Top Air Purifier Reviews

Air Purifier Advice

Hunter Total Air Sanitizer – Air Treatment 30405 Is this one good for odors?

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by Wayland
(Kansas City, KS)

Q: Hunter Total Air Sanitizer 30405 – Is the Hunter Total Air Sanitizer 30405 a good brand to eliminate odors?

Thanks

A: In a word: NO. But if you can handle the loud volume of it the Hunter 30405 is ok for removing dust and pollen. Being a Costco brand it is at least easy for getting replacement filters.

Here is some of the info/specs on it:

99.9% Effective for dust pollen
HEPA Air Sanitizer
CADR:
107 Smoke
131 Dust
168 Pollen
– Patented Technology Captures and Kills
– Airborne Germs, Viruses and Bacteria
– Energy Star Certified
– 5 Year Warranty
– For rooms up to 26’ x 30’
– 3 Speeds – Sound Levels:
– Low – 45 decibels (VERY LOUD – and this is LOW!)
– Medium – 54 decibels
– High – 59 decibels
– Dimensions: 9.0″ W x 10.5″ D x 26.5″ H
– Weight: 14 lbs

So what’s my opinion of it?

You have a hard time finding reviews on this model, because they have not sold very well. And the ***** price of $299 didn’t work so now they’re on Sam’s Club for only $169.

The Hunter Total Air Sanitizer 30405 is also just a 2 technology unit (HEPA and a patented technology for electrifying the HEPA).

I couldn’t find where to get the replacement filters and cost on this – so if any one cones across that please email me…

For the money you can easily get something with more technology, that’s quieter, and better made.

Breathe Well,

Mark

Air Purifier to remove perfume smell

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by PAul
(VT)

We bought a condo in VT 1 year ago – strong perfume smell in bedroom – we have an IQ Air Filter – helps some – but we want to end the smell – knock it out – ideas?

MY RESPONSE:

Well that stinks. Besides things like Fabreeze any Air Purifier to remove perfume smells will have to kill or disable the odor molecules which may be adhered to the walls etc. Is it really perfume or do you think it is industrial cleaner from the party that sold it?

Several options exist: Hitting it with a dose of ozone may be able to get to it. Just don’t be in the room. You can often find an inexpensive Ozone machine like the one here. Under $100 and you can use it later.

I don’t think most carbon or eletrostatic nmachines would do enough to get rid of it without the air purifier on all the time.

Good Luck.

Does the electro-static air purifier make a zapping noise

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by Elaine
(Sunnyvale, CA)

I love your website. Excellent resource. I’m interested in the Alive Air but I’ve had an electro-static Honeywell that sounded like it was zapping things constantly. I don’t like the sound. Does that happen with the Alive Air? If not, why would the Honeywell make a zap and this one would not?

Thank you,
Elaine

Hi Elaine,

The air purifier zapping noise comes from the electrical charge caused by electrostatic “plates”. Think of the zapping noise as a very small electrical short. The electrostatic plates are why the Oreck Air Purifier and the Honeywell have this zapping noise problem on occasion.

I’ve had instances where cleaning them off, and removing any hair or dust can reduce any zapping noise in these models.

The Alive Air Machine was purposely designed to use a grid (which has holes) rather than plates, and hence does not create a zapping noise.

Hope that helped…

Breathe Well,

Mark

Lung disease air purifiers : Is it a good idea?

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Hi Should people with interstitial lung disease use air purifiers? If so what is the best one?

A; That’s a good question. Whether Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, pneumonia, or other forms of interstitial lung problems the important thing is to avoid any irritants such as ozone. To keep airborne toxins and irritants away from the lungs will help reduce any stress on the lungs.

What I recommend is an air purifier that is primarily HEPA and Zeolite or Carbon such as this:

CADR Ratings: Is it a Good Measure of Air Purifier Quality?

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I have had many calls and emails asking me about CADR Air Purifier Ratings. What it means, and whether it is a good way to measure air purifier quality. Especially when they find companies that do not use it.

Here is my experience…

What are CADR Ratings

Would you like a reliable way to compare one air purifier to another? The AHAM CADR rating is one method used by some air purifier manufacturers to promote the value of their products.

But what is this CADR air purifier rating? Is it a reliable means to compare air purifiers? If so, why do so many top-quality air purifier manufacturers not bother to get their units rated?

CADR, short for Clean Air Delivery Rate. Developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) as a means of providing air purifier ratings to consumers.

Basically, CADR is a measure of an air purifier’s ability to produce pollutant-free air.

The CADR measures a certain number of cubic feet per minute. That is, the CADR essentially states the volume of clean air a portable air cleaner can produce at one time. For example, suppose a particular model has a CADR of 250 for dust. That means the unit can reduce dust particle concentration equivalent to adding 250 cubic feet per minute of dust-free air.

The manufacturers in this association are the very ones who determine what to test, how it will test, and what is a good performance. They decide by a negotiated mutual agreement among the associated manufacturers.

Obviously, the air purifier manufacturers have a vested interest in creating a test their products will perform well in. Unfortunately, this conflict of interest has created a test with severe limitations.

Many air purifier companies actively market their cleaners based predominately on this rating which stands for “Clean Air Delivery Rate”. It is a measure of air flow, not air purity. Therefore, other companies will skip this CADR Air Purifier Ratings altogether. Because it does not address some technologies critical to cleaning and purifying the air. CADR is associated with air flow alone, make its numbers, at best, Irrelevant and at worse, Misleading.

Why is it misleading to compare air purifiers by CADR numbers?

Most units only state three CADR numbers: one for smoke, another for dust, and a final one for pollen, which are the largest of all particles.

The number means much the same thing in each case. It still refers to the ability to reduce that material’s concentration by a certain amount in each time. It’s just that virtually all units can do that differently for the different kinds of home air pollutant. So the manufacturers state different ratings for each category. There are lots of reasons for that: particle size and weight, filter efficiency which differs from one type to another, and more.

One of the reasons home air purifier makers go to the trouble of measuring and reporting those three different numbers. Is that they are (almost) all members of the AHAM, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

That organization certifies that the numbers that air purifier makers report are accurate and honest. They use an independent, 3rd party lab to test the devices and verify the numbers reported.

Of course, “honest” is a little bit of a relative term here. No major manufacturer tries to deliberately misreport their numbers. That would threaten their membership in the AHAM and result in bad publicity, something none of them wants. But there are various ways they can report those numbers that can differ from one device to the next.

How to Easily Manipulate CARD Numbers

The fact is, if a manufacturer wanted to market their purifier just according to the CADR numbers. They can simply ‘beef up’ the fan speed, eliminate certain technologies and just manufacture the same limited filtration systems most companies use. For example, if you pull air too quickly through the unit to artificially inflate your CADR numbers. Any UV technology that protects you and your family from harmful germs and viruses. That traditional air purifiers miss, might negate any effects of killing germs and viruses.

CADR Air Purifier Ratings Do Not Factor Germs, Bacteria, Mold, Mildew, Fumes, Odors, etc.

