Top Air Purifier Reviews

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Oransi Air Purifiers Guide

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Oransi Company info

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

Oransi Air Purifier Technology

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

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

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

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

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

Oreck Air Purifiers Guide

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Oreck Company Info

The choice of “Healthier, Easier, Smarter” as the Oreck company motto is just one of things that point towards the fact that Oreck brand-originator David Oreck appeals to the consumer’s sense of self-entitlement when trying to market his products.

The company that is now known as The Oreck Corporation opened its doors during 1963 when David Oreck – with the help of his family – began to bring to life his vision for the manufacture and sale of premium vacuum cleaners, air purifiers and related household implements. At the time of writing, The Oreck Corporation had been in business for almost 50 years, and, apart from its manufacturing plant, which is situated in Cookeville, TN, and its country-wide franchised offices, it also boasts premises in Canada and England, where it does business as Oreck Canada and Oreck Holdings LLC respectively.

Oreck air purifiers, vacuum cleaners and furnaces are available throughout North America, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe, and the company’s clients – which primarily consist of international hotel franchises – can buy them either in stores or online. Oreck supplements the sales of their main lines, which they market as their “floor care products” and their “air care products”, with that of related items, including their “home goods” like their location-specific refrigerator air purifier as well as their cleaning products, which have been developed to sanitize, among other locations, the kitchen and bathroom, pet places, hard floors and upholstery.

Oreck also offers consumers a full range of supplies and accessories, including the air filters, scent cartridges, odor absorbers and mounting kits that are specific to their air purifiers. Oreck does not market their air purifiers under any brand name other than their own as, no doubt, they wish to foster international recognition of their distinctively named Oreck brand.

Consumer Reaction to Oreck Air Purifiers

A study of public opinion regarding the Oreck brand of air purifiers may, however, reveal that The Oreck Corporation’s air purifier lines are, perhaps, not as competitive in today’s market as Oreck management may wish. On the one hand, Oreck infomercials are well known for inducing consumers to order their products – which all boast numerous extremely positive buyer testimonials – but, on the other hand, these same consumers have a tendency to later report that the Oreck air purifiers sometimes need frequent cleaning and, perhaps, do not completely purify the air.

Price Range

Apart from the compact refrigerator air purifier, Oreck offers its customers three different air purifier models: the ProShield purifier, the ProShield Plus purifier and the Tower purifier.

Oreck Air Purifier Technology

The Oreck Corporation’s website is, unfortunately, not extremely forthcoming about the technical specifications of their air purifiers. Oreck does, however, claim that its patented Truman Cell (TM) filter technology is superior to HEPA-certified filters as the Truman Cell allegedly “never needs to be replaced”.

Oreck Air Purifier Models

The Oreck air purifiers customers can presently choose from comprise:

  • ProShield: this boasts Truman Cell technology, which electronically charges harmful air particles preparatory to their being “pulled out of the air”;
  • ProShield Plus: this features both the Truman Cell filter and the Helios Shield permanent odor absorber;
  • Tower: Truman Cell technology is, again, this unit’s main claim to fame.

It should be noted that Oreck’s website describes all units in somewhat general terms – like being “energy efficient” and utilizing “Quiet Silence Technology” – but that these terms are, on the whole, not elaborated on.

Haier Air Purifiers Guide

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Haier Company Info

Haier is an international supplier of household appliances headquartered in the people’s Republic of China and is currently considered the world’s largest white goods manufacturer. Founded in 1920 as a refrigerator factory, it was turned into a state-owned enterprise in the 1950s, which was foundering until the 1980s when a German company, the Liebherr Group, stepped in and diversified the Haier brand. Haier has since become the most recognized Chinese name brand and has extended their market from household appliances to mobile phones and computers and established worldwide distribution.

Air Purification Products and Warranty Info

Haier makes three models of air purifiers, all of which are Association of Home Manufacturers (AHAM) certified and the two larger models are ETL/CELT certified. All three models contain TrueHEPA filters that can remove 99.97% of the particles down to 0.3 microns. Each model has the same basic filtration setup that combines the pre-filter with the carbon filter to help remove odors and trap large particles, lint and hair as well as the main HEPA filter.

