Air Purifier Reviews

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.

Germ Guardian Company Info

Germ Guardian is a company located in Ohio that specializes in home sanitation products such as air purifiers for the mass retail market and has been selling such products for an unknown period of time. The company is dedicated to using safe and natural technologies in their products. To date, Germ Guardian manufactures four different kinds of air purifiers. Air purifiers are designed to improve the air quality of a room by killing germs, removing allergens and particles and eliminating odors.

Germ Guardian Air Purifier Technology

Germ Guardian’s air purifiers use naturally occurring ultraviolet light technology (UV-C). According to Germ Guardian, this technology, which is used to sanitize hospital operating theaters and clean rooms, can kill 99.9% of all airborne germs and bacteria including Influenza-A, staphylococcus, streptococcus, tuberculosis and other disease causing particles hanging around in the air. UV-C technology works by producing radiation that alters the DNA of the disease causing bacteria, which causes the bacteria to stop reproducing.

Although air purifiers can cut down on the spread of airborne diseases, they cannot completely prevent illnesses since disease can also be spread through other methods. Since UV-C technology does not utilize chemicals, Germ Guardian states that there should be no ill side effects from using their products. The company also claims that their products do not emit any ozone as a result of this technology.

Germ Guardian air purifiers utilize high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems as well. HEPA filters are composed of mats of randomly arranged fiberglass fibers. Since these fibers are extremely thin with diameters in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 micrometers, they are able to filter out 99.97% of small airborne particles that are 0.3 micrometers in diameter. These particles include allergens like household dust, pet dander, mold spores and plant pollens. Germ Guardian products also use ionizers to eliminate odors resulting from cooking, pets, smoke, mildew and other sources, and to freshen the air in the room.

Germ Gurdian Product Testing, Warranty, and Price Range

Germ Guardian products were tested by the Harvard School of Public Health. The company claims that their air purifiers run very quietly. Depending on which product you buy, Germ Guardian offers limited warranties that are in effect anywhere from one to five years.

The cost of their air purifiers range depending on how large the product is, what technologies it uses and how much air it can sanitize. Many people state that these air purifiers have an extremely good track record and a reputation for having a long service life. The company has successfully launched several national and international products lines.

3M Filtrete Company Info

The Filtrete brand of air purifiers is produced by 3M, a large and well-known U.S.-based multinational conglomerate which has existed for more than a century and makes a wide variety of products, from post-it notes to traffic lights. Filtrete has been in the business of making air filters for about twenty-five years; they also manufacture water purifiers. Probably due in part to the fact that Filtrete is a division of 3M, its products are easily found just about anywhere air cleaners are sold, both through online vendors and in brick and mortar outlets.

Note that none of the 3M Filtrete air purifiers are designed to combat odor or gas. Electrostatic purifiers such as the ones made by Filtrete are strictly for filtering unwanted solid particles out of the air. This is something that consumers may wish to consider, keeping in mind their unique air purification needs.

3M Filtrete Ultra Clean

Filtrete makes two basic kinds of air cleaners. The first is called the “Ultra Clean.” According to the claims made by the company, this model captures 99% of large airborne allergens. Filtrete more vaguely also claims that the Ultra Clean purifier has “high” rates of capturing dust and pollen, and that it also captures other, smaller pollutants, including smoke and smog, but no hard statistics are given regarding these. According to Filtrete, tests have shown that the Ultra Clean purifiers are more effective than HEPA purifiers.

3M Filtrete Ultra Quiet

The second kind of purifier made by Filtrete is called the “Ultra Quiet.” As the name suggests, the major selling point of this cleaner is that it runs quietly. Filtrete claims that it is the “quietest air purifier available” in its size category when run on high speed. Ultra Quiet cleaners are recommended for somewhat smaller rooms than their Ultra Clean counterparts. Otherwise, the company’s claims regarding its effectiveness are the same as those of the other model.

3M Filtrete Air Purifier Pricing

The Ultra Quiet variety tends to cost less on average than the Ultra Clean models. Filtrete is therefore one of the more affordable brands of air cleaner, as well as one of the easier ones to find. Note, however, that this price does not include the cost of replacement filters. 3M makes three different levels of filters for its purifiers, of differing cost and effectiveness. Their “Best” level of filters, according to Filtrete, filter out far more than the “Good” level.

