Top Air Purifier Reviews

Guide

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

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

Here is my experience…

What are CADR Ratings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Easily Manipulate CARD Numbers

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

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

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

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

Ways of Reporting CADR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The (Modified) 2/3 Rule

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

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

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

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

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

CADR Helpful but Not the Only Factor to Consider

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The top four reasons the AHAM CADR rating is unreliable

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

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

A better standard than the AHAM CADR rating is available

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

It is known as EN1822 (European Norm 1822).

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

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

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

CADR Conclusions

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

How to Achieve Superior Air Purification with Activated Carbon Air Filters

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How to Achieve Superior Air Purification with Activated Carbon Air FiltersIs protecting your family from chemical air pollution important to you?

Activated carbon air filters will prove to be your only real defense against chemicals and odors. No other air purifier technology even comes close to removing the volume of chemicals that activated carbon does.

Consider why we use activated carbon for air purification. Only activated carbon removes gaseous chemical pollutants. Many troubling effects chemicals can cause you and your family to suffer include:

  • Cancer
  • Depression
  • Dizziness
  • Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Irritability
  • Lightheadedness
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
  • Memory loss
  • Nausea
  • Symptoms similar to a cold

How Can Activated Carbon Air Filters Benefit You?

Featured Site What Is Activated Carbon? Learn more at Wikipedia

Most persons looking to buy an air purifier initially do so to relieve an allergy or asthma condition and often think only in terms of particulate irritants like dust, pollen, and dander.

With a little research they discover the substantial negative health effects of the odors and chemicals they are exposed to in their homes and workplaces. It’s because of the ill health effects of chemical contaminants and the need to control them that better quality air purifiers include activated carbon air filters.

Activated carbon air filters can adsorb some of almost any vapor; have a large capacity for organic molecules, especially solvents; adsorb and retain a wide variety of chemicals at the same time; work well under a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels; are inert and safe to handle and use; and are readily available and affordable.

Activated carbon air filters can make the air healthier for people in general, but especially asthma sufferers, babies, children, the elderly, and are particularly helpful to people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

How To Choose The Best Activated Carbon Air Filters

Numerous air cleaners promise you the benefits of purification with activated carbon. What do you really need to know to judge your familys needs accurately?

First, differing chemicals and odors may require activated carbon with differing properties. These properties result from the source of the activated carbon, the methods used to create it, and any added chemisorbers and catalysts. These catalysts and chemisorbers enhance the adsorption of specific pollutants.

This allows you to select the specific activated carbon air filter for your needs. However, few air purifier manufacturers offer you any opportunity to select a custom carbon blend.

What about the quantity of carbon? Is an air cleaner offering only a simple activated carbon filter pad with a few ounces of activated carbon sufficient? Should you look for an air purifier that includes an activated carbon bed weighing many pounds?

For an activated carbon filter to be effective, there needs to be a sufficient amount of activated carbon so that the air passing through the filter is able to deposit its pollutant molecules.Most air cleaners on the market today include a foam or fibrous pad onto which a few ounces of carbon have been applied. This is so they can claim a broader range of air cleaning capabilities, but in reality such small quantities of carbon are ineffective.An activated carbon filter needs a deep bed consisting of many pounds of activated carbon to provide sufficient dwell time for the air passing through it to achieve maximum removal of pollutants.

The activated carbon pads found on most filters are also usually part of a pre-filter design that is intended to prevent large particles from prematurely clogging a higher efficiency filter placed behind the pre-filter. Unfortunately this allows fine dust particles to clog the micro pores of the activated carbon and results in very rapid reduction in its effectiveness.When choosing an activated carbon filter it is important to find one that provides a large bed of many pounds of activated carbon. Additionally the activated carbon media needs to be protected from premature clogging by being placed behind a pre-filter.An optimal flow of air needs to be available to pass through it. A cylindrical shaped design is an ideal solution for allowing maximum contact with the air.

To capture any carbon dust that may be lost from the activated carbon filter a post filter should be placed after the activated carbon and in front of any other high efficiency filter such as HEPA.

It is best if the air filter’s activated carbon bed and HEPA filter can be replaced separately as the activated carbon filter will typically have a shorter life than the HEPA filter. They both should be relatively easy to access.

Finally, you should be aware that while activated carbon is excellent for removal of highly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), less volatile compounds like formaldehyde and inorganic gases respond best to chemisorbers that break down the pollutants by chemical reaction. Thus, you should look for an activated carbon filter that is impregnated with appropriate media to control the particular pollutants that concern you.

I have found that Allerair air purifiers, with over forty different activated carbon blends available for almost any general application can meet anyone’s needs with ease. Allerair can also provide highly customized blends for special purposes to labs, industry, military or anyone with needs beyond the usual residential, healthcare, or commercial uses.

If you’re going to buy an air purifier, it only makes sense to purchase one that can control practically anything.

Is a HEPA Filter Really Necessary?

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Is A HEPA Filter Really Necessary? Should you choose a HEPA filter over other alternatives?

At first glance there may seem to be added expense in your initial purchase. You may feel that replacement filters will expensive and cumbersome. With so many air cleaners promising to be “silent” or have “no messy, expensive filters” you might feel that HEPA filter air purifiers are a second rate option. Is the marketing of well-heeled consumer product companies really doing justice to this mainstay of air purification?

I feel that many people are being misled by the disinformation of irresponsible marketing campaigns. That is one of the reasons for building this site. Multiple chemical sensitivity, allergy and asthma are problems I am personally familiar with. So finding effective air purification systems has been a priority in my life for the last fourteen years.

Ultimately I came to the conclusion that a HEPA air filtration system is the best solution available. I believe that you too will benefit from a HEPA air cleaner.

To explain why let’s start with the most basic questions you should ask when deciding on an air purifier.

Questions you should ask of any air purifier

  • What will the air cleaner remove from the air? What will it not?
  • How efficient is the air purifier? How effective is the technology it uses to clean the air?
  • What size of air cleaner will I need? How many air changes per hour will it provide in that size room?
  • How easy is it to change or clean the filter? How often is this maintenance necessary? What our the cost and availability of the filters?
  • How much noisey is the sysyem, can I run it when I am asleep.?

With these questions in mind, how effectively does HEPA air filtration give the results you’ll be most satisfied with?

Evaluating HEPA air filtration

What will a HEPA filter remove from your home air? What will it not?

HEPA filters can also capture irritant particles like tobacco smoke. Usually some form of prefilter is used to trap larger dust particles that would prematurely clog the higher efficiency HEPA filter placed after it.

HEPA filters will not remove chemicals and odors. This is why they are often combined with activated carbon filters.

Of course, all filtering systems likewise claim to remove such particles. They likewise need to be supplemented in some way to remove odors and chemicals. The real advantage of HEPA air filtration is seen in its overall effectiveness versus these other air cleaners.

What is the efficiency rating of HEPA? How effective is the technology versus other air cleaning systems?

Only HEPA air filtration meets a standard recognized by government and industry. To receive the HEPA designation it must remove 99.97% of all particles as small as 0.3 micron in size.

While other filter media remove some particles at that size their efficiency varies and is often no greater than 50%. Even much larger particles like pollen may not be fully removed. The problem with non-HEPA filters is you have no way of knowing how effective they are.