Each size Haier air purification unit has a 3-speed fan, all with quiet operation motors, and plastic grills that feature a 45° angle for the air outlet. The fan should be lowered to a Level 1 before turning off./p>

Haier offers a replacement filter pack that contains 2 carbon pre-filters and 1 TrueHEPA filter that can service the unit for 1 year and cost about $20 per pack. The two larger units come with a 1 year warranty for parts and labor and all three have a 5 year warranty for the sealed system.

Panasonic Air Purifiers Guide

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Panasonic Company info

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

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

Air Purifiers Sold Under a Few Different Names

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

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

Price Range

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

Panasonic Air Purifier Technology

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

Hamilton Beach Air Purifiers Guide

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Hamilton Beach Company Info

Hamilton Beach is a Virginia-based corporation that manufactures a wide variety of home appliances, such as blenders, drink mixers, toasters, and irons, as well seven different models of air purifiers, most of which include the term “True Air” in their names. Hamilton Beach also produces devices intended to reduce allergens or odors, though these are different from air purifiers and are not covered here. The company is a major player in its field and has been in business since 1910.

Hamilton Beach Air Purifier Technology

All of the different models offered by Hamilton Beach make use of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which target particles that pollute the air, but do not address polluting gasses or contribute to odor reduction. Certain other Hamilton Beach models, however, also use other methods in addition to HEPA, including: carbon pre-filters, which reduce odors; ultraviolet lights, which are damaging to airborne bacteria that can cause diseases; ionizers, which negatively charge air particles to attract and entrap positively charged pollutants; and zeolite, which Hamilton Beach markets as specifically intended to reduce pet odors. Zeolite is a mineral commonly found in laundry detergents, water purifiers, and cat litter. For details about which models use which methods, see below.

Price Range of Available Air Purifiers

Hamilton Beach’s air cleaners are mostly quite affordable when compared to the average prices of other cleaners.

Some of Hamilton Beach’s air cleaners are notable for their auto-adjusting fans which change speed on their own in response to how polluted the environment is. Some customers, however, have complained about the noise made by the fans.

Hamilton Beach Air Purifier Models

  • Air Décor Air Purifier: HEPA filter. Coverage area of 240 square feet.
  • True Air Ecoclean Air Purifier (04492): HEPA filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 190 square feet.
  • True Air Ecoclean Air Purifier (04493): HEPA filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 190 square feet. (Much lower price than the similarly named 04492 model above, but Hamilton Beach’s description of its effectiveness is notably more vague for this model as well.)
  • TrueAir Compact Pet Air Purifier: HEPA filter. Zeolite technology targets pet odor. Coverage area of 140 square feet.
  • True Air High Efficiency Air Purifier: HEPA Filter. Coverage area of 180 square feet.
  • Air Purifier with HEPA Technology: HEPA filter. Coverage area of 230 square feet.
  • TrueAir Ultra UV Air Purifier: HEPA filter. Ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. Carbon pre-filter. Coverage area of 200 square feet. Also includes a display panel with information about the room’s current air quality.

Pure Air Air Purifiers Guide

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Pure Air Systems Company Info

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

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

Pure Air Systems Air Purifier Technology

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

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

Holmes Air Purifiers Guide

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Holmes Company Info

Holmes has been in the air purifier business since 1982. The Holmes brand is a subsidiary of the Jarden Corporation, which owns other brands such as Sunbeam, Mr. Coffee, and Crock-Pot. Jarden also owns another air purification company, Bionaire.

Holmes Air Purifier Technology

The many air cleaners designed by Holmes primarily use either HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) or HEPA-type filters, though many models also include ionizers that may be turned on or off separately from the filter. Despite the term “HEPA-type,” there is clearly a major difference between true HEPA filters and others. HEPA filters, including those used by Holmes, are much more effective. Holmes claims that its HEPA filters will remove 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns; whereas the HEPA-type filters will eliminate 99% of all particles larger than 2.0 microns.

A careless customer might only look at the percentages and suppose that they are about the same, but the distinction between 0.3 microns and 2.0 microns is considerable when dealing with indoor air pollution. Many common pollutants fall somewhere in between those two sizes, which means that a HEPA filter will eliminate them, but a HEPA-type filter will likely not.

