john

NeoAir Company Info

NeoAir manufactures high grade air purifiers that range from typical HEPA and carbon activated filtration systems to high tech ultraviolet filtration for hospital grade sterilization. New NeoAir filter units are only available through online sources and can not be found in retail outlets. The brand has been in the marketplace long enough to have developed a healthy positive reputation among consumers who have posted glowing reviews of the filters on several different retail websites.

NeoAir Air Purifier Technology

NeoAir air purifiers are manufactured in China and exported to a United States base of operations in Miami, Florida. These filters have been available to United States customers for approximately two years. The company strives to remain environmentally safe and claims that that their air filters emit very little ozone. NeoAir states that their pre-filter and HEPA/Carbon filters enjoy long life spans and do not need to be replaced very often when the units are used on a daily basis.

Since the air purifiers utilize a multi-filter system, owners will need to replace the pre-filter as well as the HEPA or Carbon filter at different times. The pre-filter tends to need replacement more often than the internal HEPA filtration system due to the fact that it collects more particulates than the HEPA/Carbon filter.

All of the units offered by NeoAir were created with portability in mind. Even the more powerful units are designed to be moved comfortably from room to room. NeoAir’s innovative multi-filter design includes a pre-filter that catches particulates from the air before the air passes through a more delicate HEPA or Carbon filter.

Some units include a third layer of filtering that involves the use of UV light filters or sterilization filters for medical uses. Some NeoAir purifiers are designed specifically to remove mold and mildew from basements, boats, and other areas that acquire moisture on a regular basis. NeoAir is committed to finding affordable ways for consumers to improve the air that they breathe through researching and developing new technology in air purifiers of all types.

Air Filter Price Ranges

Prices may vary depending on the website where you shop. Shipping and handling charges will also impact your final cost. Customers who need more than one air purifier can take advantage of discounts that NeoAir offers for purchases of two or more air filters at once.

Oransi Company info

Oransi is a company based in Austin, Texas that has primarily been manufacturing and distributing air purifiers for 15 years. The company was started by Peter Mann, whose child suffered from asthma. Because of this, Oransi strives to make air purifiers that can especially help people suffering from asthma and allergies. Peter Mann also started Alen Corporation, another air purifier company. Oransi prides itself on a business model of giving back to the community by employing stay at home moms, encouraging employees to work from home to cut down on motor emissions, and donating 5% of their income to promoting student interest in the sciences.

Oransi Air Purifier Technology

The v-hepa air purifiers are energy star qualified and operate at a low cost. The company states that they are the quietest HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air purifiers on the market, and are RoHS lead free directive certified. Oransi’s HEPA filters utilize two filters to clean the air. Air will go through a pre-filter which traps large particles. By filtering out the biggest particles, the pre-filter helps extend the life of the next filter – the HEPA filter. The HEPA filter removes 99.97% of dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, smoke and other particles that are between 0.5 and 2.0 micrometers in size. The filter also utilizes low air flow resistance so it can function more powerfully and effectively.

The v-hepa filtration system also includes negative ionization, which uses chemical injection technology. Negative ions are molecules that have an additional electron. This electron makes the ion negatively charged. Because the ion is charged, when it touches another element like a particle of dust, it sticks to it. The air purifier sucks in dust laden air, and the negatively charged ions stick to the dust and trap it inside the machine.

To entice new users, Oransi is offering three additional HEPA filters when you buy a new v-hepa air purifier. These three filters should keep your purifier running for the next two years. The purifiers are small and less than six inches deep so they can fit easily and unnoticeably into corners and against walls. The company claims that compared to other air purifiers, these are very quiet machines, and that they are easy to use and incredibly effective at removing particles from the air. The air purifiers do not weigh more than 10 pounds, and thus are easy to move around.

These v-hepa air purifiers have a v-lock magnet that creates a strong seal around the air filter. This seal locks the filter cover in place and makes sure that all the air inside gets filtered properly. While other air purifiers cost anywhere from $3-$8 in electricity per month, it only costs $2 a month in electricity to run a v-hepa air purifier. This filter has safety certifications from ETL, GS and CE as well as the RoHS lead free directive, and is made of fire-resistant ABS materials. As a safety feature, if someone opens up the cover of the air purifier, it will stop working. Oransi stands by its v-hepa purifiers, going so far as to offer a 10 year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee.