The CADR is basically only a measure of how rapidly air circulates through a given air filtering device. While this figure is perhaps relevant for most filtration-only devices that attempt to clean air using only one or two types of filters. It is meaningless because filtration is simply one single aspect. The fact is that the CADR number tells you nothing about how well, or even “IF”, an air purifier filters germs, bacteria, viruses and other harmful biological agents. Neither does it assess how well the unit clears chemical fumes and odors.

The easiest way to think of it is that, even though everyone in the industry refers to their products as an air “purifier”. The fact is that most competing products out there are simply air “filters” that do not use anywhere near the number of additional “purification” technologies available, e.g., UV light, TiO2, activated charcoal, negative ionization, etc.

Ways of Reporting CADR

Two different home air purifier makers may have units with identical CADR numbers but still be quite different in their ultimate effects.

The key to using CADR numbers to compare models accurately lies in two things: (1) take them as approximate, (2) look closely at what is behind them. The first is obvious, but what does (2) mean?

Simple, just get the context around that number. Look for the number of air exchanges per hour, and the specific room characteristics assumed by the CADR. The AHAM gives manufacturers a little leeway here.

A stated CADR references a ‘standard’ room. Ensure that your room is ‘standard’. That is, the standard used for CADR’s assumes an 8-foot-high ceiling because the ordinary home has (or had for many years in the U.S. after WWII) a ceiling that high.

As the years have rolled on, more and more home designs deviated from that, so adjust accordingly. If your home has a cathedral ceiling, an open area that leads up to a second floor, or other deviation from ‘the norm’ look for a home air purifier with a larger number to compensate.

In brief, don’t assume that because your floor area square footage is the same or even smaller. Than what the model specifies that the device will purify your room air totally. The device operates, after all, on the total volume, not just the air from your head on down.

It’s a good idea to follow the AHAM’s “2/3 Rule” but modified. What’s that?

The (Modified) 2/3 Rule

Suppose you have a room measuring 10′ x 12′ (120 square feet) whose air you want to purify and keep smoke-free. You should look for a home air purifier with a Smoke CADR number of at least 80. (120 x 2/3 = 80).

The CADR test on the air purifier only use the highest setting. Since your home unit will typically run at the middle speed/power most of the time. The CADR obtained by the 2/3 Rule is the bare minimum and you should add about 30% to get a ‘floor’ on the CADR number.

So, start with 120 x 2/3 (the 2/3 rule) = 80. ADD 1/3 to that, so: 80 + (80 x 1/3) = 107 (approx).

That calculation assumes an 8-foot ceiling. So naturally if you have one that’s higher or not flat, open to another story, etc. multiply accordingly. It would be too complicated to detail here what is “accordingly” for the general case, so just approximate your situation.

For example, if you have a 12-foot sloping ceiling, add about another 30% to the number. So, for this case, that number becomes: 80 + (80 x 1/3) + (80 x 1/3) = 133 (approx).

CADR Helpful but Not the Only Factor to Consider

CADR numbers, helpful as they are as a starting point. They are not the only important feature for ensuring a good air purifier model as the ratings don’t capture some especially useful information.

For example, because the AHAM tests are short they don’t tell you how the air purifier will perform over the long haul. They also don’t encapsulate how well the air cleaner captures small particles. Which are often the most damaging to health nor do they tell you how well a model removes VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which can be unpleasant or even unhealthy.

So, the moral is: use the CADR as a starting point but look also to other features of any home air purifier you’re considering before you make a final choice.

To start on the process the AHAM maintains a searchable Directory of Certified Room Air Cleaners.

Include link – https://www.ahamdir.com/room-air-cleaners/

The size of these pollutants is quite large in comparison with other particles found in the air. Over 90% of all airborne particles in our homes and offices are smaller and include viruses, bacteria and mold.

CADR air purifier comparisons provide no indication of a filters efficiency at removing these smallest of all particles. These are the  the ones that purifiers are generally the least efficient at removing. This test also does not measure gas and odor reduction. Since most people buy air cleaners for these purposes, this standard is of no real value to consumers.

Longer-term tests clearly show that collector plate loading by contaminants can reduce efficiency to less than 20%. This can have a severe impact on Clean Air Delivery Rate that would not show up in the CADR testing. Failure to provide consumers with this critical information prevents them from understanding how important it is to follow use and care directions routinely.

The top four reasons the AHAM CADR rating is unreliable

  1. The rating test performed by CADR is not a strict, definitive test. It fails to address the majority of lung damaging airborne particles.
  2. The test just measures the elimination of the particles. Even ionizers rate well. The well-documented ineffective filtration and dangers of ionizer air purifiers is a good indication that this test is questionable.
  3. The test does not measure the performance of the elimination of gas and odors. Although many people buy air cleaners for this purpose.
  4. The major downfall with the test is that it does not measure long-term performance. The values in CADR air purifier comparisons represent performance during the first 72 hours of use. Air cleaning system generally run for 5000 hours before you replace the filter. The performance over this span will often be drastically lower and depends to a significant degree on the construction of the air cleaner and the air cleaning technology.

Based on these concerns CADR air purifier comparisons are questionable and fail to really serve the best interests of consumers. The manufacturers of the world’s best air purifiers universally ignore this test. Submitting to it would seem to grant it an air of credibility while failing to really prove the superiority of the air purifiers they have to offer you.

A better standard than the AHAM CADR rating is available

A superior testing method to the AHAM CADR rating went into effect in 2000. This determines HEPA efficiencies in the smallest of particles over extended use. It determines air purifier effectiveness under a worst-case scenario.

It is known as EN1822 (European Norm 1822).

Link – https://www.en-standard.eu/set-en-1822-and-en-iso-29463-standards-for-heigh-efficiency-air-filters-epa-hepa-and-ulpa/

The EN 1822 standard tests air purifier effectiveness over a broad range of particle sizes. This determines the particle size the filter is the worst at removing, known as the Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS for short). These particles then test the filters efficiency at air speeds that reflect actual use conditions.

Since this gives the absolute worst-case scenario performance measure, there is assurance of real-world performance in their own homes.

CADR Conclusions

CADR will give you some idea of how the air flows across your HEPA filter, but that is about it. It will not give you any idea of the purifier’s effectiveness in eliminating odor, gas, viruses, bacteria, etc.

What is MERV Rating for Air Filters?

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Introduction

The discussion below is about MERV rating for air filters. You use air filters in air cleaners which are also known as air purifiers. Air conditioners and furnaces also use MERV rated filters.

What is MERV or the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value?

MERV or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value measures the performance of large air purifiers in cleaning a whole house or building. It demonstrates how efficient an air filter is at catching particles of various sizes. The higher the MERV the better the filtration properties of a filter.

Clean Air Delivery Ratings or CADR measures the performance in smaller portable air purifiers.

Link to CADR Article

The Environmental Protection Agency defines MERV as:

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERVs, report a filter’s ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (µm).

Environments Protection Agency

MERV measures the performance of different filters. It then goes on a say that the higher the filters rating the better it is at trapping certain particles.

Some of the common air contaminants are pollen, bacteria, pet hair, dust mites, carpet fibres and tobacco smoke.