Also, note that HEPA filters, HEPA-type filters, and ionizers will not effectively deal with gaseous pollutants, only solid particles.

Price Range of Air Purifier Models

Holmes’s air purifiers are easy to find and are some of the most affordable on the market. In addition, though, filters need replacing every six to twelve months, adding to the overall cost. One Holmes model, though, does have a permanent filter that does not need to be replaced.

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Holmes Air Purifier Models

  • Allergen Remover for Medium to Large Rooms (HAP726-U): HEPA filter enhanced with baking soda for odor control. Coverage area of 256 square feet.
  • Allergen Remover for Large Rooms (HAP756-U): HEPA filter enhanced with baking soda. Coverage area of 418 square feet.
  • Allergen Remover Tower Air (HAP716-U): HEPA filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 150 square feet.
  • Allergen Remover Tower Air (HAP8615-U): HEPA filter enhanced with baking soda. Coverage area of 116 square feet.
  • Allergen Remover Mini-Tower (HAP706-U): HEPA filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 80 square feet.
  • HEPA-type Desktop Air Purifier (HAP2400B-U): HEPA-type filter enhanced with baking soda. Coverage area of 110 square feet.
  • HEPA-type Tower Air Purifier (HAP424-U): HEPA-type filter enhanced with baking soda, ionizer. Coverage area of 180 square feet.
  • HEPA-type Mini Tower Air Purifier (HAP412W-TU): HEPA-type filter enhanced with baking soda, ionizer. Coverage area of 120 square feet.
  • HEPA-type Desktop Air Purifier (HAP242-TU1): HEPA-type filter enhanced with baking soda, ionizer. Coverage area of 109 square feet.
  • Desktop Air Purifier (HAP9240-U): HEPA-type filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 101 square feet.
  • Medium Room Air Purifier, White (HAP9424W-U): HEPA-type filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 165 square feet.
  • Medium Room Air Purifier, Black (HAP9424B-U): HEPA-type filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 165 square feet.
  • LifeLong HEPA-Type Tower Air Cleaner (HAP1200-U): Permanent HEPA-type filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 169 square feet.
  • HEPA-type Mini Tower Air Purifier (HAP412W-U): HEPA-type filter enhanced with baking soda, ionizer. Coverage area of 120 square feet.
  • Odor Grabber with HEPA-type Filter (HAP223-UC2): HEPA-type filter, carbon filter, ionizer. Coverage area of 70 square feet.
  • Personal Space Ionizing Air Purifier (HAP115Z-U): “Multi-stage filter,” ionizer. No coverage area given, but recommended for small rooms.
  • Pet Products Odor Purifier (AOR1000FC-U): Filter with “odor grabbing crystals.” No coverage area given, but recommended for medium-sized rooms.

Rexair Air Purifiers Guide

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Rexair Company Info

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

Sales and Testing For the Rainbow System

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

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

Trademarks and Brands

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

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

Where To Find the Rainbow Products

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

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

Honeywell Air Purifiers Guide

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Honeywell Company Info

Honeywell’s roots go back to 1885, and corporate headquarters is located in Morristown, New Jersey since merging with Allied Chemical Corp. in 1958. Honeywell’s line of air cleaners includes whole-house filtration units, freestanding room conditioners, tabletop units and UV treatment systems.  Many of Honeywell’s air cleaners are actually manufactured by Kaz Corporation.

Whole House Air Cleaners

Honeywell recommends professional installation for whole-house units because some sheet metal work may be required. Whole-house units are installed in the return air duct of an HVAC system — whether run by oil, gas or electricity — and do not require electrical connections. Many Honeywell products offer “lifetime” HEPA filters that can be vacuumed about twice a year but still need to be replaced periodically, since the term “lifetime” is a brand name, not a guarantee and they will lose effectiveness over time.

Honeywell Portable Air Purifiers

Honeywell offers a wide variety of portable air purifiers, typically at the lower price range in the industry.  Information on various models and technology used is listed below.