Ion generators do not remove particles at all. Their method is to fill the air with charged particles that tend to attract other particles. These stick together and presumably settle out of the air more quickly. Some charged particles will stick to the walls and furnishings. This has been called the “black wall effect”. The EPA has expressed concern that these uncollected charged particles may even deposit within the lungs of exposed persons.

Ionic air cleaners that use collector plates are called electrostatic precipitators. Their efficiency at particle collection tends to be no greater than 80%, much less than HEPA air filtration. Studies have shown that the collection efficiency can be reduced to as little as 20% in as few as three days due to particle loading of the collector plates.

Some people claim that ozone generators clean the air by destroying the contaminants. Scientific studies have shown this to clearly not be the case. Ozone can react with pollutants but the partial breakdown byproducts that result can be more numerous and more dangerous than the original pollutants. Ozone generators’ efficiency at removing contaminants is essentially zero.

If you really want the most effective air cleaning available then HEPA air filtration is your best choice.

Will the air purifier clean the air in a room as large as you need? How many air changes per hour will it provide in that size room?

HEPA air filtration is the most effective means to clean large volumes of air rapidly.

Of course, these air purifiers come in a wide variety of sizes allowing you to choose according to your needs. Some Allerair air cleaners reportedly cover areas as large as 1800 sq. ft. However, that is at a reduced number of air changes per hour. Even so, the total capacity of these fan forced air cleaners is always far greater than other systems.

In ionic air cleaners that use no fan the speed of ionized air being pulled through the unit is quite low. This means a very much-reduced ability to clean large volumes of air.

Where ionic air cleaners have an added fan the air speed has to be kept low also. This is because a fast moving air stream would not permit the charged particles to be deflected onto the collector plates. Again, you don’t get the ability to clean large volumes of air quickly.

How easy to change the filter? How often is this maintenance necessary? Cost and availability of the filters?

One of the greatest scams in the air purifier market among non-HEPA air cleaners is to sell a cheap air purifier and then bilk the customer later with pricey regular filter changes. Sometimes the filters are hard to come by, either the store selling the air cleaner doesn’t carry the filters or is chronically out of stock.

The actual cost of a replacement HEPA filter may seem high compared to a non-HEPA filter. However, consider that replacement may be once every two, five, even eight years in the case of the Allerair AirMedic. This means the annual cost to have clean air is low by comparison.

With ionic air cleaners you avoid the cost of replacement filters but cannot avoid the necessity of constant maintenance cleaning of the collection system. Many owners have complained at how difficult it is to properly clean closely spaced collector assemblies. A collector grid that isn’t cleaned regularly doesn’t clean the air and can develop a residue on the plates that will not come off. This permanently reduces its ability to clean.

HEPA air filters are very easy to change. Manufacturers have made certain tools are never required and most can be completely replaced in less than five minutes.

All things considered, HEPA air filtration is simple, easy, low maintenance and low in long term cost while offering the best air cleaning possible.

How much noise does the filtration system make? Is it quiet enough to run while you sleep?

HEPA air filtration tends to be the noisiest because of the fan forcing air through the system. However, high quality HEPA air purifier manufacturers recognize this and do their best to keep noise levels as low as possible. All offer low speed settings that are quiet enough to sleep without disturbance.

If you choose the right size air purifier it will be able to give sufficient air changes per hour at a lower speed setting. This keeps noise low and gives you additional cleaning capacity at a higher setting in the event it is needed, like after a cooking mishap.

Ionic air cleaners may have an edge in the “silence is golden” department, but this comes at the expense of performance.

I encourage you to put greater value on air cleaning performance and choose HEPA air filtration.

If you would like to consider air purifiers from companies that keep your needs in mind and offer truly effective and reliable air purification IQAir, Allerair, Austin Air and BlueAir are among the best.

Is a filterless air purifier equal to the hype?

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Is a filterless air purifier equal to the hype? Is a filterless air purifier right for you? Would you like to know more about the limitations of filterless purifiers before you make your final decision?

I understand that you sincerely want to make a good decision when it comes to your family’s health. Shouldn’t you have as complete an understanding of the facts as possible? The marketing behind filterless air cleaners can be very compelling. However, like all marketing, it can be very biased, presenting only the most favorable information for their products. Often, real and imagined “deficiencies” of competitors are exaggerated well beyond what is reasonable. This is certainly the case when it comes to “no filter” air purifiers. In one advertisement after another you find air cleaners based on varied technologies proclaiming “no filter replacement”.

Oh, how difficult it must be changing filters, since the filter free purifiers insist on how you need no tools.

Oh, how messy filters must be to replace, they imply as they show some poor woman gagging on dust.

Oh, how expensive filter replacement must be, with some vendors quoting costs in the thousands. But is a filterless air purifier really the ideal solution to your air quality problems?

What are your filterless air purifier choices and how do they work?

Allow me to introduce you to the primary technologies found in filterless air cleaners:

  • Electrostatic precipitators(often called ionics by vendors)
  • Ion generators (the true ionic cleaner)
  • Ozone generators
  • Photocatalytics
  • Plasmacluster ionics

The electrostatic precipitator

The electrostatic precipitator charges particles in the air and then uses a series of collector plates with an opposite charge to attract the particles to the plates. It is possible for particles as small as 0.1 micron to be collected this way.

The ion generator

True ionizers simply emit ions into the air. These attach to airborne particles and cause them to aggregate into clumps until they fall to the floor or stick to walls, draperies, or furniture. While these filterless air purifiers help clear the air the dirt is not removed permanently.

The ozone generator

Ozone generators purposefully have ozone emissions that push the limits of what is considered acceptable for human exposure. The claim is that ozone destroys particles and gases and odors and that it is healthful to breathe. The scientific consensus is that such claims are completely false. This is the position the US Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Trade Commission take. Until the law is strengthened, these devices will continue to be marketed as air cleaners and continue to do harm.

The photocatalytics

Plasmacluster Ions

A new technology developed by Sharp. These ions are drawn to airborne contaminants like bacteria and viruses by their electrical charge. The ions surround the contaminant and form hydroxyl radicals that ultimately destroy the contaminant. This technology has been proven effective against biological pollutants like mold, pollen, viruses and bacteria as well as chemical and particulate contaminants. But this technology is also generally combined with filtration.

What are the top ten drawbacks of filterless air purifiers?