How were MERV Ratings created?

Created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in 1987. They were based on older standards created by the ASHRAE called “Standard 52” which was the first formal method of testing air purifiers.

Donald Newell states that the previous standards tested the following properties of a filter:

1. Particle removal capacity, 2. Resistant to airflow, 3. Expected operation life

Donald Newell’s paper

But MERV only measure the first of these qualities which is particle removal capacity.

MERV rating measure the effectiveness of a filter to trap particles if different sizes.

How the MERV Ratings are Calculated

MERV values can range from 1 to 20. The higher the value the less particles or contaminants can pass through the filter. MERV ratings are determined by completing a series of tests for each air cleaner. Twelve categories of different sized particles introduced into the test air. The 12 categories divided into 3 size ranges called E1, E2 and E3. Each of these ranges has 4 further sub ranges.

  • E1 0.3 to 1.0 µm.
  • E2 1.0 to 3.0 µm
  • E3 3.0 to 10.0 µm.

The size of the particles which range from the smallest diameter to 0.3 to the largest 10 micrometers (µm). For comparison, a human hair is about 50 µm in diameter. The particles then pass through the filter and the density of the particles recorded before and after passing through the filter. The size of particles ranges from 0.3-0.4 micrometers (microns) to larger particles from 7 to 10 micrometers. The lab completes the test six times. So, there are six results for each of the 12 categories, a total of 72 tests in all. The final count is a plus the total number of particles in the air originally converts into a percentage. The MERV is determined by the worst achieving result. That is why it is known as the minimum ERV. Here’s how Air Filter MERV Ratings relate to the size of particle trapped:

  • MERV 1 to 4— <20% of large particles (3 to 10 microns) captured
  • 5 to 7—Between 20% and 69% of large particles captured
  • 8 to 10—Approximately 85% of large particles and 50% of small particles (1.0 to 3.0 microns) captured
  • 11 to 16—More than 90% of large particles and between 70% and 90% of small particles captured
  • 17 to 20—Even the smallest particles (< 0.3 microns) captured

Is a higher MERV rating better?

Not in every case. It is not so simple as the higher the value the better the filter is for you. A filter with a higher MERV rating has smaller pores. This makes it more difficult for the air to flow through. This can create more resistance in the running of your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system) which can make it more inefficient to run. Reducing the air flow generated can worsen the air quality in your home and damage the fan on your air conditioning unit.

You need to choose the highest MERV rating recommended for your machine. If you are using a filter with a higher MERV rating than that recommended by the manufacturer this means that you HVAC system must work harder to maintain the same airflow. This could put more pressure on your system and possibly damaging it. Therefore, you should always use the filter with the MERV rating recommended by the manufacturer.

Filter with a MERV rating of 7 to 12 are suitable for removing most particles in a domestic situation. A MERV rating 8 can filter out contaminants such as pollen, saw dust and mold spores. Hospital generally use filters with a MERV rating of 13 to 16. A MERV rating 13 with smaller pores can filter out bacteria and tobacco smoke. Clean rooms, surgical operating rooms and areas requiring absolute cleanliness generally use MERV rating of 17 to 20. Filters with higher MERV rating filter require more frequent replacing. Although lower rated MERV filters are less efficient over all they allow more air flow which can help your HVAC system.

MERV Rating Charts

There are various MERV rating charts available. This chart shows the pollutant types filtered out at each MERV rating. Link: http://www.mechreps.com/PDF/Merv_Rating_Chart.pdf

What MERV rating filter would you use in your home?

The filter in a HVAC system traps dust, allergens, and bacteria. and mold. The MERV rating shows how effectively a filter prevents dust and other particles passing through a filter into the airstream. Medium efficiency filter from 7 to 13 are best at removing small to large particles. These can be as effective as HEPA filter art controlling indoor air particles. These filters are generally more expensive than HEPA filters.

The air filters are quieter and allow more airflow in the HVAC fans than HEPA filters because they have less airflow resistance. ASHRAE recommend fitting of rating 13 for HVAC systems home air conditioning. But check your system can cope with this filter. As a higher rating filter will mean less air flow and higher electricity costs. If your system can not cope with this rating, go for the highest rating recommended for your HVAC system. HEPA filters help improve air quality. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. Link to HEPA Page You need to change your MERV filter more regularly with higher MERV rate filters.

Otherwise, they become clogged which then restricts the air flow. This makes them less efficient and can damage the machine. A higher MEV rated filter is usually thicker which means the HVAC unit must work harder to pump the air around the system. So, the energy costs are more expensive. MERV 5 to 8 rating is generally good to remove dust, mold spores and pollen. If you suffer from allergies a higher rated MERV between 10 -12 would be good. As this filter can trap particles as low as 1 micron such as pollen, mold spores and automobile exhaust.

The filter has two main types, pleated and non-pleated. The pleated is usually a higher MERV rating and more expensive. A MERV rating of between 10 -12 should be sufficient to remove allergy causing particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. Some of the better-quality air filter have a carbon layer which is useful to remove odours such as pet smells.

Pre-Filters vs. Final Filters

Final filters are the primary filter in an HAVC system or in standalone air conditioners. If used the pre-filters filter out the larger particles in the air flow and the final filter filters out the remaining smaller particles. This has the advantage of prolonging the life of the expensive final filter.

How often should I change my air filter?

How regularly you change your air filter can depend on several factors: 1. Air filter model 2. The quality of indoor air 3. Number of people in the household 4. Number of Pets 5. Level of pollution outside the home Manufactures usually recommend that you replace basic filters every 3 months. If you suffer from allergies, you can change them more frequently.

How to compare air cleaners?

The MOD method is the only measure to particle reduction by high grade filters. The Federal Government use this method. This is the MOD system used by the military for high grade air filters. 

However, there are two private trade associations which have set standards for the rating of removal of particles from the air by system or portable air cleaners.

They are the ASHRAE and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) The standards measure how effective an air cleaner is in removing particles from the air, used in comparing different models. These standards only measure the effectiveness of removing particles from the air. There are no standards for how effective air cleaners are at removing gaseous pollutants from the air. There is no conclusive research to show how effective different models of air cleaner are at removing these pollutants.

What is pressure drop?

Pressure drop is air resistance. Your air filter is a barrier between your HVAC system and your vents. That slows down the amount of air that can pass through your vents to your system. The amount air flows slowed by the filter is its pressure drops. The pressure drop varies according to how tightly woven is the fabric of the filter. The more tightly woven the harder for the air to pass through and therefore the greater the pressure drop. All filters will result in some pressure drop.

Fiberglass filters with a MERV rating of 1-4 have some pressure drop. But as there is only a small drop in air flow this has little effect on air quality. This is because they are highly porous letting small particles pass through the filter and only trapping some of the larger particles. Pleated filters have a higher MERV rating of between 8 and 15. These are pleated filters which can filter out small particles effectively with only a slight pressure drop.

These filters do initially have an initial pressure drop but if you change the filters regularly this does not harm your HVAC systems. As you use the filter after a time dust, dirt and mold will become trapped in your filer reducing air flow and increasing pressure drop. Replacing your filter every two to three months will retain your HVAC system performance.