Filtrete has a fairly extensive website, located at http://www.filtrete.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/FiltreteUS/Filtrete/, with more information, including some videos about how their filters work, tips from experts on how to keep the home clean, a newsletter, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions about their products.

3M Filtrete Air Purifier Models

• Filtrete Ultra Clean Air Purifier (Small FAP02): Electrostatic precipator. Intended for use in rooms up to 160 square feet.
• Filtrete Ultra Quiet Air Purifier (FAP01): Electrostatic precipator. Intended for use in rooms up to 110 square feet.
• Filtrete Ultra Quiet Small Bedroom Air Purifier (FAP00): Electrostatic precipator. Intended for use in rooms up to 100 square feet.

The Air-O-Swiss brand of air purifiers and humidifiers is well known throughout both Europe and North America, and Air-O-Swiss manufacturing plants are located in Widnau, Switzerland and Naperville, Illinois.

Air-O-Swiss Company Background

North America sees Air-O-Swiss humidification and purification systems manufactured by the Plaston International Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Plaston Holding AG. Plaston AG is itself headquartered in Widnau, Switzerland and, over the last 50 years, has been responsible for developing and presenting to the public four distinct brands of industrial equipment: the Mr BoxX mobile storage systems, the Plaston series of industrial strength plastic cases and the Boneco and Air-O-Swiss advanced air treatment and purification systems.

Plaston AG’s history of technological innovation can be traced back over 50 years, and it was, in fact, on February 6th 1956 that the company’s founder, Hans Frei, began to manufacturer plastic industrial products and basic air purification systems in the garage of his family home. Frei’s small business quickly flourished in both Switzerland and Europe, and it was in 2001 that Plaston entered the international market and established the Plaston International Corporation in North America.

Design Recognition

Plaston and Air-O-Swiss are known for their highly innovative designs and, in fact, won the coveted Red Dot award for design excellence in 2008 for their AOS E2441 Evaporator. Air-O-Swiss air treatment systems are divided into their digital ultrasonic humidifiers, their air washers – which are both humidifiers and purifiers – their award-winning evaporators and their HEPA certified air cleaners. Apart from their four established product lines, Air-O-Swiss also offers customers refurbished models, spare parts as well as a large range of accessories that includes such things as maintenance-cum-storage kits, demineralization cartridges, evaporator wicks and refill granule packs.

Company Claims

Air-O-Swiss claims that their air purification and humidification systems have “exclusive functional design” and that they have “set new market standards” with their line of digital ultrasonic humidifiers. Air-O-Swiss also claims to be extremely environmentally friendly and cites their “eco-friendly” EZCal Humidifier Cleaner and Descaler as a prime example of their green technology. They also state that they are the only company that manufactures digitally-controlled air washers and that their products – especially those equipped with their patented Ionic Silver Stick – are made to extremely high standards of safety.

Plaston – and also Air-O-Swiss – also claim that they conduct business in terms of three simple concepts: close customer relationships, quality and innovation.

Air O Swiss Air Purifier Technology

The Air-O-Swiss air purifiers and humidifiers that are currently available – and can be found both online and in stores – include the following:

• Ultrasonic Humidifiers, which feature the Ionic Silver Stick microbial protection system, the digitally-based Intelligent Temperature Compensation system and replaceable demineralization cartridges
• Air Washers: these are self-regulating humidifiers-cum-purifiers that feature an innovative pre-ionization system and constantly moving humidifier discs as well as the Ionic Silver Stick protection system
• The innovative Evaporator is the first ever top-filled humidifier and features a unique air-flow guidance system and a water-saturated evaporator wick
• The Air Cleaners, which utilize a combination of HEPA-certified filters and active carbon filters and feature self-regulating humidification that both absorbs odors and filters particles.

Some air purifier manufacturers have had a history of making dubious health claims, promising far more than what their products actually accomplish. The result has been a misinformed and often disillusioned air purification audience. On the other hand, some manufacturers make claims consistent with what their products can do.

So do air purifiers really help with virus control, asthma symptoms, seasonal allergies, and other health issues? We present the findings of expert sources like the Environmental Protection Agency, Mayo Clinic, and New England Journal of Medicine.