  1. Low efficiency. Scientific evidence indicates that home ozone generators are all but zero percent capable of cleaning the air. The best models of electrostatic precipitators only achieve about 80% efficiency at particle removal. Ion generators have some effect but precise measurements are hard to come by, and besides, any particles they help settle out of the air are easily disturbed and reintroduced into the air. Photocatalytic and plasmacluster air cleaners work best on only the smallest of particles.
  2. Rapid loss of efficiency. Loading of electrostatic precipitator collector plates with captured particles rapidly degrades efficiency at collecting further particles. Efficiency can be reduced to below 20% in as few as three days. CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) labels on air cleaners indicate that the stated performance refers to the first 72 hours of use. This is because the voluntary testing is limited to 72 hours, primarily due to the fact that manufacturers know their products cannot sustain high efficiency. Ozone generators are worthless to begin with. Ion generators can suffer from corrosion and contamination of electrode pins and wires, reducing their ability to generate ions. Similar contamination buildup on the semiconductor plate of photocatalytics can reduce effectiveness.
  3. Constant maintenance. The rapid reduction in collection efficiency due to electrostatic precipitator plate loading requires regular maintenance cleaning. From twice a week to daily is recommended, depending on the environment. This sounds like a lot of work for the “benefit” of a “no maintenance”, “no filter replacement” filterless air purifier. Ion generators also need regular maintenance of their electrodes, cleaning them with an alcohol swab.
  4. Reduction in efficiency over life of unit. Even with regular maintenance cleaning, collection efficiency will degrade due to deposits that simply cannot be removed. This is an even greater problem when cleaning is not regular. This degrading over the life of the unit can effect all filterless air cleaner technologies.
  5. Short life. Corrosion of the ionizing wire or needlepoint ionizing pins, electrical failures of the high voltage systems, and other problems can lead to product failure. Hence, warranties of filter free air purifiers tend to be far shorter than the five to ten years available on better quality HEPA air purifiers.
  6. Ozone production. Electrostatic precipitators and ozone generators produce ozone, a hazardous gas that damages the tissues of the airways causing increased sensitization to allergens, difficulty breathing for asthmatics, and possible severe respiratory distress. Photocatalytic and plasmacluster air cleaners are ozone free.
  7. Limited area due to low airflow. The need for ionized particles to spend sufficient time in the air electrostatic precipitators to be charged and then deflected onto the collection plates means air speed must be low. This limits the amount of clean air that can be delivered by the units. Likewise other filterless air purifier systems also tend to demonstrate much lower clean air delivery than can be achieved by a good HEPA filter air purifier. Of course, clean air delivery for an ozone generator is essentially zero, especially since ozone is itself a pollutant.
  8. No effect on gaseous contaminants. Chemical toxins, mold mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, the hundreds of chemicals in cigarette smoke all pass through an electrostatic precipitators unaffected. Ion generators likewise have no effect on chemical pollutants. Ozone generators, while marketed as being able to destroy these contaminants have consistently failed to do so in scientific studies. What is more, breakdown products of ozone oxidized contaminants have been shown to be more toxic than the original pollutants and more numerous. Photocatalytic and plasmacluster air purifiers do show excellent promise in handling chemical contaminants.
  9. Black wall effect / Black lung. Ionized particles created with an ion generator will collect on walls, furniture, or any available surface. This includes the inside surface of your lungs. This effect has been given a name. It’s called the black wall effect. The EPA has noted the health hazard of negatively charged respirable particles adhering to your lung tissues. See: Possible effects of particle charging
  10. Arbitrary pricing serves as no guide. Testing often shows that high priced filterless air purifiers may perform no better or even worse than cheaper models. Consumer Reports has periodically tested a number of the market leaders in this category and given them poor ratings due to inadequate performance and ozone production. Quality of materials and construction, durability, and effectiveness do not seem to play a consistent role in pricing. Rather, it seems the basis for price is simply what the market will bear and what their advertising budget can convince people to pay for the promise of clean air.

Are there filterless air purifier alternatives?

It’s very understandable to want an air purifier that is effective, reasonable in cost, low maintenance, and has low long term cost of ownership. That’s why a filterless air purifier appeals to so many.

The idea of “filter free” seems to solve maintenance and long term cost issues. Unfortunately, this isn’t really the case, and effectiveness tends to also be sacrificed. Plus, the initial cost of these air cleaners can often equal that of a good HEPA air cleaner.

There are better alternatives to “no filter” air purifiers that really can be reasonable in total cost and easy to live with. Allerair air purifiers and Austin Air air purifiers are two that stand out.

These two manufacturers both offer a variety of models that are reasonable in initial cost, use filters that last up to five years and are economical and easy to replace with no tools.

Should you consider an air ionizer?

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Should you consider an air ionizer? One of the most confusing terms in the field of air purification is the air ionizer. In one advertisement after another we find air cleaning devices with widely varied technologies claiming to ionize the air. So just exactly what are we talking about when we use the term “air ionizer”.

The one thing that all these air cleaning devices have in common is they are a form of electronic air purifier. Electronic air purifiers use a high voltage wiring system to create an electrical charge that results in particulates passing through becoming negatively charged.

But after that the similarity ends and a whole host of differences begin to show up. Some use collector plates and some don’t. Some have a fan and others don’t. Some use a charged media filter and others use various mechanical filters including HEPA type filtration. Some use the ionization potential to deliberately create ozone and some attempt to reduce ozone byproducts with catalysts. Finally, there are the hybrids that mix and match approaches, sometimes including as many as five different technologies.

It’s no wonder that comparing air ionizer air cleaners is confusing. How can you know what is effective? Are there any that should definitely be avoided?

The vast field of products renders it ridiculously difficult to evaluate air ionizers individually. However, it is possible to break down the basic technological approaches used and determine if any one or combination is worthwhile.

The primary technologies found in air ionizer devices are:

  • The electrostatic precipitator
  • The negative ion generator
  • The ozone generator

Each of these receives a brief overview below.

The electrostatic precipitator

The electrostatic precipitator uses a series of collector plates with a charge opposite that of the ionized particles. This results in a powerful electrostatic attraction that pulls the particles to the plates like a magnet.

It is possible for particles as small as 0.1 micron to be collected this way. Since this is smaller than the 0.3 micron rating of HEPA filters you will sometimes see claims that these devices are better than HEPA. However, it must be pointed out that even the best electrostatic precipitators are only 80% efficient. Compare this to the 99.97% efficiency of a HEPA filter.

Apart from the poor initial collection efficiency is the additional flaw that the plates progressively lose efficiency as material is collected. Research shows that in as few as three days you can lose as much as 80% of the collection efficiency of clean plates. This means your electrostatic precipitator will only be attracting about 20% of the particles passing through it. Regular maintenance cleaning is an absolute necessity. At a minimum, the collection plates should be cleaned twice a week and every day would be best in order to achieve maximum efficiency.

On a final note, electrostatic precipitators will produce ozone in sufficient quantities to be an irritant to many people, especially those with pulmonary related illnesses like asthma.

The negative ion generator negative ionizer no collector and brief faults

The ozone generatorozone generator and faults

Eleven ways air ionizers underperform

  1. Low efficiency. Even the best models only achieve 80% efficiency at particle removal. They are unable to clean the air to HEPA standards.
  2. Rapid loss of efficiency. Loading of collector plates with captured particles rapidly degrades efficiency at collecting further particles. Efficiency can be reduced to below 20% in as few as three days.
  3. Constant maintenance. The rapid reduction in collection efficiency due to plate loading requires regular maintenance cleaning. From twice a week to daily is recommended, depending on the environment.
  4. Reduction in efficiency over life of unit. Even with regular maintenance cleaning, collection efficiency will degrade as constant bombardment from high energy ions corrodes the needlepoint ionizers or ionizing wire.
  5. Short life. Corrosion of the ionizing wire or needlepoint ionizing pins by ion bombardment will result in failure of the air ionizer. Hence, short warranties.
  6. Ozone production. All air ionizers produce ozone, a hazardous gas that damages the tissues of the airways causing increased sensitization to allergens, difficulty breathing for asthmatics, and possible severe respiratory distress.
  7. Limited coverage area. Government regulations on ozone exposure levels effectively requires manufacturers to balance the ionization potential of their units against the level of ozone produced. This serves to limit the area an ionizer can effectively clean. This means that you must buy multiple units to achieve the same coverage area as a single HEPA purifier may be capable of handling.
  8. Limited area, part II. Low air flow. The need for ionized particles to spend sufficient time in the air ionizer to be deflected onto the collection plates means air speed must be slow. Thus, air ionizers often use no fan or a low speed fan. Low air flow means low air volume handled by the unit and thus significant limitations on the size of the area that can be cleaned. Again, you must buy several units to achieve the coverage of a single HEPA air purifier.
  9. No effect on gaseous contaminants. Chemical toxins, mold mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, the hundreds of chemicals in cigarette smoke all pass through an air ionizer unaffected.
  10. Black wall effect / Black lung. Ionized particles not collected on plates in the electrostatic precipitator or by design with a negative ion generator will instead collect on walls, furniture, or any available surface. This includes the inside surface of your lungs. This effect has been given a name. It’s called the black wall effect. The health hazard of negatively charged respirable particles adhering to your lung tissues has been noted by the EPA. See: Possible effects of particle charging
  11. Arbitrary pricing serves as no guide. Testing often shows that high priced models may perform no better or even worse than cheaper ones. Quality of materials and construction, durability, and effectiveness do not seem to play a consistent role in pricing. Rather, it seems the basis for price is simply what the market will bear for the promise of clean air. This situation is often pointed out by the sellers of air ionizers themselves.