The MERV filter recommended for preventing the transmission of airborne illnesses such as COVID-19?

Although ASHRAE does not recommend a specific MERV rating to cope with preventing COVID infections it does suggest upgrading systems to MERV rating 13 or highest possible achievable in emergency plans. 

HVAC systems may decrease people’s exposure to airborne pathogens that spread COVID 19 and other diseases. Most HVAC system come fitted with filters of MERV rating of 8 and above. A filter with MERV rating of 13 and above can trap viruses. Upgrading to a HVAC filter rating filter could improve your systems ability to trap viruses. HVAC systems can be adapted to fit these filters. You can also consider running your filter either continuously or more frequently. In some systems you can run the fan without heating or cooling. Remember that air cleaners alone will not stop CIVID 19 viruses.

Limitations of the MERV Rating System

The MERV rating can only predict the size of particles it removes from the air. But gases are also a pollutant and the MERV rating is of no use for them. Newell states that air filters:

are likely to perform worse than predicted because of various installation conditions.

Donald Newell’s paper

MERV rating assigned under perfect laboratory conditions and may not be accurate in real world situations. This is known as the installation affect.

MERV rating are only applicable to air cleaner used in whole building and are not effective for small portable air cleaners.

Conclusion

The MERV Rating is a useful way to determine the capacity of large air cleaners. Calculated by testing filters. The worst-case performance of the test then used to calculate the MERV rating. There are other factors to consider when buying an air filtration system. You should not go just for the system with the largest MERV.

Do Air Purifiers Really Remove Viruses?

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Can Viruses Be Filtered By Air Purifiers?

Because viruses are to small, most air purifiers cannot capture them effectively, although most claim to in their promotional material. Air purification systems that have HEPA filters, ultraviolet lights and electrostatic filters achieve the best results since none alone can guarantee consistent removal and eradication of viruses from the air stream.

HEPA Filters

HEPA filters have been used in biomedical applications since the 1940s to prevent the spread of airborne bacteria and viral organisms. Specific requirements for different types of HEPA classifications range from cleanroom quality to true HEPA filters to HEPA-like filters. True HEPA filters are available for the residential market and they are regulated by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to be 99.997% efficient, allowing no more than 3 particles in 10,000 to penetrate the filter. Even the best HEPA filter will not kill viruses, however, and can lose its effectiveness at trapping viruses as the particulate matter builds up and causes more resistance to the airflow.

Air purifier manufacturer IQ Air has claimed to develop a HyperHEPA (IQ Air’s trademarked name for this technology) filter capable of removing particles down to .003 microns in size with 99.5% efficiency.  This is 100 times more effective than sta  IQ Air backs up its claims by measuring each shipped air purifier with a laser particle counter.  Conceivably, these IQ Air models could be the most effective units on the market in filtering viruses. Even though these purifiers are used in some hospitals and clean rooms, according to the EPA there is no standardized test available to measure the effectiveness of virus filtration.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)

Health care professionals use ultraviolet lights to neutralize airborne microorganisms like germs, bacteria or viruses, although some mold and bacteria spores are resistant to UV radiation. For residential applications, however, the EPA warns that there is no standard to measure the effectiveness of UV cleaners and portable units and they probably have a limited effectiveness in combating viruses.

For UV lights to be most effective they need to be exposed to the air flow longer than most residential units allow. Therefore, the most effective air purifier designs direct the UV lamp onto the HEPA filter so the particles trapped by the filter are treated by the UV lamp for a sufficient period of time to destroy the viruses.

Electrostatic Precipitators

This method of air purification uses opposing charges to cause particulates to stick together and fall out of the air and land on a collection plate. Filters capture very fine particulates, including viruses, but it does not kill them. According to EPA studies, efficiency declines rapidly as the collection plates become covered with debris and must be changed often if they are the sole air purification method. When combined with a HEPA filter and UV lamps, however, electrostatic units maintain their effectiveness much longer.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)

PCO cleaners uses hydroxyl radicals to remove gaseous pollutants but does not remove particulates. The EPA cautions that PCO cleaners’ effectiveness in residential settings is limited, and testing has produced inconclusive evidence of their effectiveness against volatile organic compounds (VOC). In fact, some PCO devices were found to produce new indoor air pollutants while failing to destroy existing pollutants.

Ozone Generators

According to the EPA, ozone generators can be a threat to public health despite claims they neutralize odors and irritants in the air. Although studies have proven that ozone removes certain biological contaminants from the air, data suggest that the resulting concentration of ozone would exceed acceptable standards, up to 5 to 10 times higher than recommended. Air purifiers that emit small amounts of ozone — .01 to .02 or less — are safe and do assist in removing viruses from the air stream.

Conclusion

  • The EPA’s August 2009 report on air cleaner effectiveness indicates that standards are needed to guide tests in determining the effectiveness of air purifiers on virus removal.  Currently, no standard exists.
  • Bottom line – Inconclusive.  HEPA filters may be able to capture some viruses and prolonged ultraviolet light may be able to kill viruses but with the lack of testing standards, effectiveness is currently unable to be determined.

Source information:

Room Air Purifiers Air Cleaners

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Room air purifiers – clean the indoor air in your home or office & breathe easy.

Room air purifiers come in many makes and models so it is very important to compare air them before you make a purchase. With so many pollutants that fill the air, you should definitely shop around for room air cleaners in order to get one with a high rating to effectively clean all the harmful airborne dust particles in your home. When you consider all the great things that cleaning the room air can do, it won’t be long before you are purifying your own room.

In fact, it isn’t just the room that sometimes needs to have air air cleaners. Commercial office settings and shopping areas, where people often keep a purifier, are also popular locations. The air Hunter, especially, can clean the air in your home and/or work place. Regardless of the small size of the location, the best air purifiers for comparison are designed with a specific generator to meet the square footage requirements that you demand. They are perfect for large industrial spaces and small spaces that might benefit from a clean room of air.

If you suffer from allergies, it is important to purify the air as it can benefit you by removing the allergens and airborne contaminants that cause all types of asthma symptoms. When these airborne contaminants enter the purifiers, they are often destroyed by an ultraviolet light. The light creates a photochemical process that kills bacteria, viruses, mold, organic contaminants and other unhealthy gases. Air purifiers often utilize what are known as anti-microbial filters that house a form of carbon that will absorb chemicals, gases and literally clean the ozone! They are built to adhere to stringent levels of safety that insures the purity of the air you breathe.

For people who suffer from lung and/or respiratory problems and a lower immune system, it is best to visit airpurifiertips4u.com. They offer a good comparison of discount purifying machines. Compare air cleaners and discover how many models will effectively clean areas that are 1800 square feet or larger!

Some brands you might want to review include, Honeywell, Austin Air, True, Hunter, Holmes Products, Friedrich, Oreck, Biozone, Austin, AllerAir, Hamilton Beach and Sharper Image.

The best purifiers for comparison can be found online. In todays environment, where pollution and chemicals have become a common fact of life, making a thorough review to find the best model is a must. Think more seriously about getting a new air cleaner and you won’t be sorry you did.