Honeywell Air Purifier Models

Table Top Models

  • Honeywell 16200 HEPA-Type Air Purifier – recommended for small rooms up to 80 square feet , captures up to 95% of the airborne particulates and retails for $59.99. The unit includes Odor-Lock™ Filter Technology and a Protec™ antimicrobial treatment to remove household odors and prevent the growth of mold of bacteria on the filters. It has a 3-speed fan and an electronic filter indicator that signals when it is time to replace the filter, has a three year warranty and draws 44 watts of power.
  • Honeywell 17000 Air Cleaner series retails for $78.00 to $155 and the newer models feature two “lifetime” HEPA filters and a pre-filter that should be replaced regularly at a cost $19.95. This unit is highly rated by consumers and has a 3-speed fan and a CADR of 130 that is enhanced by the bolt lock system which effectively seals the air import casing so all captured air is purified. Unit is housed in a 14″ round case that fits on the table top, and the unit is considered quite loud when operating.

Single Room Models

  • Honeywell 18155 air purifier retails for $125.99 to $169.95 and comes with a 5 year limited warranty, much longer than most products in this price range. These models have “germ reducing” filters and a “lifetime” HEPA filter and coversan area of 187 square feet, or medium 11’x 17′ room. Pre-filters should be replaced approximately ever three months and cost $13.00 to $15.00 apiece. The Honeywell 18150 model has all the same features, except the “lifetime” HEPA filter. The unit measures 17″ tall x 18″ wide and is 16″ deep and weighs 21 pounds.
  • Honeywell 50250 air purifier retails for $147.00 to $200.00 and requires a Universal Carbon Prefilter replacement every three months at $16.95 and includes a “lifetime” HEPA Filter that must be replaced periodically at $45.95 to $59.97 per 3 pack or a one piece, non-lifetime HEPA Replacement Filter for $89.99. Ranked fourth in Consumer Reports 2005 survey, it will clean a 370 square foot room and has a CADR of 250. The unit measures 17.75″ wide, 17.75″ tall and is 19″ deep and weighs 21 pounds.
  • Honeywell Germicidal IFD HFD-130 Air Purifier is identical to the Honeywell Enviracaire IFD 60001 that is no longer available directly from the manufacturer, but is still widely available online and retails for $180. These models feature the Intelligent Filter Design (IFD) that never needs replacing due to a clever electrostatic collector grid and a polyester foam honeycomb-like collection grid which can be easily removed for cleaning. The unit has a 3-speed fan with a 12 hour timer and measures 14″ x 10″ x 23″ and weighs 13 pounds. Even though the energy consumption is a bit high at up to 150 watts on full speed, the unit is EnergyStar certified, and has a CADR of 145 for tobacco smoke, 140 for dust and 130 for pollen.

Whole-House Systems

  • F100 retails for $249 is the most basic whole-house model. It has a deep pleated furnace filter that captures particles as small as 1.0 micron. The filter is easy to replace, but the unit does not come with a change filter indicator, although an air watch indicator can be purchased for $31.00.
  • F200 Whole-House Media air cleaner is effective at catching particulates as small as 0.3 microns and retails for $299.99 The stury case can support the weight of a residential furnace and can be mounted in any position. It does not require an electrical connections and mounts in the return air duct and includes a wireless air watch indicator to notify when the filter requires changing, about every 6 to 12 months. Unit comes with a five year warranty and is easy to upgrade into a higher performance Electronic Air Cleaner.
  • F300 Electronic Air Cleaner retails for $550 and uses a 3-stage filtration system with an electrostatic charge to collect 99% of the particulates in an air stream. The unit comes with a 10 year Clean Coil Guarantee, and the filter cell never needs replacing, just washed off every 3 to 6 months. Electrostatic air cleaners do emit ozone, but this unit does not exceed the FDA safe levels.
  • F500 – Honeywell’s top of the line whole-house air cleaner is a 3-stage F500 retails for $1800 and includes a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and activated charcoal filter and comes with a 5-year warranty. It can be plugged into a regular 120 volt system and captures 99.97 percent of the airborne particulates and requires no maintenance except periodic filter replacement.

Riccar Air Purifiers Guide

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Overview

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

Riccar Models

Riccar EcoPure Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

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

Consumer Reports ?

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

Room Size ? : 324 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 28-85 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 15″H x 13″W x 8″D

Weight: 8.9 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : No

Riccar RAPL Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

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

Consumer Reports ?