Why Choose Allerair Smoking Area Air Purifiers?

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Do the Allerair smoking area air purifiers offer you advantages you won’t find in other products?

Admittedly, finding an air purifier to remove tobacco smoke in the home, in bars, restaurants or other indoor environments can be especially difficult. Most devices sold as home smoke eaters are simply not up to the task of cigarette smoke removal.

Those relying on electrostatic precipitator plates rapidly lose effectiveness as the plates load with tobacco smoke particles and they have no effect at all on the gases that are responsible for tobacco smoke odor.

Ozone generators have no effect on particles, minimal effect on smoke odor due to the low concentrations of ozone that are considered “safe”, and actually may increase your health problems due to the damage ozone can do to lung tissues.

Other air purifiers claiming to be smoke eaters offer activated carbon as a method of smoke odor removal. While this is the right idea, since activated carbon certainly works, they only provide a few token ounces of carbon impregnated into a thin foam mesh.

For these reasons looking for an air purifier for cigarette smoke removal is like looking for a needle in a haystack. While many products claim to be a smokers air cleaner most perform poorly if at all.

Why I Recommend Allerair Smoking Area Air Purifiers

If you’re looking for an air purifier to remove tobacco smoke you need one that can adequately handle both the particulate and gaseous components of tobacco smoke.

My own personal recommendation is for you to consider the Allerair smoking area air purifiers. Allerair has developed well over one hundred models of air purifiers for home, commercial, and industrial use – more than any other in the world. As a company dedicated to the air purification needs of medicine, industry, businesses, and the home they have expertise that cannot be matched by mass-market merchandisers.

Turning their attention to the need to remove tobacco smoke faced by many of their customers they developed innovative products you simply won’t find anywhere else.

The Allerair smoking area air purifiers have a patented tar trapping pre-filter that acts to remove the heavy tars in tobacco smoke before they reach the rest of the filter media.

The smoke laden air then passes through a deep bed of granular activated carbon, custom blended to have enhanced adsorption properties against the chemicals found in tobacco smoke. This bed may be from 15 to 160 pounds of activated carbon, depending on the model. H

High quality true HEPA filters complete the process by eliminating smoke particles from the air.

If you’re looking for a smokers air cleaner Allerair offers the most effective cigar and cigarette smoke removal available.

The Allerair smoking area air purifiers succeed like no other.

The Allerair Smoking Area Air Purifiers

Allerair 4000 DS

These air purifiers are specially designed smokers units, which feature a unique pre-filter.

The unit also features a micro-wrap filter to deal with small particles as small as the ash and a 3″ extra-deep, 12 pound activated carbon bed. Carbon filters are the only effective way of filtration for removing the odors of tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke and odors are most effectively trapped when your air purifier is set on low speed.

The Allerair 4000 DXS offers a 3.5″ extra-deep, 15 pound, carbon bed which increases dwell time, allowing more chemicals, gases and odors to be absorbed.

Allerair 5000 DS

The 5000 series models are by far the most popular of all Allerair’s air purifiers. Larger than the 4000 series the Allerair 5000 DS includes an extra-deep 22 pound carbon filter which increases dwell time, allowing more chemicals, gases and odors to be absorbed.

The Allerair 5000 DS Vocarb model also has the extra-deep 22 pound carbon filter. The activated carbon in the DS Vocarb has received additional treatments to enhance it’s effectiveness against a wide range of volatile organic compounds.

The Allerair DS Vocarb model provides the most comprehensive protection against airborne chemicals and odors.

The Allerair 5000 DS UV features a 10 Watt Ultraviolet lamp to sterilize airborne antigens and pathogens like mold, bacteria, and viruses as well as the same air filtration system as the 5000 DS model.

The Allerair 5000 DXS models have an activated carbon bed that is even deeper than the DS models at 3.5″ and 28 pounds increasing the air purifiers abilty to adsorb chemicals, gases and odors even more.

The Allerair 5000 DXS UV is the same as above but also features a 10 Watt Ultraviolet lamp to sterilize airborne antigens and pathogens like mold, bacteria, and viruses.

Allerair 6000 DS

The Allerair 6000 DS air purifiers feature the same high quality filtration as the previous air purifiers but in an even larger package. This allows the use of even more carbon for tobacco smoke removal The unit comes with a 3 inch extra-deep, 28 pound carbon filter.

The Allerair 6000 DXS air purifiers feature an even deeper, 3.5 inch, 36 pound carbon filter.

Allerair 9400 Ceiling Mount Air Purifier

Allerair also offers ceiling mounted air purifiers for heavy duty use in bars and restaurants where smoke and odors are the main concerns.

Customizable for different applications the Allerair 9400 units are successfully used in homes as central air purifiers by connecting directly into your HVAC ducts.

Save energy and help protect the environment by cleaning and recirculating the heated indoor air instead of exhausting it. Application specific carbon blends for controlling over 4000 specific chemicals are available.

The 9400 model comes with a 360 cfm rated fan, the 9450 model has a 560 cfm rated fan, and the 9475 model has 735 cfm rated fan.

All models offer several filtration options.

Option one is a 1 inch particle trap pre-filter to capture large particles and a pleated post filter with an additional 2 inch true HEPA filter and 15 pounds of special carbon for chemicals, gases and odors.

Option two is to double the amount of activated carbon to a total of 30 pounds.

Option three is 15 pounds of MAC-B special carbon and a bag filter.

Why Use Allerair Smoking Area Air Purifiers?

Activated carbon which is one of the main filtration components of the Allerair smoking area air purifiers is the only known media proven to effectively remove the effects of tobacco smoke long after the active smoking ceased.

Dangerous substances, compounds of tobacco smoke (benzene, toluene, arsenic, nicotine, cyanide, trichlorethylene…) lingering on the walls, drapes or furniture are being released as the air circulates through the room.

Recirculating a continuous flow of air, at low speed (400 CFM) through an activated carbon filter allows it to be properly cleaned of these pollutants.

Allerair includes specially formulated activated carbon in order to create a really powerful air purifier dedicated to control tobacco smoke at all times.