Room Air Purifiers Cleaners

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Room air purifiers: rid your home of dangerous dust particles, eliminate odors and breath fresh air again

When you want to rid your home of that musky smell, room air purifiers just might become your new best friend! These awesome machines help to eliminate many of the common indoor air pollutants.

Room air cleaners can be found in many sizes, models and prices. Before you make a decision, you will want to do a little research to make sure you are getting exactly what are the best room air purifiers.

Many people mistakenly believe that because they are indoor, that there isn’t any of the air pollution that they would find outside. The truth of the matter is that even when you are indoor, you are surrounded by air contaminates. Indoor air pollutants that can be found inside include: dust, pet dander, smoke, allergens and odors. The best way to manage these pollutants is to enlist the help of a room air purifying and cleaning system, for your home or office.

A few things you should know:

  • Hepa air purifiers – Hepa filtration systems are recommended for people who suffer from severe allerges and asthma symptoms
  • Ionic air cleaners – Ionic air filters don’t require the use of a filter, to purify the indoor air in your home or office. These are not effective for room air cleaning, I suggest staying away from them even with the lower price.
  • You should find out the square footage of the area or room your are trying to purify. An air purification system should be verified for a room size by the AHAM Clean Delivery Rate (CADR).
  • look for a product with the AHAM seal. If the purifier doesn’t have that seal of approval then it does not follow the strict verification guidelines imposed by the AHAM.

Room air cleaning machines are made by many companies, including: Oreck, Honeywell, Hoover, Clear Flite and Air Oasis. The air cleaners designed to be used in a room posses a filter that works to attract and trap pollutants. The pollutants are then sent to a type of foam that capture the pollutants. Once the contaminates are trapped, they will not be circulated back through the air.

The features associated with a room air cleaner can include: quiet motor, active technology, HEPA filter, low electricity usage and they can be programmable. It is said that the very best of these air cleaners will be plate less and grill less.

 

Sharp Air Purifier Review

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The Sharp Air Purifier Review kicks off the first of our unique Air Purifier Review – 5-Key Factors Model.

We chose to start with Sharp Corporation partly because it is a company that is nearly a century old. In business, age and track record counts a lot.

Our introductory Sharp Air Purifier Review at Ezine.com sets out the history of Sharp as a multinational corporation and the chronological development of their unique ionic air purification technology.

Founded in 1912, Sharp has had a long track record of innovations that resulted from a culture of cutting edge technological research and development. This tradition resulted in the invention of the renowned plasmacluster ion technology in 2000. Recognising the potential of this technology in a world that is more and more concerned about health and environmental issues, Sharp has expended extensive time, effort and money to bring this technology into everyday appliances at home, at work, in the factory, on the road, rails and even in airplanes.

But what impressed more than pedigree was that Sharp, amongst its competitors, seems to take pains in being transparent with information. Not perfect but enough to stand out. Whilst we are disappointed in not being able to get Sharp to respond to our survey questionnaire based on our unique Air Purifier Review – 5-Key Factors Model, we are still impressed with the abundant amount of information that they have made publicly available.

Sharp Air Purifier Review – Unusual Insight of Marketing Strategy

What can be more transparent than revealing the marketing strategy for Plasmacluster Ion Technology? Amazing! On 16 January 2009, Sharp explained its phased marketing approach as follows:

(a) Phase I

Focus on research and development resulting in the rollout of Plasmacluster Ion technology in air purifiers, air conditioners, refrigerators, cyclonic vacuum cleaners, washers/dryers and LED lightings.

(b) Phase II

Working with 13 academic research organizations around the world, Sharp aimed to boost confidence in this technology by demonstrating its efficacy against a total of 27 pathogens and harmful substances, including airborne viruses, allergens, mold and adsorbed odors.

(c) Phase III

Sharp is now moving towards demonstrating the effectiveness of the technology in actual living spaces.

As of 16 January 2009, Sharp is working with 24 different companies with a view to incorporate Plasmacluster Ion technology. These include whole house air conditioning system, commercial air conditioning and heating duct systems for hotels and hospitals, smoke control systems, car air conditioners, railcars, elevators, toilets, electric bathroom heater/ventilator/dryer, gas fan heater, mist sauna, air sanitizer, etc.

What will follow in our Sharp Air Purifier Review includes an overview of their patent-pending Plasmacluster Ion technology, a chronicle of the “academic marketing” that Sharp has developed almost to an art and their plans to take this to the next level.

It will come as no surprise if it is Sharp’s undeclared aim to dominate the ionic air purifier industry. With their cutting age technology that is continually being improved and their flair in academic marketing, it will be no surprise that they will succeed.

It is also our belief that somewhere, someone is already working on producing the first scientific peer review in the air purifier industry. It will not surprise us that the most logical candidate will be Plasmacluster Ion technology.

If and when the debutante scientific peer review is announced, it will have 2 stunning impacts. First, Sharp’s already skyrocketing Plasmacluster Ion product sales will get a huge boost and the fleet-footed will pounce on Sharp shares! Second, the scientist’s name will be plastered on each and every piece of the millions of Sharp’s marketing literature!

To recap, our full Sharp Air Purifier Review of several articles will cover the following aspects:

(1) Safety – in relation to the reactive agent (2) Safety – in relation to unintended by-products (3) Efficacy – the reactive agents work in the lab (4) Efficiency – the reactive agents work in the real world (5) Scientific Peer Review.

 

Smoke Air Purifiers

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When you wish to buy a smoke air-purifier, ensure that it has: a filter designed to remove smoke; multilevel filtration to remove not only smoke, odor, and gases, but also fine particulate contaminants; a motor with permanent split capacitor rated for continuous high revolutions per minute (RPM); at least a 3-year warranty; a HEPA filter. Some recommended smoke air-purifiers are given below.

White Kaz Honeywell HepaClean Air Purifier Model: HHT-011

This model offers a three-stage filtration process to clear air of up to 99% of microscopic particles such as mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke and dust. The filtered air then enters an ionizer, which provides additional cleaning and air-freshening. This model is great for small rooms and is ideal for a bedroom, nursery, office, kitchen, or your smoking den; 3-year warranty.

Blueair 403 HepaSilent Air Purifier This is an Energy Star 3 air-purifier featuring HEPASilent technology, five times air change/hour for 365 sq. ft., a 240 CADR rating, and a 10-year warranty.

Whirlpool Air Purifier Whispure 510

This brand is specially designed for large rooms, bedrooms and offices. It features a true HEPA air purifier that can filter dust, pollen, dander, mold spores, allergens, smoke, and fabric fibers in your air.

Surround Air XJ3800 IntelliPro Air Purifier Review

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The Surround Air XJ-3800 Air Purifier is a state-of-the-art air cleaner that provides optimal air filtering and purification

Its sleek and futuristic design sets it apart from the competition, but appearance is not the air purifier’s only strong point; below are the purifier’s features and the benefits you will get from them.