Air Purifiers & Health – Guides & FAQs

• 3 Essential Strategies for Improving Indoor Air
• Do Air Purifiers Help with Allergies?
• Do Air Purifiers Help with Asthma?
• Do Air Purifiers Help with COPD and Emphysema?
• Do Air Purifiers Really Remove Viruses?
• The Top Ten Sources of Indoor Air Pollution in the Home
• What Causes Bad Indoor Air Quality?
• Why Indoor Air is More Polluted Than Outdoor Air
• Why You Shouldn’t Buy Ozone-Generating Air Purifiers

The Shaklee Airsource 3000 Air Purifier, once popular for its effectiveness in purifying indoor air, is no longer in production.
I recommend considering the LEVOIT Air Purifier Air Purifier as a worthy replacement.
It has gained a reputation for exceptional performance and advanced features.
In summary, the LEVOIT Air Purifier is an excellent choice to replace the discontinued Airsource 3000 Air Purifier.

Shaklee Company Info

Shaklee is a network marketing organization based in Pleasanton, California that was originally formed in 1956 as a nutrition and wellness company. Their primary product line still includes a variety of vitamins, diet products, cleaning products and personal products, all available through individual Shaklee distributors. Looking to broaden their reach, they eventually chose to throw their hat into the ring of the air and water purifying business. The AirSource 3000 air purifier is Shaklee’s air purification solution.

AirSource Purification Technology

The air cleaning technology of the AirSource is two-fold. Being filterless, it uses a UV lamp and oxidation to clean odors, gases and various microorganisms from the air.

The AirSource 3000 is sometimes recommended to patients with symptoms of asthma and various allergies in order to make them more comfortable in the home. Neither Shaklee nor its distributors claim to be able to officially treat asthma or any related health condition with the AirSource 3000, as there are often a series of complex issues involved with these types of health problems.

Warranty and AirSource Purifier Filter Replacement

Each Air Source unit holds a warranty that covers material and workmanship defects for three years following the date of purchase. The Photohydroionization module responsible for the Air Source ionization process is recommended to be replaced yearly and carries a one-year warranty only.

Air Source (Shaklee) Air Purifier Models

• Air Source 3000 – The Air Source 3000 is Shaklee’s larger room solution. It’s ideal to clean the air in rooms over 500 sq ft. The RGF Environmental Group out of West Palm Beach, Florida, a well-respected name in the air and water purification industry, were consulted on the design of this model. It features a quiet fan, modern-looking black design and carries high consumer ratings for its low operating cost and easy maintenance.

• Air Source Mobile – This unit is Shaklee’s contribution towards clean air on-the-go. It weighs about a pound and is 8”x 3.5” in diameter. It uses the same technology as its bigger brother, the Air Source, but it‘s designed to clean much smaller spaces of up to 300 ft. The Air Source Mobile air purifier features a small, plastic, cylinder-shaped unit that’s ideal for transportable cleaning in the car, hotel room, RV or small office. Yearly operating costs for this model are estimated at about $63 per year.

Note – AirSource purifiers are no longer offered on the Shaklee website.  Air Purifier Guide does not recommend you purchase air purifiers that are no longer offered by the manufacturer.

Shaklee air purifier review: Summaries and Detailed Reviews.

Reviews are only as good as the underlying rating criteria used

After you are done reviewing, STEP 5 Buying lists the best places to buy Shaklee purifiers.

Shaklee Air Purifier Summaries

Model: AirSource 3000 – Very Good Rating

Over 500 sqft

MSRP 699

Conclusion: An option for larger room or whole home air cleaning.

Detailed Review Below

Model: AirSource Mobile – Very Good Rating

Up to 300 sqft

MSRP 229

Conclusion: A good portable for home, auto, and hotel.

Detailed Review Below

Shaklee Air Purifier Detailed Reviews

Model: AirSource 3000

Rating Score: 69/100 points

Summary

This is not the best form of ionization; read ionization page information here (opens a new window). RGF was involved in the design of this purifier. RGF is a big player in the commercial air and water purification industry. A Good Value.

Rating Factors:

1) Value: 16/24 points – The MSRP is 699. The estimated square footage cleaned is 1000 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((699 initial + 84.52/year)/1000 sqft)/7 removal points)) = 88.81. 88.81 = 16 points – Good Value.