The two ionic air purifiers use negative ionization to remove odors and particles from your room or fridge. They work silently, do not require you to replace the filters and come with a one year warranty.

Panasonic Company info

The Panasonic brand is known the world over, as is the company’s short but significant brand slogan: “ideas for life”.  The Panasonic Corporation’s headquarters are in Osaka, Japan, and this multinational corporation started up in 1918 as the Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works. At the time of writing, the corporation has 680 subsidiaries, which are divided up into 14 different business domains. Panasonic is one of the largest corporations in the world and boasts market share in almost every country on earth.

Panasonic specializes in the manufacture and sale of all types of electronics products, which products are broadly classified into three groups: consumer products, business products and industrial products. The Panasonic air purifiers fall into the consumer products’ group, and, although these purifiers may have been manufactured under a different brand name in the past, in 2008 the corporation consolidated all separate brand names into one umbrella brand: “Panasonic”.

Air Purifiers Sold Under a Few Different Names

Panasonic continued to sell air purifiers under only the Panasonic brand name until December 21st, 2009, when it purchased Sanyo, another large Japanese electronics company and one that already had its own brand of air purifiers. At present, Panasonic-manufactured air purifiers are marketed under both the Panasonic and the Sanyo brand names.

Apart from Sanyo – which markets Panasonic air purifiers under the Sanyo brand name – a further two of the Panasonic Corporation’s 680 subsidiaries manufacture and sell air purifiers: Panasonic Corporation of North America and Panasonic Ecology Systems Co Ltd. Although both the multi-award winning Panasonic and Sanyo brands have been known for their product excellence for many years, it is unclear exactly when the companies began to develop and manufacture their air purifier lines.

Price Range

Consumers looking to buy an air purifier from the Panasonic Corporation of North America, which markets three distinct models. Those looking to buy from Panasonic Ecology Systems Co Ltd, which does business out of Hong Kong and supplies mainly the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, will have to contact the company directly in order to ascertain unit prices as the company’s website is silent in this regard. Panasonic Ecology Systems Co Ltd has eight distinct models of air purifiers for sale.

Panasonic Air Purifier Technology

The Panasonic Corporation of North America claims that their air purifiers both “reduce noise” and “save energy”. It also claims that their units’ High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters only have to be replaced every three years and remove over 99.5% of all noxious air particles larger than 0.3 microns. The purifiers marketed by Panasonic Ecology Systems, on the other hand, claim to sport sophisticated “nano” technology that “senses, attacks and inhibits” as many as 28 separate strains of allergens and viruses. This nano technology is apparently aided by such features as the units’ front and upward 3D Circulation Airflow systems and their anti-allergen substance, Super Alleru-Buster.

Pure Air Systems Company Info

Pure Air Systems is celebrating 25 years of service in the production of commercial-grade air purifiers. The company states on their webpage that they offer the best filtration systems on Earth, with a focus on using the latest technology that does not compromise the environment. Pure Air Systems has been in business since 1985 and is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. They offer a complete line of air cleaners that use HEPA and carbon base filtration systems and have experienced a 20% growth rate on an international level each year.

Allegedly, Pure Air Systems has a reputation for manufacturing high quality, high performance HEPA air filtration systems that are dependable and reliable for residential homeowners. Yet what makes this company unique to its competition is that it has been the one to offer many “firsts”. The company was the first to offer commercial-grade air cleaners for residences and the first to use GE ECM digitally controlled speed motors, an appeal to the international market. Furthermore, Pure Air Systems claims to be a green company, reducing waste and using less energy.

Pure Air Systems Air Purifier Technology

The steel frames of the air cleaners account for less waste and disposing of the parts. The motors on the air cleaners are energy efficient and have Energy Star ratings. In fact, the GE ECM speed motors have accounted for using 50% less electricity than other motors on the market. Besides having a general concern for the environment, Pure Air Systems also uses commercial-grade parts throughout their air cleaners, including HEPA filters that are certified at 99.99% in trapping airborne particles. With a focus on the residential market, new advances have been made, such as the ability to use a by-pass arrangement to install a whole-house filtration system instead of having individual units in each room.

In fact, many of Pure Air System’s air cleaners can be used as either portable units or attached to a HVAC system. While all of the products use high-performance HEPA filters, the air cleaners can also be purchased with carbon filters instead. Although the company focuses on the residential market, their knowledge in using commercial-grade products has also led them to offer a complete line of commercial air cleaners as well.