Features of the Surround Air XJ-3800

  • Easy to use
  • Seven air- filtering systems
  • Air quality sensors
  • Quiet system settings
  • 30-day risk-free warranty
  • Multi-filtering system. While the competition uses a respectable two or three-way filter system, this air purifier uses seven. Specifically these are: an electrostatic dust collector, a UV lamp capable of killing germs, a HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter that absorbs chemicals and odors, and a photocatalytic filter.
  • Efficient. This air purifier is guaranteed to remove 99.97% of contaminants from the air within a space of up to 600 square feet- making it extremely useful for a wide variety of locations.
  • Promotes healthy living. People with allergies and respiratory illnesses will experience less discomfort with the use of the Surround Air XJ-3800 Intelli-Pro Air Purifier. Wit it you are promised nothing but clean and pure air to breathe.
  • Intelligent monitoring and reporting. The device has a cutting-edge monitoring system that gives you easy-to-read and instant data about its performance. There are also a set of lights that will tell you how clean or contaminated the air is. You will also be able to identify which contaminant is present in the air, whether they be dust, odor, or allergens thanks to sensors specifically calibrated to detect these.
  • Reminds you when it’s time to clean. The air purifier’s Intelli-Pro Filter Indicators will alert you when it is time to clean or replace filters to ensure continued optimal function.
  • Noiseless operation. You can set up the air purifier to run at Quiet setting, in fact this is the setting you’ll be using most of the time. For the infrequent times you do need to set the device to its highest settings, it will only emit a bit of sound.
  • 30-day risk free guarantee. You can try using this air purifier for thirty days. If you are not satisfied with its performance you will be able to return it an get your money back.
  • Warranty. This air purifier is covered with a warranty that allows you to have it repaired or replaced free of charge for the first three years.

Pros Of The Surround Air Purifier

  • Accurate air quality sensors
  • 30-day warranty
  • Multiple filtering power system
  • Low-cost maintenance
  • Completely safe ionizer

Click Here To Buy The Surround Air XJ-3800

Cons Of The Surround Air Air Purifier

The air purifier’s UV light indicator is always on and with no easy means to turn off. This may become an annoyance to people who like to sleep in total darkness. What you can do to avoid this is to plan where to put the device. If you do not like lights on when you go to sleep, you can just position the purifier in such a way that you won’t see the indicator light.

Our Verdict On The Surround Air XJ-3800

The Surround Air Air Purifier is fantastic machine that’s chock-full of features at a very reasonable cost. You will not regret buying it.

TOP Air Purifiers Reviews

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Oransi V-HEPA Finn Air Purifier

This is a pretty expensive air purifier, but that’s about the only “negative” thing I can say about it. It’s really quiet, you get 2 filters in the box with the machine, and the v-HEPA lasts 2 years before you have to replace it. It’s really small, which is nice if you want to shove it in the corner somewhere or hide it behind the lamp on your nightstand.

You don’t always get a fantastic warranty on these types of devices, and I think here’s why you pay extra for the Oransi. It’s got a 10 year warranty. I usually trust that a manufacturer issuing a warranty builds the product to last about that long (it makes sense from a service perspective since it saves on warranty claims). The company claims that you will save about $200 on filters since these ones last so long. I sure hope that’s true. Is it worth the money? I think so.

Blueair 503 HepaSilent Air Purification System

The Blueair is amazing. You pay a lot of money for it (it’s one of the most expensive units I’ve ever seen). However, it works like no other. It does look a bit clunky (in an IBM/Lenovo-utilitarian design sort of way), and the castor wheels make it look like it belongs in an office, but boy does it clean the air.

It’s very quiet except for when you have it set to the highest fan speed. It does amazingly well in an average bedroom (400 sq ft), but the manufacturer claims 5 air changes per hour for room sizes up to 580 sq ft. CADR rating of 375 for smoke, dust, and pollen. I’m told that the max room size you can put an air purifier in – and still have it work properly – is 1.5 x the CADR rating. So, that would technically be a room under 563 sq ft. It’s not far off from the manufacturer’s specs, but its numbers are probably a bit optimistic. There’s a 5-year warranty and the unit is made of steel. This thing is a beast, but it works well. Get it.

Whirlpool AP45030K Whispure Air Purifier

This air purifier should adequately clean a 472 sq ft room. The manufacturer states that it will do well in a 490 sq ft room, but I think those numbers are optimistic (you’re supposed to multiply the CEDR by 1.5, so 1.5 x 315). Other than that, I’d say it’s a solid air purifier.

It’s highly rated by consumer reports and I trust them. As for the HEPA filter, you’re supposed to replace it every 12 months and the pre-filter needs to be changed every 6 months. The price is reasonable, so if you have allergies or just want to improve the quality of your life, I’d recommend the Whispure.

Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-780A Air Purifier

So, this air purifier mounts on the wall, which is different from a lot of the air purifiers I’ve had and seen in the past. I’m used to the ones that are set on a counter or the floor. This is a real space-saver. The manufacturer claims that it covers a room up to 815 sq ft, but that’s probably optimistic. Even at the highest setting, you have to take the CADR number and multiply it by 1.5. If you’re really conservative, divide the manufacturer’s output by 2 and you’ll have a more realistic idea of where you should put this device. That said, this thing is super-quiet and it comes with a 5-year warranty. It also has a 6-stage cleaning system which I’ve never seen on an air purifier before. That puts it ahead of a lot of other manufacturers. Definitely worth the $500+ sticker price.

Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier HEPA AP51030K

If you’ve got asthma, or other breathing problems, get this air purifier. It’s got a real HEPA filter. There is one caveat – the machine does make some noise (which is to be expected). If you’re OK with the machine sounding like background white noise, then it might actually help you sleep (a little white noise sometimes helps me when I need to relax).

This model is a little fancier than Whirlpool’s 450 model. It has some extra features like sleep mode, True HEPA 0.3 micron filtration and an extra fan setting. It also has a CEDR of 315 (clean air delivery rate) so it should be good for a room under 500 sq ft. Any bigger than that, and I would consider buying another unit. All in all, this is an excellent machine for the money, and it doesn’t hurt that it was recommended by Consumer Reports (it was rated best air purifier for home use in 2010).

Winix WAC9500 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier

Unlike a lot of air filters, this one has a removable and washable odor control carbon filter. It also has a HEPA filter, but the odor filter is a nice touch and actually freshens the air. Great if you’re a smoker (or live with one). The Winix Air Purifier Ultimate Pet True HEPA Air Cleaner also has a prefilter that catches all the dog hair (or cat hair, if you’re a cat owner). The coolest feature? It auto-adjusts based on the air quality. Given that electricity isn’t getting any cheaper, that’s a great feature. It’s also good if, like me, you like to keep air filters running throughout the day and not just at night when you’re sleeping.

The company also claims that the Winix Ultimate Pet  air purifiers use something called PlasmaWave technology. It’s supposed to actually break up odor, allergens, and chemical vapors without producing ozone. I don’t know if this is legit or marketing lingo (you know how marketing departments love to hype things), but it seems to clean the air better than just about any other air purifier on the market. It’s not cheap, but then again quality rarely is. So, while it’s not in everyone’s price range, you should get this one if you can afford it.