2) What is Removed: 7/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors and Gases – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of VOCs – Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Poor Removal, 0-points.

3) Yearly Operating Costs: 12/15 points – Replacing the Photohydroionization Module every year will cost 69.00. Calculating electricity usage: 20 watts/1000 x .0886/kwh x 24 hours/day x 365 days/year = 15.52/year. Total cost 84.52/year. Inexpensive to operate.

4) Quality: 8/12 points – This purifier was designed with RGF Environmental Group. They design decent products. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship – Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies – Very Good Quality, 4-points. Support Material – Good Quality, 1-point.

5) Warranty: 4/8 points – This purifier carries a limited 3-year warranty; Photohydroionization Module has a 1-year warranty. Good Warranty.

6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points – The only maintenance is changing the Photohydroionization Module each year. This is a quick change item and takes less than 10 minutes to change after cool. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. Cleaning is also easy as the purifier may need a quick dust or damp rag wipe from time to time to remove and dust or particles on the outside housing. Easy Cleaning 3-points.

7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points – The AirSource 3000 is modern looking. Black is the only color option. Looks Good, 2-points. The purifier has an on off switch. Weighs 7 lbs and measures 16″ H X 9″ Diameter. Feels Good, 2-points.

8) Years in Business: 5/5 points – Shaklee has been in the health and nutrition business for over 50 years. They are located in Pleasanton, CA.

9) Noise Level: 4/5 points – This unit has a very small fan, so it is quiet. Quiet Noise Level.

10) Set-Up: 3/3 points – Easy Set-up.

total = 69/100 points

Conclusion: An option for larger room or whole home air cleaning. Return to Top Model: AirSource Mobile Last Reviewed: 03-13-2008 Rating Score: 66/100 points

Summary: The Shaklee AirSource Mobile utilizes one type of active purification technology. The result is a cleaning that actively emits from the purifier into the room or automobile to reduce odors, gases, VOCs, and microorganisms. Some ozone as well as other oxidizers are emitted, but are well within safe standards if used properly. This unit is small enough for travel and portable use and does have adapters available for both a wall outlet and an auto outlet. RGF was involved in the design of this Shaklee air purifier. RGF is a big player in the commercial air and water purification industry. A Good Value.

Rating Factors:

1) Value: 16/24 points – The MSRP is 229. The estimated square footage cleaned is 300 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((229 initial + 62.88/year)/300 sqft)/5 removal points)) = 80.54. 80.54 = 16 points – Good Value.

2) What is Removed: 5/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Poor Removal, 0-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Poor Removal, 0-points. Removal of Odors and Gases – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of VOCs – Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Poor Removal, 0-points.

3) Yearly Operating Costs: 12/15 points – Relacing the Photohydroionization Module every year will cost 59.00. Calculating electricity usage: 5 watts/1000 x .0886/kwh x 24 hours/day x 365 days/year = 3.88/year. Total cost 62.88/year. Inexpensive to operate.

4) Quality: 7/12 points – This purifier was designed with RGF Environmental Group. They design decent products. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship – Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies – Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material – Good Quality, 1-point.

5) Warranty: 4/8 points – This purifier carries a limited 3-year warranty; Photohydroionization Module has a 1-year warranty. Good Warranty.

6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points – The only maintenance is changing the Photohydroionization Module each year. This is a quick change item and takes less than 10 minutes to change after cool. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. Cleaning is also easy as the purifier may need a quick dust or damp rag wipe from time to time to remove and dust or particles on the outside housing. Easy Cleaning 3-points.

7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points – A small cylindrical plastic looking unit. Black with gray middle is the only color option. Looks Good, 2-points. The purifier has an on off switch. Weighs 1 lbs and measures 8″ H X 3.5″ Diameter. Feels Good, 2-points.

8) Years in Business: 5/5 points – Shaklee has been in the health and nutrition business for over 50 years. They are located in Pleasanton, CA.

9) Noise Level: 4/5 points – This unit has a very small fan, so it is quiet. Quiet Noise Level.