Rexair Company Info

Rexair LLC was founded in 1932 in Troy, Michigan, where it maintains headquarters to this day. Rexair has consistently sold just one product line through the years, the Rainbow Cleaning system. This series of home cleaning appliances uses the power of water sometimes combined with a HEPA filtration system for deep cleaning interior surfaces and improvement of indoor air quality. In 1959, the company developed a direct marketing strategy using independently distributors whose sales methods were focused on door-to-door tactics and home demonstrations.

Sales and Testing For the Rainbow System

Known as “The Rainbow Opportunity,” the Rexair company continues to use the direct-sale method of advertising and distribution for their Rainbow vacuum cleaners and recently introduced a line of Rainbow RainMate room air fresheners. Rexair is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) and adheres to their policies of conduct and advertising.

Rexair’s Rainbow Cleaning System appliances have been tested by independent laboratories and received the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) seal of approval and the Carpet Industry Standard (CRI) certification for removing three elements that affect carpets – soil removal, containment of dust particles and overall carpet appearance.

Trademarks and Brands

Rexair has registered trademarks for Rainbow, eSeries, e2, AquaMate, Hurricane and Rainbow Mate. They also sell cleaning products, fragrances and deodorizers that are designed to work specifically with their machines.

The Rainbow eSeries Vacuum combines a water bath filtration and HEPA Neutralizer filtration using a brushless process to trap dirt, dust, pollen and allergens, both from surfaces and from the air. The unit contains a water reservoir that can be emptied out, eliminating the need for vacuum cleaner bags.

Where To Find the Rainbow Products

Rexair products are not offered in any retail stores, only through direct marketing demonstrations and online independent dealerships. Some independent distributors have established their own local showrooms and repair shops to service the units they sell and have online marketplaces for supplies and replacement parts. The retail price of a Rainbow RainMate air purification system varies since they are priced according to whether or not they come with extra scent packages. Since there are no filters to replace, the only ongoing expense is the fragrance additions.

You have to contact the company directly for information about prices and distributors in your area either through their website at http://www.rainbowsystem.com/rainbowsystem/locator or you can call (248) 643-7222 during regular business hours (EST).

Overview

Riccar makes just a handful of air purifiers sold through authorized dealers.  Two of its units were submitted for testing under the Clean Air Delivery Rate program but scored low.

Riccar Models

Riccar EcoPure Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

• Smoke – NA / 450
• Pollen – NA / 450
• Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

• Score – NA / 100
• Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
• Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 324 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 28-85 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 15″H x 13″W x 8″D

Weight: 8.9 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : No

Riccar RAPL Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

• Smoke – 183 / 450
• Pollen – 194 / 450
• Dust – 182 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

• Score – NA / 100
• Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
• Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 284 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & PlasmaWave

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 21.9″H x 16.5″W x 9.9″D

Weight: 18.8 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Riccar RAPM Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

• Smoke – 117 / 450
• Pollen – 138 / 450
• Dust – 126 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

• Score – NA / 100
• Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
• Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 180 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & PlasmaWave

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 18.5″H x 13.8″W x 9.1″D

Weight: 13.7 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Air Purifier Noise Chart – Decibel Ratings of Common Sounds

Source

Decibel Rating (dB)

Falling leaves

Soft music

Mosquito buzz

Normal voices

Traffic sounds

Vacuum cleaner

Rock concert

Pain threshold (jet take off)

Perforation of ear drum (gun shot)

160 and higher

Riccar Company info

Riccar is a division of the Tacony corporation, the family-owned business primarily known as a wholesale distributor of high-quality vacuum cleaners, ceiling fans, sewing machines and floor care equipment with their headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. The Riccar label is under the home floor care division which also includes the Fuller Brush Company. In 2007 the company launched the Riccar FreshBreeze and EcoPure air purifying systems and marketed them alongside their line of vacuum cleaners.

Products Offered, Warranty Info, and Pricing

Riccar vacuum cleaners and air purifiers are only sold through authorized dealers, usually professional vacuum cleaning shops and repair businesses. These dealerships have received factory training regarding the line of Riccar products they carry and their technicians can provide customer support services and repairs in-house. These products are also available online through auction services as new, used or refurbished models, but are not covered by warranty when purchased from such dealers.