Fellowes Quiet Air Purifier

One of the things I like about this air purifier is that it neutralizes viruses and germs in the air. It has a 4-stage air purification system. The HEPA filter pretty much makes short work of most indoor air pollution too. OK, those are the “hard facts.” Yes, it does what it says on the box. Now for the stuff the manufacturer doesn’t tell you. The manufacturer says it’s quiet, but wow. Unless you’re right up next to it, you’re never going to hear this thing. It’s good for a small or medium-sized bedroom.

Even with its red and green animated display, the buttons and the display itself are actually pretty intuitive, which is nice if you don’t want to have to run to the instruction book every time you need to turn it on. Changing the filter is pretty simple, and the filters themselves aren’t too expensive (which is always a plus). The Fellowes Quiet Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter AP-300PH just works.

Blueair 203W HepaSilent Air-Purification System

Plus: it cleans the air like it says on the box.

Con: it’s a bit noisy on the “medium” or “high” setting.

With that said, I think this is a good air purifier overall. The first time you use it, you’re going to get the typical HEPA filter “smell” in the room. That goes away though. Wait a day, then take a deep breath. It’s a world of difference. If you’re a heavy sleeper, or have insomnia, the noise that the unit makes might be helpful – it’ll be sort of like white noise.

The filters are pretty cheap for this thing, and unlike some air purifiers, this one doesn’t produce drafts. It’s made of steel, which is good if you’re worried about off-gassing from plastic parts or if you just don’t like the cheapness common with plastic consumer-grade appliances. It’s a bit pricey, but worth every penny if you suffer from allergies.

AirFree P-1000 Air Sterilizer and Purifier

This unit is quiet – as in you won’t hear it. That’s because it’s a true ionic unit. No fans. It uses heated air to kill mold, bacteria, and viruses. The unit heats air to 400 degrees to do its job, but amazingly, it’s not going to blast you out of the room. Integrated is the Exclusive TSS Reserved ozone free Technology that destroys indoor ozone also has an Exclusive Adjustable Anti Stress Blue Light!

Somehow, the boys in the back room figured out how to make this device work without heating up the surrounding air. Plus, there are no filters to buy and nothing to change. You just plug it in and leave it be. The stylish design makes this one of the best air purifier on the market today. It helps a lot with pet allergies, hayfever inside the house and other sorts of non-clean air problems. This is the perfect gift for a person with sensitive lungs and throat.

Winix WAC5500 True HEPA Air Cleaner

It’s not the most expensive unit you could buy, but it does work. The company says it’s suitable for a large bedroom or a family room. I think that’s pretty accurate. The unit is kind of loud on the highest fan setting, but very quiet on the lower two settings. Keep that in mind when buying. If you let it run during the day, it’s probably not a big deal to keep it on high. At night, you could turn it down a bit (the air shouldn’t get that dirty).

It removes odors too, which not all purifiers do well. Oh, it has an auto-mode that will also sense how polluted the air is and then adjust the fan to the right setting for you. There are 3 carbon filters that come with the unit, and there’s one loaded in there when you open the box. There’s also another washable filter. That one can be washed 6 times (every 6 months) before it has to be replaced. The carbon filters only last 3 months and can’t be washed. However, the unit is pretty reasonably priced, and an excellent value if you suffer from allergies.

Breathing is an essential human function. Without clean air, we would soon die. However, the air inside your home is often much more polluted than the air outside. Dust mites, allergens, pet dander and harmful gases often accumulate within poorly ventilated living spaces. An air purifier or an air cleaner is well worth the investment, especially given the health benefits that they give to your family. Air purifiers and air cleaners are also available at a variety of price points, so the chances are good that you will find a product that will give you the features you want at a price you can afford.

Electrolux Oxygen Ultra Air Cleaner, EL500AZ

The Electrolux Oxygen Ultra Air Cleaner, EL500AZ cleans up to 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants and allergens within any 400 square foot space. The sleek, attractive design of the Electrolux Oxygen Ultra Air Cleaner, EL500AZ blends in with nearly any home or office décor. The whisper quiet five speed fan allows you and your family to enjoy spending time together at home, or allows you to concentrate on your work without distraction at the office. The three-stage filtration process includes carbon, true HEPA and trademarked PlasmaWave filters.

The carbon filter reduces odors that can make a room smell less than fresh. The true HEPA filter captures up to 99.97 percent of dust, pet dander and pollen that often contaminates indoor air. The unique PlasmaWave filter generates positively charged and negatively charged ions that bind with airborne water vapor to neutralize bacteria, noxious vapors and gasses present in the air.

T300 Air Purifier with Multi-Stage Filtration

If you want the health benefits of an air cleaning system but you’re short on space, the T300 Air Purifier w/ Multi-Stage Filtration system provides an ideal solution. The compact tower design means that it fits in a corner of your home. Yet it covers an area of up to 500 square feet, cleaning the air of up to 94 percent of contaminants and allergens. The three layers of filter technology include a HEPA-like filter and an activated carbon filter to eliminate odors and harmful substances. The T300 Air Purifier w/ Multi-Stage Filtration system also contains an ionizer to charge airborne particles, clumping them together to make it more likely that they will be trapped by the air purifier. Optional filters work to eliminate heavy odor and smoke from the air. Four speed fan ranges from whisper quiet to no more noisy than a box fan on a medium setting.

MicroLux ML4000D Series Home HEPA Ionic Ozone Generating Air Purifier

The MicroLux ML4000D Series Home HEPA Ionic Ozone Generating Air Purifier has a rich furniture-look cherry wood finish that makes it look great while it works hard to clean the air in your home. The whisper quiet fan is camouflages the effectiveness of the true HEPA filter that eliminates dust, pollen and contaminants from the air. A TiO2 Photo Catalytic Filter removes harmful spores and bacteria before you and your family have a chance to breathe them into your bodies. A dual Point Negative Ion Filtration filter removes smoke, pollutants and bacteria from the air you breathe. The Dual UV Germicidal Purifiers destroys bacteria and viruses that carry diseases such as influenza or the common cold. An Ozone Plate reacts with organic compounds to break them down, thereby eliminating odors. This powerful unit cleans up to 3,000 square feet of air, and the attractive wood-finish cabinet means that you can place the MicroLux ML4000D Series Home HEPA Ionic Ozone Generating Air Purifier anywhere in your home.

Austin Air Jr. HealthMate Air Purifier HM200

The Austin Air Jr. HealthMate Air Purifier HM200 purifies the air in an area up to 700 square feet with an efficient 360-degree air intake system. The four stage filtration system includes a true medical grade HEPA filter, and a carbon/zeolite blend filter to remove allergens, noxious vapors and other harmful substances from the air. The Austin Air Jr. HealthMate Air Purifier HM200 is certified to remove up to 99.97 of airborne particles at least 0.3 microns and 95 percent of airborne particles at least 0.1 microns. The stylish, compact design of the Austin Air Jr. HealthMate Air Purifier HM200 allows you to place it unobtrusively in a corner of a room, where it works quietly to clean the air. Similar is the Austin Air HM-250 model.