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An air purifier without an activated carbon air filter is only half an air purifier.html

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An air purifier without an activated carbon air filter is only half an air purifier Just as in the case of other air purification technologies, the activated carbon air filter is misunderstood, misleadingly advertised, and mistakenly dismissed as unimportant. Ionic type air purifiers do not use one at all. Air purifiers promoting their HEPA or HEPA-type media may include a thin fibrous pad with a few token ounces of activated carbon. How should you, as a consumer, evaluate these products? Will they do for you all that you expect from an air cleaner? Or should you insist on something more? The very companies that should help make your decision an easier one often do just the opposite. Unfortunately, one of the most frustrating things about searching for air purifiers is the prevalence of hype and the absence of real information. Rather than follow suit and toss dozens of alarming “quotes from experts” at you, I hope to answer some of the most basic questions you may have. What can an activated carbon air filter really do for you? Will activated carbon filters prove to be your only real defense against chemicals and odors? How does activated carbon work in air purifiers? How much do you need? How can you evaluate which air purifiers are best for your needs? No other air purifier technology comes close to removing the volume of chemicals that activated carbon does. If you’re serious about making the best possible choice in air purification, why not take the time to review the information in this article?

What can an activated carbon air filter do for you?

Air purification with activated carbon air filters is the single best way to remove chemical pollutants from the air. An activated carbon filter will adsorb some of almost any vapor, especially organic molecules and solvents. Activated carbon can adsorb and retain a wide variety of chemicals at the same time. Activated carbon air filters work well under a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels; are inert and safe to handle and use; and are readily available and affordable. While activated carbon does remove many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some compounds like formaldehyde and inorganic gases respond best to chemisorbers that break down the pollutants by chemical reaction. You should look for air purifiers containing activated carbon impregnated with appropriate chemisorbers and catalysts to control the particular pollutants that concern you.

How does activated carbon work in air purifiers?

When gases, chemicals and odors pass slowly through a thick filter packed with activated carbon they become trapped in the million of pores opened by the activation process. Due to the large internal surface area of activated carbons it can adsorb up to 60% of its weight. Good carbon filters, depending on the environment in which they are used, can last up to 5 years before all of the pores are full.

What should you look for when choosing your activated carbon air cleaner?

Is protecting your family from airborne chemical toxins important to you? Would you like to control unpleasant odors from cooking, cleaning or smoking? Do you have sensitivities to volatile organic compounds? An activated carbon air filter is the best way to accomplish these tasks, but will just any old purifier claiming to have activated carbon be good enough? Many air purifiers claim to use activated carbon for gas and odor removal, but will not mention how much is in their filter. In an average home, that small amount of carbon could get saturated in days, even hours. After this, the filter would need to be replaced or it would be doing nothing. For an activated carbon filter to be effective, there needs to be a sufficient amount of activated carbon so the air passing through is able to deposit its pollutants. When choosing an activated carbon filter it is important to find one that provides a large activated carbon bed weighing many pounds. Additionally the activated carbon media needs to be protected from premature clogging by being placed behind a pre-filter. An optimal flow of air needs to be available to pass through it. A cylindrical shaped design is an ideal solution for allowing maximum contact with the air. It is best if the air filter’s activated carbon bed and HEPA filter can be replaced separately as the activated carbon filter will typically have a shorter life than the HEPA filter. They both should be relatively easy to access and replace, preferably without tools. Another point to look for is whether you can replace the activated carbon media itself without replacing the entire containing cartridge. Bulk media is much less expensive than a complete cartridge unit. Among the best air purifiers offering activated carbon air filters are Allerair, IQAir, Blueair, and Austin Air. 

The True HEPA Filter Revealed

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If you worked in a military or government procurement office the term True HEPA filter would have no meaning. Nor would it mean anything if you were contracting a HEPA filter supplier for industry.

Only in air purifier marketing will you see the term hyped as if it were the all-important gold standard. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Air purifier companies have one very good reason for it – Shady competitors with inferior products dishonestly associate themselves with the HEPA efficiency standard.

The term true HEPA is entirely a marketing term. In industry, government and military applications a filter is either HEPA or it isn’t. However, there are different specifications for defining HEPA.

Defining The True HEPA Filter Standard

The usual standard for measuring air cleaner efficiency health or cleanroom purposes is the MIL-STD-282 Method 102.9.1 Dioctylphthalate test (D.O.P test) which requires the filter to capture 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles. So a True HEPA filter has the proven efficiency of 99.97% at 0.3 microns by this test.

However, there are specific filtration grades given to each filter spanning that range. This allows an end user to know exactly what they are purchasing. In many respects, it is a better way of expressing air filter efficiencies.

How Other Filters Compare To True HEPA

A True HEPA filter’s D.O.P.-rated efficiency is it’s minimum starting efficiency. The actual operating efficiency is higher than that, for all particle sizes from 0.001 micron upwards.

The starting efficiency of any non-HEPA air cleaner is very much lower – anywhere from 5% to 60% by the D.O.P. test. True HEPA filters are far more efficient for air cleaning than other types of filtration systems.

Filter systems like electronic air cleaners’ aluminium plates or 3M Filtrete media depend on electrostatic charges to attract dust to its plates or fibers. As the plates or fibers load up with dust, their ability to attract more dust drops dramatically.

An electronic air cleaner or 3M Filtrete-based air cleaner’s starting efficiency is usually the maximum efficiency. With use the efficiency will drop very fast and the average operating efficiency is much lower.

Some published studies have shown that an electronic air cleaner’s efficiency can drop to one-fifth of its starting efficiency within 26 hours of operation. That, plus the fact that most electronic filters are not very efficient at .3 microns and even worse for particles less than .3 microns, makes a strong case against electronic filter types.

A Few Facts About True HEPA

True HEPA filtration is currently the only type of air purification recommended by the U.S. Government’s Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.

Contrary to the claims of misleading air cleaner ads, bacteria and viruses do not breed in true HEPA filters. HEPA filters provide a dry environment and without moisture there is nothing to keep bacteria alive, much less breed. If such is the case, methods for killing bacteria within a HEPA filter include antimicrobial treatment of the media or a germicidal ultraviolet light.

Though it may only be a marketing term, it is born of the necessity to counteract the efforts of many impersonators. There are many air cleaners claiming to have HEPA type filters. These air cleaners have no specified performance rating, so you have no way of knowing how good it is. In many cases a high efficiency furnace filter with a MERV 13 rating would be as good as these much more expensive air cleaners.

My own personal conviction is that buying a HEPA filter air purifier is the best choice I can make.

Does An Ionic Air Purifier Work As Well As They Want You To Believe?

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Ionic air cleaners exposed!

What is it about an ionic air purifier that consumers find so compelling?

Is it the long, svelte curves that seem to say “High Tech”?

Is it the promise of whisper quietness that tickles their ear?

By comparison, how could you prefer that fat, loud and unattractive box, the HEPA air purifier?

But beauty’s only as deep as the injection molded plastic.

What you read in this review of ionic air cleaners may make you reconsider rushing the merchant with a fist full of dollars.

Get facts no ionic air purifier review dares reveal

Facts like these that directly impact your health and satisfaction…

  • Even the best electronic air purifiers are no better than 80% efficient
  • Cleaning power falls rapidly, losing up to 80% in as few as three days
  • Regular plate cleaning is a must, exposing you to captured allergens
  • Cleaning efficiency steadily declines over the life of the unit
  • Defects and burn outs result in a short service life
  • All ionizing air purifiers produce dangerous ozone
  • Very low air flow severely limits coverage area
  • No ionic air purifier has any effect on gases and odors
  • Ionic air cleaner pricing is often unrelated to quality or effectiveness

Read on for the full exposé…

Ionic air purifiers are not better than HEPA

How well does an electrostatic precipitator really clean your air?