Riccar FreshBreeze products come with a 2 year warranty and the EcoPure air purifiers only have a 1 year warranty. The larger FreshBreeze model sells for between $500 and $600 while the smaller model cost $350 to $490. The compact EcoPure ranges from $40 to $75. Filter cassettes for FreshBreeze models cost $60 to $70, and only $20-$25 for the EcoPure.

Riccar Air Purifier Models

• Riccar FreshBreeze RAPL – The large Riccar FreshBreeze RAPL air purifier features a 5-stage room air cleaning system designed for a regular sized bedroom or office, about 280 square feet. Standing 21.9″ tall, 16.5″ wide and 9.9″ deep, this unit weighs 18.8 pounds and comes with a metallic silver plastic case. The filtration system includes a washable anti-bacterial cotton filter for trapping big particles, a washable nano-silver mesh/carbon filter to neutralize bacteria on contact, a HEPA filter that can capture 99.99% of the particles down to .3 microns, a charcoal filter to eliminate odors and a PlasmaWave electrostatic filter to neutralize odors, bacteria, viruses and chemical vapors.
• The fan comes in 4 speeds — low, medium, high and turbo — and can be controlled on the unit or via remote control. The LED digital display has a timer that can be set for 1, 4 or 8 hours and includes a “sleep mode” for quiet nightime operation. The display panel includes a dust and odor sensor that allows you to automatically monitor the room’s indoor air quality and adjust the fan if needed. You can set this feature to run in automatic mode to instantly adjust to the level of impurities in the air. The control panel also has a light sensor that, when activated, automatically switches the unit to the lowest, quietest fan setting (and dims the display panel) when the room is dark.
• There is a CHANGE FILTER indicator on the control panel that will light up when it is time to replace the 3 non-washable filters, which come in a single cassette for easy changing. The filters have to be replaced around once a year, depending on usage. The washable filters should be cleaned every three months.
• Riccar FreshBreeze RAPM – The smaller Riccar FreshBreeze RAPM air purifier has the same 5-stage air cleaning system as the big model, as well as all the control features and a LED screen with remote. The metallic blue plastic model stands 18.5″ high, is 13.8″ wide and 9.1″ deep and weighs 13.7 lbs.
• Riccar EcoPure – Riccar’s EcoPure is a compact tabletop air filtration unit that uses a 3-stage process which includes a HEPA filter, an antimicrobial pre-filter and a carbon-deodorizing filter to freshen the air and to block particles down to .3 microns and capture 99.97% of the dust, mold and other contaminates from a small room. The system also has an electrostatic filter to capture airborne particles and neutralize bacteria. The filter lasts for 12-15 months, depending on frequency of useage. The EcoPure air purifier is extremely quiet to operate — only 46 decibels on high speed — and has two fans to circulate the air at three different speeds. Weighing only 9 lbs., this small unit easily fits on a desktop or nightstand.

For more information and service, you can call toll-free to 1-888-6-RICCAR (in Canada call 403-248-4344) or to find the nearest authorized service representative, use their internet form at http://www.riccar.com/where-to-buy/.

Sharp Company Info

Sharp Corporation’s business creed is “sincerity and creativity”, and the companies making up the Sharp empire generally succeed in living up to this ideology.

The small manufacturing business owned by Tokuji Hayakawa that would eventually become today’s multi-national Sharp Corporation – named after their iconic product, the “Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil” – began life in Japan in September 1912. Hayakawa incorporated in 1935, and his business became known as Hayakawa Metal Works Institute Co. Hayakawa’s – soon Sharp’s – energetic marketing and innovative engineering quickly combined with their products’ universal appeal to make Sharp a leader in the manufacture and sale of industrial, corporate and household electronics.

Sharp branched out into the design, manufacture and sale of air purifiers during 2000 and soon introduced their Plasmacluster ion air purification technology to the public. Sharp claims that the Plasmacluster system is a world first as it “deactivates” airborne impurities by emitting both positive and negative ions. Sharp’s advances in the air purification field have been recognized by several international institutions, and the company has been awarded both the Japanese Takagi Award and the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval.

Sold As “Sharp” or “Sharp-Roxy”

Sharp Corporation, which is headquartered in Osaka, Japan, comprises 13 separate Japanese companies, 44 consolidated overseas companies and 12 unconsolidated overseas companies. Not all companies are, however, involved in direct-to-public sales, and some concentrate on research and development. Air purifiers are, furthermore, not sold through all of Sharp’s manufacturing/sale outlets but are offered for sale by at least 23 of them. All air purifiers are sold under the “Sharp” brand, except for those available in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, which are sold under the “Sharp-Roxy” brand.