10) Set-Up: 3/3 points – Easy Set-up.

total = 66/100 points

Conclusion

: A good portable for home, auto, and hotel.Return to Top

Return to STEP 3 Reviews I-Z from Shaklee Air Purifier

Company Info

Aireox air purifiers are produced by Aireox Research Corp. Aireox, a company based in the city of Riverside, California, has been in the business of making air cleaners for a fairly long time, dating back to the early 1970s. They claim, “We did not invent air purification… we revolutionized it.”

Aireox Air Purifier Models Currently Available

Aireox produces only two kinds of air cleaners. One is intended for use in the home. The other, smaller model is designed specifically to be used in automobiles, which can easily become quite polluted. For replacement filters the company recommends that customers change the filter every six months to maintain the cleaner in proper working condition, and at the minimum replace the filter no less frequently than once a year. The other model of air cleaner made by Aireox, designed to work in cars and trucks.

Technology Claims

Aireox claims that its purifiers target not only particles, but also the unhealthy gasses that contribute to indoor air pollution. They call their offerings “user-friendly” and say that they run “whisper quiet.” This last point is something Aireox emphasizes; the company’s website makes the claim that their purifiers are quiet enough to be used comfortably in the bedroom while you sleep.

Aireox also states that they have worked with individuals who have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) and other breathing difficulties for decades and that the air cleaners they produce are “specially designed for chemically sensitive people.” Their products, Aireox maintains, are constructed in a way that ensures no production of out-gas to disturb those who are sensitive to such material. Also, the company says that their sealed motors have twice the life expectancy of non-sealed motors.

In addition, Aireox makes the claim that their air cleaners are

“the most popular on the market today for people serious about the risks that air pollution presents to their family’s health,”

as well as the air purifiers

“most often recommended by Allergists and Physicians for prevention and/or relief of pollution related problems.”

Aireox’s website, located at http://www.aireox.com/, is fairly small and simple, though it does contain some more information about the products made by Aireox, including a list of specifications and features of their two purifiers. The site also includes some information about the intentions behind the design of Aireox’s purifiers and the materials used in their construction, such as the purafil/carbon mixture used in their filters. There is a short list of Frequently Asked Questions, as well.

Airfree Company info

Airfree is a fairly small air purifier company based in Europe. Detailed information on the company is hard to come by, but they are relative newcomers to the air purification industry. Airfree’s purifiers use a unique process to clean the air. Its purifiers are also fairly stylish looking and conveniently small, as well as quiet; the company claims to have won awards for design, though they do not specify what those awards were.

Airfree Purification Technology

Airfree air purifiers work in a very different way from most commonly used home cleaners. They do not use filters, ionizers, or any of the typical air-cleaning methods. Instead, according to Airfree, its purifiers work by using a unique process called the Thermodynamic Sterilizing System, or TSS. “Heated capillaries” in the units are used to incinerate microorganisms that pollute the air.

The company explains the process:

“Contaminated air is dragged into Airfree’s ceramic core by air convection and microorganisms are destroyed at high temperatures regardless of how resistant and dangerous they might be.”

The temperature in these units reaches up to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The organic particles that pass through the capillaries at such high levels of heat are denatured, or fundamentally changed, and as a result are, according to Airfree, rendered harmless. The harmless particles are released back into the air. Airfree claims that its products destroy 99.9% of all organic particles that pass through them. This process is in some ways analogous to the ultraviolet lights used in some other air purifiers to kill harmful organism, but Airfree’s system means that there is no need to periodically change a light.

Airfree Technology Targets Organic Pollution

It is very important for potential customers to understand, therefore, that all of Airfree’s air cleaners have a limited application: they only target organic pollution, such as mold, fungus, viruses, and bacteria. Whether this is acceptable or not will depend upon each buyer’s own unique situation. Airfree’s website at http://www.airfree.com includes, among other things, a long list of tests conducted by various agencies backing up the company’s claims that their products reduce organic pollution.

Airfree Models

Airfree currently offers three different models of air cleaners, detailed below, which differ mainly in strength and appearance. Prices range from the low to mid-$200s. An added advantage is that there are no lights or filters to replace, ever, meaning that users will not need to worry about the cost of replacements in addition to the initial price. Thus the true cost of an Airfree is far less than that of a standard air purifier of the same price (but remember the tradeoff: it also does not reduce some pollutants that those other purifiers do). Airfree also claims that all its offerings use about the same, or less electricity, than a 50-watt light bulb.

