environment with there are challenging factors like mold and tobacco smoke, it has to be cleaned every three days to maintain efficiency. The air cleaning plate assembly can be placed in the dishwasher — if it fits, it is quite a large –or hand washed by soaking in very hot water. The plates are fragile and have to be handled carefully. The pre-filter and carbon filter can be vacuumed to maintain peak effectiveness, but will lose the ability to absorb odors unless replaced.
Friedrich Air Purifiers and Consumer Reports
In response to the Consumer Reports studies concluding that electrostatic cleaners are not effective and emit excessive amounts of ozone, Friedrich has issued a press release stating that the C-90B Electronic Air cleaner produces a small amount of ozone, but does not reach harmful levels. According to their documentation, the amount of ozone produced by their unit is just 0.005 to 0.020 PPM, which is 250 percent below the level of 0.050 considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration. The C-90B unit also meets the standards of the Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for safe ozone emission.
The Friedrich press release also points out that the Consumer Reports’ testing did not take into account the fact that ozone breaks down into oxygen when it comes into contact with interior surfaces like furniture, walls and carpets. They also note that allergy and asthma sufferers who are sensitive to certain products — especially air fresheners — benefit from the presence of ozone because it helps break down irritating odors. It does not, however, contain a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity filter (MCS) that is recommended for asthma sufferers.