Marketing claims of “better than HEPA” performance abound because ionizing air purifiers may remove particles as small as 0.1 micron.

You may be aware that HEPA filters are at least 99.97% efficient at 0.3 micron. So, the ability to remove 0.1 micron particles seems to justify claims of better performance than HEPA filtration.

How does this stand up to the facts?

First, the efficiency rating of HEPA air filters is clearly stated in every HEPA air purifier ad you see.

Bottom Line: Ionic air purifiers compare poorly to HEPA. They offer only low, inconsistent and undetermined efficiency.

Ionic air cleaner efficiency drops quickly

Unlike HEPA filters that increase in capture efficiency as they load up with particles, electronic air cleaners rapidly lose efficiency. No ionic air purifier review reveals this severe limitation.

In as few as three days efficiency can be less than 20% that of clean plates. Since the best ionic air cleaners may have an initial efficiency of 80% your electrostatic precipitator may only attract 15% of passing particles.

Bottom Line: The poor performance of an ionic air purifier rapidly becomes even more dismal.

Ionic air purifier maintenance is more than claimed

Marketing typically presents only favorable information. Real or imagined deficiencies in competing products are exaggerated or simply misrepresented.

Have you been persuaded by cleaning and maintenance claims like these?

“See how easy it is to clean, just wipe or toss in the dishwasher!”

“Oh, how difficult it is replacing filters in HEPA air purifiers!”

“Oh, how impossibly messy filters are!”

“Oh, how expensive filter replacement is!”

Consider this fact, a HEPA filter may only require replacement once every two to five years depending on the model. Most purifiers are designed for quick filter replacement, taking perhaps five minutes.

At least one air purifier, the Honeywell 50250, is marketed as never requiring filter replacement, just occasionally vacuum it clean.

Yet, as addressed above, rapid efficiency loss due to plate loading means ionic purifier cleaning should be a daily chore to keep efficiency at a reasonable level. Most people never perform this task as often as needed.

The next time you hear an ionic air cleaner crackling and popping like a bug zapper on a summer night remember this article and clean that thing.

Bottom Line: Electronic air purifiers demand more effort than advertised.

Ionic air cleaners degrade steadily over time

This means pollutants can become stubbornly, if not permanently, adhered to the collection plates. Thus whatever efficiency you once enjoyed is gone for good.

Even with regular cleaning, oxidation of the aluminum plates occurs causing reduction in efficiency.

Bottom Line: Ionic air purifiers degrade steadily over time no matter what you do.

Electrostatic precipitators have a short service life

The numerous ionic purifiers I see sitting on curbs awaiting garbage collection would seem to say “No, this isn’t a good product”.

Of course, many may get thrown out when people realize they don’t work very well anyway.

One indicator you can rely upon as a guide to life expectancy is the manufacturer’s warranty. How long is it? 90 days? A year? Two years?

Most manufacturers anticipate few warranty claims. They know most customers throw the old unit away and forget about it. Even so, they protect themselves with short warranties.

Compare ionic air purifier warranties with those of top HEPA air purifiers like those featured on this site.

Some of these manufacturers stand behind their air purifiers for as long as ten years with many satisfied customers still using air purifiers originally purchased fifteen years ago or more.

Bottom Line: Ionic air cleaners offer no long term value.

Ionic air purifiers are not effective for large areas

Ionic air purifiers often use no fan or a very low speed fan.

Consider a quick comparison.

While I’m no fan of CADR ratings, they sometimes prove useful.

The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze had a CADR rating of about 20. The 3M Ultra Clean air purifier, has a CADR rating about 13 times greater than the Ionic Breeze.

Similar comparisons can be made with any electronic air purifier versus a HEPA filter air purifier yet the typical ionic air purifier review isn’t going to inform you of this weak performance.

Bottom Line: Ionic air purifiers are ineffective for areas larger than a bathroom.

Electrostatic precipitators have no effect on gases

So if you are concerned at all hundreds of chemicals in cigarette smoke or any other odor or chemical pollutant you need to look elsewhere.

Bottom Line: No ionic air purifier will protect you from chemicals.

Ionic air purifiers expose you to dangerous ozone

Ozone has numerous effects, none of them healthful. Initially it can seem to give a sensation of clean in the air, because ozone has that after-the-rainstorm odor.

Unfortunately ozone deadens your sense of smell while simultaneously increasing your sensitization to allergens. Thus allergic persons have even more severe reactions in the presence of ozone.

In sufficient quantities it can cause death.

Studies show that it reacts with fragrances, air fresheners and cleaning products to produce ultra-fine particulates with cancer causing properties.

Bottom Line: Ionic air cleaners pollute your air with dangerous ozone.

Ionic air purifier prices don’t reflect quality

Likewise, ozone dangers are not necessarily less in a pricier model. Even those claiming to have some kind of “ozone guard”.

It seems the basis for price is simply what the market will bear for the promise of clean air and a fancy, sleek design.

Final Analysis of Ionic Air Purifiers

Electrostatic precipitator air purifiers have built their reputation on promises of quiet operation and low, filter free maintenance. A careful comparison reveals that silence is the only thing they have going for them.

Unfortunately, silence about their glaring faults keeps unwary customers buying these air purifiers by the millions.

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The Air Quality Expert’s Guide To Energy Efficient Air Purifiers

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“Can you recommend any energy efficient air purifiers?”

Sabrina from Seattle

Let’s face it. Air purifiers are meant to be operated 24/7. After all, you breathe 24/7. And you want that air to be the cleanest it can be, right?

But running an air purifier perpetually is going to burn some electricity.

Fortunately, even if you get a big honkin’ behemoth like the IQAir HealthPro Plus your power usage may be as low as 85 watts.

Or it could be as high as 215 watts. It all depends on the fan setting. Power consumption is totally up to you depending on how much air cleaning you need at the moment.

However, there are a few energy efficient air purifiers that have earned an Energy Star Certification for keeping electric use low.

So whether you’re thinking about the environment or your pocketbook you do have some good choices in quality air filtration.

However, don’t make this newby mistake…

Energy Star Certification by itself is no indicator of how energy efficient an air purifier may be.

Consider two air purifiers with similar Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR), the Sharp FP-A28U and the BlueAir ECO10.

Both have an Energy Star Certification, but the Sharp air purifier just barely makes the standard with a CADR per Watt rating of 2, the barest minimum required performance.

On the other hand, the BlueAir ECO10 has a CADR/Watt rating of 19.66, almost ten times more efficient than the Sharp model. In fact the BlueAir ECO10 is the most energy efficient air purifier on the market.

But BlueAir gets absolutely no extra recognition for this performance.

Obviously, with actual efficiency ratings spread across a broad range, you need to dig a little deeper to discover the real performance numbers.

And don’t make this mistake either…

Energy Star Certification is not an indicator of quality, suitability or safety. Read this because you could expose yourself to real physical harm.

Energy Star Certifications are determined by comparing electric use to the AHAM CADR rating.

CADR ratings are fundamentally flawed.

CADR does not take into consideration serious health concerns such as ozone production.

CADR does not rate chemical and odor removal.

CADR only rates removal of particulates of a certain size range, not the sizes most harmful to health, but those easiest to remove.

CADR is a short duration test. Many ionic air purifiers post good numbers but would rate extremely poorly on a long duration test.