Note that, despite the high levels of heat used by Airfree products, reviews have stated that they do not cause the room to heat up, and the design of the purifiers prevent them from becoming a hazard.

Company Info

Airgle (the “gle” in the company’s name stands for “great levels of efficiency”) is an Asian company with offices in the United States and elsewhere that was founded in 1999. The company claims that “what sets Airgle apart from others is our firm commitment to the research and development of new and innovative clean air technologies for the home and office.”

Airgle 750 Model & Technology

Consumers should know there is only one type of Airgle air purifier, the Airgle 750. This purifier demonstrates that Airgle really does mean what it says about technology and innovation. The Airgle 750 makes use of a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to remove particles from the air and an activated carbon filter to remove gasses, such as dangerous Volatile Organic Compounds, as well as unwanted odors. These are two of the most common methods of air filtration.

12 Total Filters Including 2 Washable

One thing that distinguishes Airgle from its competitors, however is that the purifier it manufactures, actually contains a whopping twelve filters, including “4 permanent and washable Pre-filters, 4 HEPA filters, 2 Activated carbon filters, 2 washable high airflow filters.” Though this might sound amazing, it’s doubtful whether so complicated a system is necessary; it does not, however, detract from the product’s effectiveness. Airgle claims that, in tests carried out by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, its product’s Clean Air Delivery Rate came in first place out of 159 different purifiers.

Airgle 750 Is Not Cheap

The Airgle 750 is large, heavy, and fairly expensive, not including annual replacements for the HEPA and activated carbon filters. The upside, on the other hand, is that it is very powerful and is effective even in large rooms. Indeed, this product was clearly intended for use in large areas only; anything else would be a waste. Therefore, those who are looking for small, portable purifiers will probably find the Airgle 750 to be overkill, and more economical brands are available for their purposes. However, for people who live in large homes with spacious rooms, Airgle is an option they might want to seriously consider.

Numerous Features

The Airgle also comes with a number of bells and whistles, the utility of which vary. There is a timer that lasts for up to eight hours, and a remote control. It also has a light sensor, so that users can program it to turn down the fan speed when no one is in the room, or if the purifier is located in the bedroom, when it is time to go to sleep. The fan runs quietly on lower speeds, which are still powerful enough that users can generally forgo the highest setting under normal circumstances.

There is also an optional “aromatherapy” feature that adds scent to the room while the purifier is operating, though this seems like a superfluous and gimmicky add-on to an otherwise good product; if used, the fragrance cartridge needs to be replaced once a year.

Although a competitive market, Airpura Industries Inc. is making a name for themselves by offering consumers a wide range of air purifiers. Located in Quebec, Canada, many web dealers have started selling Airpura air purifiers because of their efficient cleaning techniques, as well as a diverse selection of products that service everything from small home offices to large medical centers. With simplified installation and air purification technology, Airpura is a company that continues to expand, especially with a greater presence on the Internet. It is unknown exactly how long the company has been making air cleaners, but their growth has been slow and steady in a competitive field.

Airpura Approach to Air Purification

While Airpura offers a wide selection of products, they all share many of the same features in order to deliver the same the power throughout homes, offices and medical centers. Unobstructed air flow that operates quietly is one element, as well as powered speed motors that can be changed to a variety of speed settings. In addition, all of the air that passes through an Airpura air purifier is filtered and achieves 99.97 percent efficiency in regards to the HEPA filter. Airpura air cleaners are perfect for those with allergies and asthma, as well as in areas where mold, micro-organisms and industrial chemicals are prevalent.

Airpura Warranty Information

As Airpura continues to maintain their status in the marketplace, they offer a 5 year warranty on parts and a 10 year warranty for labor in defects and workmanship. This is reassuring to consumers, as Airpura air cleaners are certainly an investment.

Pricing and Coverage

When buying an air cleaner for the home, Airpura products are also well-received because they offer coverage for up to 2000 square feet of space, saving on the costs of having to buy two separate air cleaners.

Airpura air purification systems come in black, white and cream colors and do require proper maintenance in order to run properly, such as by replacing the filters and bulbs in the UV lamps. The filters and parts that need to be changed out vary across products, but in general, HEPA and carbon filters are the most common.