Oreck AirInstinct HEPA Large Room Air Purifier

The Oreck AirInstinct HEPA Large Room Air Purifier Air108 features a filtration system matched with an ultra modern design that looks different from any air filter you have seen before. Set the Oreck AirInstinct HEPA Large Room Air Purifier on automatic mode, and it monitors the surroundings to adjust the speed of its mechanism accordingly. The Oreck AirInstinct HEPA Large Room Air Purifier cleans the air in rooms up to 248 square feet and captures up to 99.97 percent of dust, smoke, allergens and other harmful substances up to 0.3 microns.

The Hype around HEPA Why HEPA Air Purifiers Are The Solution To Bad Air

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Why HEPA Air Purifiers Are The Solution To Bad Air

HEPA filters came about during World War II when the Atomic Energy Commission developed them to stop radioactive energy. That has to be a powerful filter, and you can use this same technology in your home to stop the most harmful particles in your air from destroying the quality of your life. Today, HEPA filters are everywhere, and used on many new models of appliances that require filters. Of the appliances that use them, HEPA air purifiers and vacuum cleaners make the best use of this important filter technology.

Why HEPA is Healthier

What’s the big deal, a filter is a filter—right? Wrong. While HEPA gets a lot of hype as an allergy prevention filter, it has many benefits beyond preventing allergy attacks. A HEPA filter will catch the smallest particles that bigger filters will miss. These include some of the most harmful particles in the air around you including bacteria and mold spores.

Additional Support from HEPA Filters

You’ll notice, as you search for air purifiers, or other appliances that use HEPA technology, they are not single filter machines. The HEPA is not meant to work alone. It is such a tight filter, that it would clog too easily if the larger debris in the air were filtered through it. When searching for an air purifier you need to make sure that there is at least one, but usually two additional filters that trap larger particles before the air goes through the HEPA filter.

Easy Care

HEPA style filters are easy to care for. Because they are the last line of defense, and are not responsible for catching the big, heavy particles they don’t get dirty fast and usually last two or more years between changes. However, it is important to note that you want to make sure the HEPA system in the unit is coated with an anti-bacterial agent so that it kills the harmful elements that get caught in it. That way you get rid of the health risks instead of trapping them in the air filter to live.

Sneeze Relief

Of course, the reason these filters are so commonly associated with allergy relief is that they are a powerful resource for anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma related problems. The other filters in your air purifier will usually trap hair and even dander, but a lot of junk can escape the bigger filters. Nothing gets through the HEPA, so even if dander or hair does manage to work free of the initial filters, it will get trapped by the HEPA and your air will be clean.

VOC Control

VOCs are the tiniest particles in your air, but they are also the most destructive. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, and your home has them no matter how hard you work to keep it clean. VOCs are caused by gas emissions, chemicals and even common items like markers and printer ink.

Bacteria are also considered VOCs, and you don’t even have to be “sick” to bring in these nasty particles. They can travel into your home on your clothes and shoes and live in the air for months waiting to strike and make your family sick.

IEST (Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology) sets up the filtration standards for the filtration industry. The best HEPA filter units trap over 99.97% of all particles including VOCs. It is important to pay attention when you buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter that it uses the highest quality filter. Any filter that traps at least 85% of the particles in the air is designated as a HEPA filter, and there are 5 levels of HEPA designations (H10, H11, H12, H13 and H14).

You need to find a purifier that is and H12 or better with H14 being the best you can get. An H12 will trap 99.5% of all particles in the air. An H14 will stop 99.97%, but you will pay more for the highest levels of HEPA filtration, and the replacements will cost more as well.

Whether you buy an H12 air purifier or an H14, they will improve the health of your home, and also help control harmful or just obnoxious odors that are common in homes, so you’ll not only feel better you’ll enjoy your home more.

UVGI Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Ionizer Air Purifier Review

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What is UVGI Air Purifier?

Air purifiers are required to clean indoor air.

The Environmental Protection Agency has said that indoor air has much higher levels of pollutants and irritants as outdoor air—two to five times higher. The agency has also listed indoor air as one of the five largest environmental risks to public health. Clearly, an indoor air purification system is necessary. But with all the options available, how do people choose an air purification system that is right for them? Why not go with the type of system that is used in hospitals and other medical facilities? Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) air purification, when used correctly, results in a whopping 99.9% reduction of microorganisms in the air.

What is Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation?

Put simply, the UVGI air purifier uses ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms. It has been known for years that ultraviolet radiation kills many types of microorganisms. Bacteria, fungi, mold, viruses and other bothersome microorganisms have less UV protection than humans do. Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation, and at short wavelengths, UV radiation destroys bacteria and other pathogens. UV radiation kills microorganisms by destroying their DNA: the radiation breaks the molecular bonds in their DNA, and it also destroys nucleic acids, the “building blocks” of DNA.

Who uses UVGI?

UVGI air purification has been used for years in medical facilities. That fact speaks volumes about how effective this technique is for getting rid of air-borne pathogens. The United States government has also adopted UVGI air purifiers for all government buildings. In addition, Center for Disease Control has supported the use of UVGI air purifiers, and the Air Institute of Respiratory Education advocates the use of UVGI as well. Clean-air advocates say that UVGI should be used everywhere—schools, office buildings and public buildings are major sources of respiratory disease, and the system will benefit private residences as well.

Sick Building Syndrome.

Airborne pathogens are thought to cause a condition known as “Sick Building Syndrome.” According to the EPA, this is when the occupants of a building have health problems that seem to be related somehow to the building, “but no specific disease or cause can be identified.” People who suffer from “Sick Building Syndrome” report relief when they leave the building. Again, many people say that UVGI should be used in ALL buildings. The UVGI air purifier in places of employment will increase the general health and well-being of employees, and it will also decrease absenteeism.

Need to use UVGI correctly.

As the Environmental Protection Agency states, effective killing of airborne microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi requires a much higher UV exposure than is present in the typical residential unit. The solution, according to Calu Tech, is to buy a system with 24,000 or more micro-watts. Also, since stand-alone room purification units only clean the air they “catch,” it might be a good idea to use a unit that is placed in a ventilation duct, thus purifying the air of the entire house.

In order to realize the most reduction in indoor-air contaminates, the Food and Drug Administration and others say that the technique is not a replacement for a regular air-filtration system; UVGI needs to be used in conjunction with an air-filtration system. This is because UVGI air purifier only removes microorganisms from the air, leaving things like pet dander, pollen and chemicals. Also, UVGI air purifier by itself leaves dead mold spores in the air, which can still cause allergic reactions.

With indoor air quality being so terrible just about everywhere, homeowners should take control of the air inside their house. A UVGI air purifier may prevent illness by killing airborne pathogens. Significantly, UVGI systems are used by medical facilities, and now by the U.S. government. They would be a great addition to residences as well. EPA-approved and proven to kill 99.9% of airborne pathogens when used correctly, a UVGI air purification system would be a great investment. Home owners should make sure, however, that they buy a system with sufficient UV exposure. Used in conjunction with a more traditional air filter, UVGI air purifier promises to make the air inside a home as clean and as irritant-free as possible.