Here is a hypothetical scenario…

You purchase an energy efficient ionic air purifier with an Energy Star Certification. It received this because its performance on a short term test met the standard.

However, within three days it’s only cleaning at 20% of its rated CADR due to plate loading.

Within a week it’s essentially useless but still burning electricity. This is why regular maintenance cleaning is an absolute must.

But it gets worse…

This same ionic air purifier is producing ozone, a tissue damaging lung irritant.

Elevated ozone levels are proven to induce asthma attacks, heart attacks and stroke. It also increases allergy sensitivity because of respiratory irritation.

And it gets worse still…

Ozone also reacts with volatile organic compounds and micro particulates in the air, resulting in ultrafine particulates that reach deep into the lungs and even pass into the bloodstream.

Some of these byproducts are known to be toxic and carcinogenic.

Your ionic air purifier not only doesn’t remove them, it is the cause of them.

Yet this questionable device is rated acceptable under the CADR test and gets an Energy Star Certification as an energy efficient air purifier.

And just one more thing…

There are air purifiers that would rate as energy efficient, but their manufacturers refuse to submit them to the test based on principle.

Take IQAir and AllerAir for example.

Both of these companies are among the best air purifier manufacturers in the world and oppose the CADR test because of serious flaws in its design.

They argue quite correctly that this self regulating industry has put together a weak test that utterly fails to address serious issues while allowing almost any participant to receive good ratings.

Thus, they refuse to grant it any semblance of credibility by submitting their air purifiers to it.

But no CADR rating means no Energy Star Certification.

Recommended Energy Efficient Air Purifiers

There are no easy answers. Energy Star Certification by itself is not an adequate guide.

The bottom line is you need to break out the calculator and crunch some numbers to see if an air purifier meets your expectations.

While energy efficiency is definitely a reasonable expectation I recommend you not sacrifice air cleaning performance solely in the name of efficiency.

Such may well be a case of “penny wise, pound foolish”.

Energy efficiency concerns should be kept second to your primary concern for healthy air. Once you have a short list of air purifiers that will work for your situation, only then should you compare their energy use.

Don’t prevent yourself from getting the results you need because of a few Watts.

That being said, I do recommend a number of energy efficient air purifiers that also meet high standards of air cleaning performance.

You may wish to consider any of the following Energy Star Certified air purifiers:

  • BlueAir air purifiers
  • Alen air purifiers

The Allerair 4000 Exec Air Purifier

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Carefully designed and engineered, every element of the AllerAir 4000 exec air purifier is created to maximize the efficiency of the air purification process.

Please allow me to show you the highlights of an air purifier I have found to be an exceptional value and capable of protecting you from all pollutant types: biological, particle, and chemical.

The Most Activated Carbon

Regardless of how much money you have in your budget for an air purifier, AllerAir air purifiers provide the most activated carbon for chemical and odor removal. The Allerair 4000 exec air purifier includes 12 pounds of activated carbon.

Economical and Long Lasting HEPA Filter

The method used to manufacture the HEPA media is what is known as “warm rolled”. This prevents cracks from forming in the brittle HEPA media, cracks that allow pollutants into your air.

Allerair installs separators between the pleats of the HEPA media to maintain proper spacing and allow for maximum airflow and top performance over the life of the filter. Many competitors ignore this important design element, significantly reducing the effectiveness of their unit. Without evenly spaced separators, the air will tend to flow through one part of the filter, reducing its life and effectiveness.

Unlike air cleaners that incorporate numerous filter elements in a single cartridge Allerair separates the HEPA and carbon filters to allow for individual replacement. This saves the cost of unnecessarily replacing one filter simply because the other is exhausted.

You also save due to the long life expectancy of the filters. The HEPA filter is expected to last 5 years under normal home use and the carbon filter 2 to 3 years. Only the pre-filters require regular replacement every 3 months, and these can be vacuumed and reused.

You can also save by replacing the carbon in the refillable carbon filter canister instead of purchasing a complete new filter. Allerair supplies its many carbon blends in bulk, to allow you to refill your air purifier as needed. The procedure is simple and fully described in your owner’s manual. This approach by Allerair ensures you have the least long-term operational costs.

Cylindrical Shape and Durable Metal Housing

The Allerair 4000 Exec air purifier has a durable all metal housing that will never expose you to off-gassing plastic vapors like the many cheap air purifiers that are all plastic in their construction. The baked on enamel finish prevents the paint on the unit from off-gassing, a problem that many other purifiers fail to address.

The cylindrical shape maximizes filtration of your air by providing optimal airflow. Air enters your purifier vertically from the bottom and exits horizontally from the top. This avoids mixing of already cleaned air back into your purifier and extends its effective range.

Glue-less Felt Gaskets

Most other air purifiers use glued rubber gaskets that give off odors and vapors. Internal components are sealed with glue-less felt gasket that protects you from the odor and volatile organic compounds that off gas from the glued rubber gaskets found in most other air cleaners.

Anti-Microbial Filter Wraps

These are used to prevent the growth of bacteria on the filters. Because air purifiers can trap microbes in the media they sometimes become a breeding ground for potentially harmful pathogens. The Allerair 4000 Exec air purifier includes two anti-microbial filter wraps. This suppresses any microbe growth and ensures that your air purifier will always protect your health.

UV and Photocatalytic Options

UV light is a viable method to control microbial growth (bacteria, viruses, and mold). It is an available option as an additional layer of protection in the Allerair 4000 Exec UV air purifier.

The added 10 Watt ultraviolet lamp sterilizes airborne antigens and pathogens. The Allerair UV option is your perfect air purification choice for anywhere bacteria or mold may be a problem.

Allerair’s proven carbon and HEPA filtration system can also be enhanced by photocatalytic technology. Using UV light with a special catalyst, titanium dioxide, this is able to destroy volatile organic compounds, hazardous chemicals and harsh odors. It is ideal for the treatment of heavy airborne toxins and particles in smaller spaces, and is an excellent addition to a smoking area purifier.

The Allerair 4000 Vocarb Air Purifier

Perfect for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and ammonia. The 12 lbs. MAC-B carbon filter is impregnated with special compounds designed for specific VOC problems.

Particles as small as 0.3 micron are trapped by the Micro-HEPA filter. This indoor air purifier features a powerful, five-stage filtration system to eliminate airborne particles as well as VOCs and odors.

It’s cylindrical shape maximizes air flow for efficient air cleaning in rooms up to 1200 sq.ft., while casters provide for easy maneuverability. Two colors to choose from, smart design, quiet fan system, low price and maintenance cost are factors to consider when choosing an Allerair 4000 Vocarb air purifier.

The Allerair 4000 Vocarb UV air purifier includes a 10 Watt ultraviolet lamp to sterilize airborne antigens and pathogens to the the Vocarb model. A photocatalytic option is also available with this air purifier.

The Allerair AirMedic Air Purifier

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The Allerair AirMedic air purifier offers the benefit of superior particle control with 360 air intake, medical-grade HEPA filters and an 18 lb. carbon filter for chemicals, gases and odors.

Delivering up to 225 cfm of airflow, these units can quickly clean a room or office providing a consistent and fast flow of clean, pure, breathable air.

Perfect for allergy or asthma sufferers, the AirMedic is AllerAirs most efficient air purifier for filtering pollen, dust, pet dander and other irritating airborne particles.