Alen Company Info

Alen air purifiers are manufactured by the Austin, Texas-based Alen Corp., a relative newcomer in the field of air cleaners that has been in operation since the year 2005. According to Alen, the company’s focus is on “quality, affordability, and sustainability”; it also prides itself on the quality of its customer service, as well as the lifetime warranty it offers on all its air cleaners.

In support of its claims to good customer service, Alen Corp. has a fairly well-done website at http://www.alencorp.com/, with information about the company’s various products and how they work, as well as a comprehensive support section. They are also present on Facebook and Twitter.

Air Purifier Technology

Alen states that all of its purifiers are free of lead and ozone. All of Alen’s products use a mix of technologies, which vary from model to model. For particles, these technologies include a special kind of HEPA filter, ultraviolet light, and ionizers. The HEPA filters used by Alen are coated with Silver Ion to kill microbes. Alen claims that this filter eliminates “up to 99% of bacteria, up to 50% of viruses that cause influenza, and 99% of airborne allergens.”

The HEPA filter also works against substances such as dust and pet dander. Exposure to ultraviolet light hurts bacteria by damaging their DNA. The ionizing mechanism creates negatively charged particles than Alen says help fight pollen and dust, which are often positively charged. Note that not all of Alen’s air cleaners use all three of these methods.

Odor and Gas Filtration

Also, some of Alen’s offerings are designed to target odors and gasses. These models mostly use a carbon filter, but one, the A375UV Multi Gas, employs a different tool, known as photo-catalytic oxidation. Photo-catalytic oxidation is a complex process that, according to Alen, breaks up dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and renders them harmless. Results of tests performed by the company and published on its website claim that the A375UV resulted in about a 75% reduction in VOCs over the course of six hours. Again, though, note that only one model uses this process, and that some of Alen’s purifiers do not claim to reduce gaseous pollutants at all.

Alen Air Purifiers – Cost and Availability

Alen purifiers are available from a variety of locations, both online and at brick and mortar stores. Vendors can be found on the company’s website. You can also place an online order directly from the company. There are several purifiers covering the range between these two prices. It is possible that Alen cleaners might be found cheaper elsewhere under certain conditions, though ordering directly from Alen also means free shipping.

There are also diverse options for replacement filters. For the products that include ultraviolet lights, replacement bulbs need to be purchased every one to five years as well (depending on the model used).

AllerAir Company Info

AllerAir is a company that specializes in manufacturing air purifiers. It was established in 1996 by Sam Teitelbaum and Wayne Martin. AllerAir’s goal is to provide the public with safe and effective air purifiers that provide the cleanest indoor air possible. To this end, AllerAir has developed over 100 different air purifier models, making AllerAir the manufacturer of the most extensive line of air purifiers available in North America.

AllerAir Models & Technology

Depending on the size and type of air purifier you are looking to buy (i.e. residential, business, commercial or industrial), AllerAir purifiers are available for purchase starting at $300 and going up all the way to $5,500 or more. Since there are so many different kinds of indoor air pollution, AllerAir offers purifiers for all different kinds of situations, locations and uses.

There are purifiers for general purpose use, sufferers of allergy & asthma, odor & chemical control, sufferers of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, mold, traveling, home use, tobacco smoke, volcanic smog, hair & nail salons, and commercial & industrial uses. Regular air purifiers only remove common particles such as dust, pet dander and bacteria, but AllerAir purifiers also remove dangerous airborne chermicals and gases.

Carbon Technology For Chemical, Gas, and Odor Absorption

AllerAir claims that what makes its air purifiers different is that their carbon beds are deeper than any other air purifiers. AllerAir carbon beds use granular pieces of carbon, not crushed carbon. The carbon beds are customizable – a client can order anywhere between four pounds and 120 pounds of carbon to result in better absorption of chemicals, gasses and odors. AllerAir states that their carbon beds have a longer lifespan and greater absorption capacity than those of competing brands.

AllerAir houses their units in metal rather than plastic, and use powder-coated paint to prevent off gassing. To increase filtration and extend the performance of the HEPA filter, AllerAir carbon filters are lined with two additional pre-filters. Since the carbon canisters can be refilled, AllerAir air purifiers are very environmentally friendly and cost effective.