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

Room Size ? : 284 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

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

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 21.9″H x 16.5″W x 9.9″D

Weight: 18.8 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Riccar RAPM Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

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

Consumer Reports ?

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

Room Size ? : 180 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

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

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 18.5″H x 13.8″W x 9.1″D

Weight: 13.7 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Air Purifier Noise Chart – Decibel Ratings of Common Sounds

Source

Decibel Rating (dB)

Falling leaves

Soft music

Mosquito buzz

Normal voices

Traffic sounds

Vacuum cleaner

Rock concert

Pain threshold (jet take off)

Perforation of ear drum (gun shot)

160 and higher

Riccar Company info

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

Products Offered, Warranty Info, and Pricing

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

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

Riccar Air Purifier Models

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

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

 

How to Get a Permacluster Air Purifier in Israel?

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Question

I am in Israel, and trying to get a Permacluster air purifier. I have searched, but cannot find any source in this country. I tried ordering online from U.K. but they only ship to UK, and Eire. Please help me with a provider of 220 volt Permacluster who sells online and CAN ship here. Thank you

-David S.

Answer

Do you mean the Sharp Plasmacluster?  I couldn’t find any air purifiers named “Permacluster”.

As for shipping to Israel, I think Amazon.com would be an option.  They have Sharp air purifiers and they do ship to Israel.  Other than that, I would just do a Google search for “sharp air purifiers” and look up the shipping information on each site that sells them to see if they have international shipping options.

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Sharp Air Purifiers Guide

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Sharp Company Info

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

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

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

Sold As “Sharp” or “Sharp-Roxy”

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

Air Purifier Price Range

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

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Sharp Air Purifier Models

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sharp Corporation Taiwan: Sharp Taiwan is based in Taipei.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IQAir Air Purifiers Guide

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IQAir® was begun by two German brothers 45 years ago and has grown to become an industry leader in indoor air quality research and development. Their state-of-the-art factory on Lake of Constance in Switzerland produces high-quality residential and commercial air purification stand-alone single room models as well as whole-House units that can be integrated into HVAC systems. IQAir systems can be purchased online or in franchise stores for $700 to $2300, depending on their level of sophistication.

IQAir Purification Technology

Most HEPA air filters last for 1 year and only captures particles down to 0.3 microns, which allows finer particles to escape. IQAir products feature HyperHEPA® filters which can capture particles down to 0.003 microns with a guaranteed minimum of 99.5% efficiency. They last 2 to 4 years and come in a 4-pack that cost between $295 and $395. Advanced models have V5-Cell gas filters that provide the molecular odor control capabilities to remove volatile organic compounds and gaseous chemicals and have to be replaced every 1 to 2 years.

Their “fan-in-center” design makes the 6-speed fan ultra-quiet, although the maximum energy consumption for all units is 215 watts, not too energy-efficient. IQAir® offers a 5 year warranty, excluding filters, on products for residential use and a 1 year warranty on products for commercial use.

Residential Whole-House Air Purifiers

The Perfect 16™ package includes a pre-installation evaluation, actual installation, post-installation testing and verification. All units are tested at the factory before being shipped and qualified technicians measure the particulate level in the home before and after installation, which typically takes 4 to 6 hours. IQAir® guarantees that the air will be 10 times cleaner after installation with over a 90 percent reduction in the airborne pollutants. No filter replacements are required for 3 years, making the yearly operational costs between $100 to $125. Although the homeowner can replace filters, it is recommended that an authorized installer replace them so they can retest the system and verify the date of filter replacement.

Commercial Air Purifiers

The GC series from IQAir is specifically designed for challenging environments like manufacturing plants or medical laboratories where chemical contamination is an issue. The smaller units are suitable for homeowners that have serious chemical, gas or odor issues. The main difference between the models is the type of material in the filtration cartridge, each of which contains 12-22 pounds of gas phase media. Each unit contains an activated carbon filter — sold in sets of four– and a fine dust micro-and-nano HEPA pre-filter. They all have control panels that feature an intelligent filter life monitor, six-speed fan settings, a programmable timer and LED status lights.

IQAir® products have received excellent ratings from many reviewers including Consumer Digest, Test Magazine, Newsweek and the Allergy Buyers Club, and are often rated number one in their category. Their residential whole house air purifier has received a perfect MERV rating of 16, the highest industry rating for this type of system.