Air Purifier Price Range

The purifiers sold by the Sharp companies are listed below, with the companies in roughly the same order as found on the Sharp Corporation website.

Share & Bookmark:

Sharp Air Purifier Models

Sharp Electronics Corporation: Sharp USA is presently headquartered in Mahwah, NJ.

• FP-P35CX: purifies rooms measuring up to 228 square feet;
• FP-P40CX: works equally well clearing air of dust, pollen and smoke;
• FP-P60CX: features an odor-sensor that automatically adjusts purifying speed;
• KC-C100U: includes a 10-hour humidifying function; and
• KC-C150U: boasts an 8.5-pint humidifying system.

Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd: The Canadian company is located in Mississauga, Ontario.

• FP-R30CX: has double the ion-generation capacity of earlier Plasmacluster units;
• KC-C70U: equally effective against fungi, bacteria, viruses and mold spores;
• KC-C100U and the KC-C150U: see the American unit list;
• CV-P12PX: comes with an LCD remote control unit; and
• CV-P10MX: one of Sharp’s few portable purifiers.

Sharp Corporation Mexico SA de CV: Sharp Mexico’s corporate offices and manufacturing plants are located in Mexico City and Baja California respectively.

• FP-P40CX, the FP-P60CX, the KC-C100U and the KC-C150U: see the American unit list;
• KC-C70U: see the Canadian unit list; and
• FP-R45CX: can operate in both active and passive modes.

Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH: Offices are located in Hamburg, Germany, and Vienna, Austria.

• KC-850EW: features 3 fan speeds;
• KC-860E: runs on both automatic and cleaning modes; and
• KC-930EUW: has a 2-in-1 filter that removes odors and dust particles.

Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd: Sharp UK includes the Middlesex corporate offices and the state-of-the-art Oxford research facility.

• KC-860EKW, the KC-850EKW and the KC-930EKW: see the German units KC-860E, KC-850EW and KC-930EUW;
• FU-Y30EUW: features a filter that deodorizes and cleans the air.

Sharp Electronics (Nordic) AB: Sharp Sweden is headquartered in Bromma, Stockholm.

• KC-C70E: see the Canadian unit KC-C70U; and
• KC-C100E and the KC-C150E: see the American units KC-C100U and KC-C150U.

Sharp Electronics (Schweiz) AG: Sharp’s Swiss office is found in Rüschlikon, Switzerland.

• KC-6400E: features a pre-filter specially designed to remove extra-large particles; and
• KC-6500E: comes with an active washable carbon filter.

Sharp Electronics France SA: Sharp has a manufacturing and sales presence in both Paris and Soultz.

• KC-850EW and the KC-930EUW: see the German unit list; and
• FU-Y30EUW: see the British unit list.

Sharp Electronics (Italia) SpA: Sharp’s Italian plant is located in Milan.

• KC-840EW: includes sensors that measure humidity, odors and dust level;
• KC-850EW and the KC-930EUW: see the German unit list; and
• FU-Y30EUW: see the British unit list.

Sharp Electronics Benelux BV: Sharp Benelux serves Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg and is headquartered in Houten in Holland.

• KC-840EW: see the Italian unit list;
• KC-850EW: see the German unit list;
• FU-Y30EUW: see the British unit list; and
• FU-W28E: features an anti-bacterial micro-HEPA filter.

Sharp Electronics Espana SA: Barcelona is where Sharp’s presence in Spain is located.

• KC-860E: see the German unit list;
• KC-6500E: see the Swiss unit list;
• FU-P60SE: features a “silent” ventilator mode;
• FU-60SES: comes with a “clean indicator” that shows when purification is complete;
• FU-425E: operates in both pollen and auto-quick modes;
• FU-440E: accessories include the filter package and remote control unit;
• FU-40SES: can alternate between pollen and snuff modes; and
• FU-21SES: its LCD screen includes both the Plasmacluster and clean signal indicators.

Sharp Electronics Sales (China) Co Ltd: Sharp has a major presence in China, with offices/plants in Shanghai, Nanjing, Changshu and Wuxi.

• FU-Y180SW: eradicates between 96% and 97% of all airborne microbes;
• FU-W150SW: displays a 98% purification efficiency;
• FU-W240SW: features three separate filters; and
• FU-W240SR: displays a >98% sterilization efficiency.

Sharp-Roxy Sales (Singapore) Pte Ltd: Sharp’s facilities in Singapore comprise both corporate offices and a service center.

• KC-840E: see the Italian unit KC-840EW;
• KC-860E: see the German unit list;
• KC-850E and the KC-930E: see the German units KC-850EW and KC-930EUW;
• FU-Y30E: see the British unit FU-Y30EUW;
• FU-W28E: see the Dutch unit list;
• FU-W43E: its high-density ion shower emits 7,000 ions per cubed centimeter;
• FU-W53E: features a deodorizing/HEPA filter that can last for 5 years; and
• FU-Y28E: specially designed to remove dust mites and viruses.

Sharp (Phils) Corporation: The Philippines’ Sharp plant is located in Manila.

• KC-860E: see the German unit list;
• KC-930E: see the German unit KC-930EUW; and
• FU-W43E: see the Singaporean unit list.

PT Sharp Electronics Indonesia: Sharp has a presence in both Karawang and Jakarta.

• KC-C70E: see the Canadian unit KC-C70U;
• KC-C100E and the KC-C150E: see the American units KC-C100U and KC-C150U;
• KC-840E: see the Italian unit KC-840EW;
• KC-860E: see the German unit list;
• KC-850E and the KC-930E: see the German units KC-850EW and KC-930EUW;
• KC-6400E: see the Swiss unit list;
• FU-Y28EW: see the Singaporean unit FU-Y28E;
• FU-Y30EW: see the British unit FU-Y30EUW; and
• FU-S28E: features an inverter control fan system.

Sharp Corporation of Australia (Pty) Ltd: Sharp Australia is located in New South Wales.

• FU-Y30JW: see the British unit FU-Y30EUW;
• FU-W28J: see the Dutch unit FU-W28E; and
• FU-W53J: see the Singaporean unit FU-W53E.

Sharp Electronics (Vietnam) Company Ltd: Sharp Vietnam is headquartered in the country’s largest business center, Ho Chi Minh City.

• KC-840E: see the Italian unit KC-840EW;
• KC-930FUW: see the German unit KC-930EUW;
• FU-Y30EW: see the British unit FU-Y30EUW;
• FU-W28E: see the Dutch unit list; and
• FU-W53E: see the Singaporean unit list.

Sharp Electronics Incorporated of Korea: Sharp has offices in both Seoul and Incheon.

• KC-960K: removes 99% of all airborne viruses;
• KC-950K: its HEPA filter features particle eradication, sterilization and humidification functions;
• KC-860K: the KC-850K and the KC-930K: see the German units KC-860E, KC-850EW and KC-930EUW;
• KC-940K: helps maintain a healthy relative humidity of 60%;
• KC-840K: see the Italian unit KC-840EW;
• FU-570K: features an odor-sensor with adjustable sensitivity levels;
• FU-Y50K: comes with a HEPA-certified filter that purifies and humidifies;
• FU-650K: features the new-generation “clean-out mode” function; and
• FU-Y30K: see the British unit FU-Y30EUW.

Sharp Corporation Taiwan: Sharp Taiwan is based in Taipei.

• KC-850T: see the German unit KC-850EW;
• FU-W43T: see the Singaporean unit FU-W43E; and
• FU-Y30T: see the British unit FU-Y30EUW.

Sharp-Roxy (Hong Kong) Ltd: The Hong Kong head-office is located in New Territories.

• FU-W25AW: removes all odors including garbage and cigarette smoke;
• FU-Y30A: see the British unit FU-Y30EUW;
• FU-W50A: includes a deformaldehyde filter that removes up to 96% of the air’s formaldehyde;
• FU-W40A: discharges the Plasmacluster concentrated ion-shower every 15 minutes;
• KC-840A: see the Italian unit KC-840EW;
• KC-850A and the KC-860A: see the German units KC-850EW and KC-860E;
• KC-C70A: see the Canadian unit KC-C70U; and
• KC-C100A and the KC-C150A: see the American units KC-C100U and KC-C150U;

Sharp-Roxy Sales & Service Company (M) Sdn Bhd: Sharp bases in Malaysia are located in Kedah, Selangor and Johor.