IQAir Air Purifier Models

Residential Room Air Purifiers

  • HealthPro® Compact retails for $789 with a 900 square feet radius and stands 24″ high,” 15″ wide, 16″ deep and weighs 25 pounds. This model does not include the V5-Cell gas and odor filter, just the HyperHEPA® filter and a micro-particle PreMax filter.
  • HealthPro® retails for $839 and is 28″ high, 15″ wide, 16″ deep and weighs 29 pounds. It does not include the the V5-Cell gas and odor filter, but does have space for it to be upgraded later. Includes a HyperHEPA® and a PreMax filter.
  • HealthPro® Plus retails for $939 and measures 28″ high, 15″ wide, 16″ deep and weighs 35 pounds. This unit includes the V5-Cell gas and odor filter along with the HyperHEPA® and PreMax filter.

The Perfect 16™ whole-house unit comes in 2 models:

  • The smaller ID -2225 retails for $2795 and is 25.25″ high, 21.25″ wide and 21.25″ deep, weighs 59 pounds and has a capacity of three tons with a maximum air flow of 1400 cfm.
  • The larger unit, the ID -2530, retails for $3295 and can handle five tons with a maximum air flow of 2000 cfm.

Commercial Stand-Alone Air Purifiers

The GC series varies according to filter, and the unit stands 15″ tall, 16″ wide, 28″ deep, weighs from 39 to 46 pounds and has a maximum air delivery of 260 cfm.

  • GC VOC controls volatile organic compounds and solvents and cost $1189.
  • GC MultiGas retails for $1189 and controls a range of organic and inorganic chemicals and gases.
  • GC Chemisorber specifically controls formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, etc., and cost $1239.
  • GC AM is formulated to control ammonia compounds and cost $1239.

Dental Series

The IQAir® Dental Series comes in two models both specifically designed for dentist offices. The 5-filtration system is specifically combats bacteria, viruses, disinfectants and mercury vapors. The unit is 15″ tall, 16″ wide, 28″ deep and weighs 41 to 42 pounds and has a maximum air delivery of 260 cfm.

  • Dental Pro Stance is a portable unit on wheels that retails for $1444.
  • The Dental Hg FlexVac has a flexible suctioning duct, making it a possible to use it on targeted areas like the patient’s chest during drilling procedures.

Clean Room Grade Air Purifier

  • The IQAir® Cleanroom H13™ is the most advanced filtration system IQAir makes and has been specifically designed to contain infections in control units, isolation rooms and pharmaceutical laboratories. Retail price depends on filters required for specific conditions.

Do Air Purifiers Help with Allergies?

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Allergies and Airborne Particles

It is necessary to do some research to determine which product is best suited for the kind of allergens that cause the irritation, because not all units produce the same results.

Sources of Indoor Allergy Triggers & Effectiveness of Air Purifiers

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a non-profit patient advocacy group

If these particles stay suspended in the air, some air purifiers can filter them.  However, pet dander and dust mite feces in particular are heavier particles that often settle quickly and do not stay suspended in the air for long.  Air purifiers are effective at removing tobacco smoke but the best recommendation is not to allow smoking in the house at all.

Strategies For Reducing Indoor Allergy Triggers In Addition to an Air Purifier

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does recommend air purification products as part of the solution to tackling indoor air pollution that causes allergies, but considers it just part of a overall strategy that includes:

  • Adequate ventilation
  • Removal of on-going pollution sources like pets, smoke and mildew
  • Replacement of materials that emit VOCs
  • Air purification devices either for single rooms or whole house systems

Of course, many allergy suffers are affected seasonally by pollens and other environmental factors. In this case, the correct type of air purification device can prove very beneficial since these irritants are typically large particles that can easily be trapped by a filter.