• FU-Y28EW, the FU-W43EW and the FU-W53EW: see the Singaporean units FU-Y28E, FU-W43E and FU-W53E;
• FU-Z31E: offers continuous air-flow monitoring;
• KC-840E: see the Italian unit KC-840Ew; and
• KC-850E, the KC-860E and the KC-930EW: see the German units KC-850EW, KC-860E and KC-930EUW.

Sharp India Limited: The Indian Sharp manufacturing arm is located in Maharashtra.

• FU-W53E, the FU-W43E and the FU-W28E: see the Singaporean unit list.

Sharp Amenity Systems Corporation: Although this corporation, which is located in Osaka, Japan, manufactures and sells air purifiers, its website contains no itemized list of units.

Sharp also has manufacturing/sales outlets in Poland, Russia, Thailand and the UAE. As these companies, which are listed below, do not appear to have websites, no data is available regarding which, if any, air purifiers they sell:

• Poland: Sharp Manufacturing Poland Spzoo
• Russia: Sharp Electronics Russia LLC
• Thailand: Sharp Thai Co Ltd
• The UAE: Sharp Middle East Free Zone Establishment

Filter Queen Company Info (HMI Industries)

Founded in 1928, HMI Industries, Inc., has been providing surface cleaning technology such as vacuum cleaners and air filtration products including the Majestic 360° surface cleaner and Defender 360°room air cleaner. With distributorships in over 40 countries, the Health-Mor division of HMI — located in Cleveland, Ohio — has promoted their products through independant distributors that use door-to-door demonstration marketing techniques.

Price Ranges

The retail price varies greatly, depending on if the air cleaner is purchased with the surface cleaner.

FilterQueen Defender Air Cleaner

The FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner is a 24-hour indoor room air pollution filter that is classified as an FDA Class II Medical Device in the USA. Advertised as a quiet, energy efficient unit with a 3-speed programmable motor, the FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner is manufactured by Lydall Technical Media which issues a FGI certification with each filter. Tests are conducted on the media filter cartridge by Nelson Laboratories.

Test Results

Test results show the filter cartridge to have an efficiency rating of 99.999 percent for particulate removal, and Intertek Testing Services determined that the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) performance was up to standards. Tests conducted at Indoor Air Solutions found that the filters capture dust, smoke, pollen, dust mites, mold spores and allergens associated with pets and insects such as cockroaches.

FilterQueen Air Purification Technology

An additional feature on the FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner is the Enviropure Charcoal Filter® that cleans tobacco smoke from the air. The University of Tulsa’s Center For Environmental Research and Technology determined that the charcoal filter was twice as effective at cleaning tobacco smoke from a room as the next closest test subject, which is not identified in the literature.

The air filters used in the FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner technology do not produce ozone like many other air filters. The filter status is on a timer and a”change filter indicator light” alerts the owner each month to change the filter. The Secure Seal Technology™ and Pure Top Release™ construction claim to ensure that particulate matter does not escape the unit while operating or during routine maintenance.

Customer Criticisms

Criticisms of the company’s marketing techniques include claims that the in-home high-pressure sales strategies can drag on for hours and show that there is a significant markup on these products because stubborn customers are offered incredible discounts. The practice of offering sweepstakes, contests, prizes and combination deals are used to generate leads for the in-home demonstrations.

Another misleading tactic that critics point out is the “Better-than-HEPA filtration” claim, because it does not make it clear that most HEPA filters will actually capture particles as small as 0.1 micron, and that 0.3 microns is only used as an industry standard. It is also not make clear that neither the carbon or the fiberglass pleated HEPA filter is washable or renewable. The fact that the unit does not contain an ionizer to produce ozone is advertised as an advantage because they claim it “may be problematic to your health,” whereas many air filtration products use ionization to effectively reduce the count of the airborne particulates.

FilterStream Company Information

FilterStream, makers of the AirTamer air purifier, is a division of Headwaters, Inc. based out of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Headwaters, Inc., originally in the consumer durables business, was formed in 1993 by Troy Anderson and Rudy Vandenbelt. Anderson and Vandenbelt, former co-workers at Black & Decker, founded Headwaters, Inc. to make a difference by creating sound, high-quality products that work.

Today, the company has a global presence in over 32 countries and features three main divisions through which various wellness-themed products are sold – Sound Oasis, Body Essentials and FilterStream. The FilterStream division sells its cordless hand vacuum, the DirtTamer, and the AirTamer air purifier, introduced in 2009.

AirTamer Purification Technology

AirTamer air purifiers are touted to deliver greater cleaning power at lower costs, all while conserving more energy per use compared to competitor models. According to co-founder Troy Anderson, there is no other air purifier of this type on the market that achieves the level of cleaning power from a watt of electricity than the AirTamer does.

The AirTamer design involves six fans that generate large amounts of air through capture filters that rid the air of harmful particles and debris. The AirTamer also features a flexible filter system, meaning users can replace AirTamer filters with any 16×20 filter on the market, giving them greater convenience, more options and the opportunity to save on operating costs.

Customers looking to stay loyal to the brand can try one of several replacement filters designed specifically for the AirTamer unit. The Germ-Odor-Virus Protection Filter is said to cause a 74.5% reduction of airborne viruses and a 22.5% reduction in mold, reportedly in the first two hours of use. This filter is recommended for combatting viruses like Swine Flu and other related virus strings. Additionally, AirTamer models feature Aroma System filters, which simultaneously clean and scent the air with scientifically-developed aromas like Energizing Grapefruit and Relaxing Lavender.

Each model boasts extremely quiet fans, flat-panel like thin design, five fan speed settings, a programmable timer and a built-in indicator to notify the user when it’s time for a filter change.

AirTamer Portable Air Purifiers

The company also features three portable air-purifier solutions: The A300 and A302 travel purifiers and the A400 auto air purifier designed for portable use in the car. Currently the company is offering a free travel air purifier with the purchase of any AirTamer model.

AHAM Certified Clean Air Delivery Rate

All AirTamer models are Energy Star compliant and certified by the American Home Appliance Manufacturers Clean Air Delivery Rate program. Each unit carries a one-year warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship.

FilterStream is an official selected sponsor of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show.

Funglan Company Info

Funglan air purifiers are manufactured by Funglan Environmental Protection & Technology Co., Ltd., located on the mainland of China. The company began production of their air purifiers for home and car in 2004. The company continues research and development in areas to improve indoor environment. They distribute only Funglan brand products.

Funglan Air Purifier Technology

Funglan utilizes an innovative and patented technology in their air purifiers. Their unique air washing system generates a water screen that washes bacteria, odors and other particles from the air. The company claims that their water spraying system can remove 99% of dust, pollen, bacteria, odor, ammonia, benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other organic pollutants. It uses both HEPA and Active Carbon filters to filter even the smallest of airborne particles.

Funglan claims:

• Air purified with one of their purifiers with a water spraying system is fresher than air purified with other types of systems. Other purifiers make the air dry and astringent while air purified with a Funglan system smells of water. The waterfall inside the unit produces millions of negative ions to make the air even fresher.
• The water spraying system also acts as a humidifier.
• The Funglan water air purifying system is very low maintenance and the filters can last up to three years. Filters in other systems last from three to six months. Their filters last longer because the water absorbs most of the airborne particles.
• The antibacterial filters are also washable, which allows the pollutants they absorb to decompose, cutting down on the odor and harmful gases that furniture and carpet can release into the air.
• The case that contains the air purifying system is made from environmentally friendly material. The paint is also ecologically safe.

Funglan’s air purifiers are the only units on the market with the water washing system.

General Electric (GE) Company Info

The General Electric Company, commonly known as GE, is a US multinational corporation conglomerate with its headquarters in the state of New York. Ranked as the world’s second largest company in 2010 by Forbes magazine, GE employs 304,000 people around the world. GE® ENERGY STAR® Air Purifiers come in three different sizes to accommodate various sizes of home and office indoor environments. All three units are certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and are ENERGY STAR® rated.

Air Purification Products, Pricing, and Where to Find

GE began making air purifiers in 2007 and they are made to GE’s specifictions by overseas manufacturers. The three models of GE® ENERGY STAR® 115V air purifiers vary in cost. GE air purifiers are available online through Amazon or at retail stores like Sears and Frys Electronics. They generally receive favorable reviews although they have won no awards or special acclaim.

The three models of GE® ENERGY STAR® 115V air purifiers vary in cost. GE air purifiers replacement HEPA filters come with a color-coded chart to help you determine when they should be replaced. Standard HEPA filters need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months depending on how frequently they are used and the air quality conditions. GE offers cut-to-fit foam pre-filter air cleaner replacements, and the HEPA replacements come in packs of two.