Air Purifier Filter Technology

Air purification technology uses a number of different methods for air filtration, and it is recommended by the AAFA that you consult with your doctor to determine which type of system will eliminate the specific allergens that trigger your symptoms. AAFA cautions consumers about accepting the manufacturer’s claims and urge them to investigate the pros and cons of different methods fr themselves with their doctor’s guidence. The following air purification products are the most common for residential use:

  • HEPA Filters – and must be replaced every 6 months to a year and are typcially effective for seasonal allergies. 
  • Electrostatic Filters – May produce small amounts of ozone so these are rarely recommended.
  • Hybrid Filters – Using barrier filters like HEPA and material such as activated carbon to filter gasses provides an effective combination to reduce some types of allergen triggers
  • Ozone Generators –

For maximum protection, whole house air purification systems installed as part of the HVAC unit are highly recommended to filter larger particles combined with portable units with HEPA filtration to filter the smallest particles in rooms where allergy sufferers sleep.

Air Purifier Feature Considerations

Once you have determined the correct type of air purification system that works best for your particular allergies, you also need to consider the following factors before purchasing:

  • Coverage area –
  • Noise level –
  • Cost and ease of filter change –
  • Efficiency rating –  

For Further Information:

WebMD on Air Filters – http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/do-you-need-an-air-filter Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America – http://www.aafa.org/ Mayo Clinic (Asthma Friendly Products) – http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-friendly/AS00033/NSECTIONGROUP=2

 

Do Air Purifiers Help with Asthma?

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Can an air purifier help with asthma?  Experts weigh in.

Asthma sufferers are always interested in finding new ways to remove the particles in the air that aggravate their condition, and air purifiers certainly seem like a good solution to the problem and are often recommended by doctors. However, many studies by the EPA, Indoor Air Research facilities at major universities, and the American Lung Association have shown that this is not necessarily the case, although many air purification products advertise that they are effective in reducing asthma causing airborne contaminants. While this is true to a degree, studies show that residential air purification units — especially portable ones — have a limited effect.

Independent Studies

Research reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2004 showed that adding an air purifier to an urban home with children who suffer from asthma did create an overall better environment, but did not totally alleviate their asthma symptoms entirely since many of the irritating factors– especially dust mites and pet dander — are stirred up by sitting on furniture, walking across carpet or laying down on a pillow, and air purifiers cannot remove them from the room until they reach the filtration mechanism.

It is recommended that the source of allergens needs to be eliminated from indoor environments before an air filter can make a substantial difference. Obvious suspects like shedding pets, outdoor dust infiltration, cigarette smoke and mold and mildew buildup must be addressed directly and it is not realistic to expect residential air purification products to thoroughly overcome such contaminants to a degree that it would eliminate the cause of asthma attacks.

Federal Testing

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies have found that many of the airborne particulates that cause asthma are not filtered out because they are too small — under 0.3 microns — and that although residential air purifiers consistently decrease indoor concentrations of airborne irritants by 80%, which is an improvement, but should not be considered a definitive solution.

Ozone is Dangerous to Lung Health

The EPA actually warns consumers — especially asthma sufferers — about the dangers of air purifiers that emit ozone, claiming that short term or extended exposure to ozone can actually increase asthma symptoms because it is has toxicological properties that restrict and hamper lung function, even in healthy people. They do point out that there are no definitive studies on gas-phase filtration systems, photo catalytic oxidation cleaners (PCO) systems or UVGI (ultraviolet) systems, but express doubt that they are any more effective in reducing the tiny airborne particulates that most irritate asthma symptoms.

Medical Observations

Another important observation is discussed on the WebMD website that examines the effectiveness of indoor air cleaners. The article points out that portable room cleaners only work in the room in which they are running, so they should be located in strategic areas where the asthma sufferer spends most of the time, and especially in the bedroom at night. It recommends HEPA filters as the most effective for removing asthma causing particulates from the air, but admits that their effectiveness is limited.

Conclusion

  • New England Journal of Medicine – adding an air purifier helped air quality but didn’t totally alleviate asthma symptoms due to allergens & asthma triggers still located on surfaces and not in the air
  • Environmental Protection Agency – air purifiers reduced particles in the air considerably but did not filter allergy and asthma triggering particles smaller than .3 microns
  • WebMD Asthma Guide – HEPA filter based air purifiers helped clean the air but effect on asthma symptoms limited

Bottom line – Air purifiers can help clear the air considerably of many (not all) asthma inducing particles and irritants but are only a partial solution for asthma sufferers.  Surfaces that contain irritants need to be cleaned regularly and sources of irritants should be removed wherever possible.