Allerair offers two versions of this model, the Airmedic and Airmedic+. The Airmedic+ comes with several ugrades such as a variable speed motor as opposed to the three speed motor of the Airmedic. The AirMedic+ is engineered with a sealed motor so that there is absolutely no by-pass, meaning the unit is so tightly sealed that all the air is cleaned on the very first pass. Only the Airmedic+ offers the option of adding a UV sterilizer and additional photocatalytic option.

Features of the Allerair AirMedic Air Purifier

  • Medical-grade True HEPA Filter: Removes 99.97% of all airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns including bacteria and viruses. Allerair Airmedic filters meet the North American DOP and European EN1822 standards for a true medical grade HEPA filter. These filters have been independently tested and found to remove as much as 99% of particles as small as .01 micron, smaller than a virus!
  • The method used to manufacture the HEPA media in Allerair air purifiers is what is known as warm rolled. This prevents cracks from forming in the HEPA media, cracks that allow pollutants into your air. Allerair installs separators between the pleats of the filter to maintain proper spacing and allow for maximum airflow over the life of the filter.
  • 2″ deep-bedded Carbon Filter: The Allerair AirMedic’s 18 pounds of EXEC blend Mass Activated Carbon (MAC-B) adsorb thousands of chemicals, gases and odors. Why buy an “air purifier” with only a few token ounces of carbon sprayed on a mesh? The Allerair AirMedic will make a real difference in your home’s comfort by removing thousands of chemicals, gases and odors that can cause health problems for you and your family.
  • Pro-dense Pre-Filter: Captures large particles and helps pro-long the life of the HEPA and carbon filters. (Two pre-filters available: prodense poly pre-filter for white and sandstone models, and prodense pre-filter lined with carbon for the black model.)
  • Youll find that it is very easy to change, taking only a few seconds once every 3 months. Pre-filters come in packs of four, covering one year of operation. Of course, you can also vacuum your pre-filters clean and then reuse them, too.
  • 2 Antimicrobial Wraps: Because air purifiers can trap microbes in the media they sometimes become a breeding ground for potentially harmful microbes. The Allerair AirMedic includes two anti-microbial wraps, located on either side of the carbon filter, that help prevent dust and microbes from building up on the carbon filter. This ensures that your air purifier will always protect your health.
  • Improved 360 Air Intake: Engineered for particulate filtration, it efficiently cleans a room up to 1125 square feet.
  • This 360 airflow design is ideal for filtering particles since they tend to be suspended higher up in the air. Allerair’s 5000 series have air intakes on the bottom of the unit, which is ideal for chemicals since as heavy molecules they tend to be lower in the air, and not so readily held aloft by air currents.
  • Reduced Noise: Perforated holes covering the slotted air passages results in a quieter operation.
  • All Metal Housing: Is durability and safe, nontoxic construction important to you? The Allerair AirMedic’s all-metal housing prevents dangerous off-gassing and the cylindrical shape maximizes airflow. Absolutely no neoprene, rubber or Styrofoam is ever used.
  • Long-life HEPA and Carbon Filters: Allerair separates the HEPA and carbon filters to allow for individual replacement. You save the cost of replacing both filters when only one is used.
  • You also save due to the long life of your filters. Your HEPA filter is expected to last from four to eight years under normal home use. The activated carbon filter is expected to last from two to three years. Allerairs approach to filter life and replacement gives you the lowest long-term costs of any quality air purifier manufacturer.
  • Colors: Sandstone, Black and White.
  • The Allerair Warranty: The Allerair AirMedic air purifier comes with one of the best warranties available. All parts are covered for ten full years and labor for five.

Will you benefit from the AirMedic? When is the best time for you to begin breathing clean air?

The AirMedic air purifiers are AllerAirs most efficient units for filtering dust, pollen, pet dander and other irritating airborne particles. The AirMedic+ is a step-up offering variable controls and exceptional particulate removal certified by an independent D.O.P test. I highly recommend the AirMedic series as the preferred air purifier if your concern is removal of particulates.

If you feel you and your family deserve the health and comfort of breathing clean, pure air when would be the best time to start?

Why not make a positive decision to invest in the health and well-being of your family and choose the Allerair Airmedic? The best source online is AllergyBuyersClub.com

The Allerair AirTube Air Purifier

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A Portable Air Purifier Great For Travel

I’d like to introduce the Allerair AirTube air purifier. I believe it to be the very best portable travel air cleaner available. The AirTube or one of its companion models, the smaller Air Tube Jr. or larger AirTube Supreme, can easily travel with you to serve as a hotel room air cleaner.

Small enough to be used as a desktop air cleaner they can also serve as your personal air purifier for the office, studio, small cottage, or bedroom when visiting friends and family.

Why the need for a travel air purifier?

The need for a portable travel air purifier is one my wife and I understand all too well. As a sufferer of severe allergies, asthma, and multiple chemical sensitivities her ability to travel is limited. Even visiting friends and family can be difficult.

From time to time we have been able to make trips to Philadelphia where we stay at the Sheraton Rittenhouse. As the first hotel in America designed with the necessity of providing a toxin free environment in mind, we’ve both found it to be a great place to stay. My own allergies are not so bad, but even I seem to feel rejuvenated when staying there.

Of course, one hotel in one city doesn’t afford the opportunity to get around much. As sufferers of allergies and asthma can attest, a lot of the fun can be sapped from any vacation by unwelcome allergy symptoms.

You may have the best air purifier in the world back home to protect you from exposure to chemicals and allergens but how easy is it to lug around when you vacation or visit family?

Enter the AirTube series portable air purifier for travel. All three models, the AirTube, AirTube Jr., and AirTube Supreme possess the qualities of the very best room air cleaners money can buy, only in a smaller, more portable package.

The Allerair AirTube Air Purifier

If you are going to invest your money in an air purifier, you deserve one that works. This is true whether you are at home or on the road. Portability should not come at the expense of effectiveness. Allerair knows how to design an air purifier that delivers big results even when the package is small.

The Allerair AirTube is built to remove as many pollutants as possible without adding chemicals back into your environment.

The Allerair AirTube includes a medical grade HEPA filter capable of trapping 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 micron, or about one three-hundredth the width of a human hair. Larger particles are caught by a prefilter that helps extend the life of the HEPA filter.

Seven pounds of Allerair’s Mass Activated Carbon Exec blend adsorb the widest range of airborne chemicals, gases, and odors, including volatile organic compounds. There are also custom carbon blends available like Allerair’s Vocarb blend, specially formulated for superior removal of VOCs.

The Air Tube’s all metal cylindrical construction provides you with durability and maximum airflow while not exposing you to the VOCs that can outgas from plastic, cheap air purifiers. A variable speed motor allows you to switch from higher airflow volume for initial cleaning of room air to whisper quiet operation.

Additionally, a UV light option is also available to destroy any microbes small enough to escape capture by the filter system. It is very portable, weighing in at a mere 18 pounds. Recommended for rooms up to 400 sq. ft.

The Allerair AirTube Jr. Air Purifier

The Allerair AirTube Jr., a smaller travel air purifier can easily serve as a personal desktop air cleaner for an office, cubicle, baby’s room, or other small room where better air quality is desired.

It shares much in common with the larger AirTube as an effective solution for smaller spaces as large as 200 sq. ft. It is even easier to take on the go, weighing in at only 14 pounds.

The AirTube Jr. includes a Micro-HEPA air filter wrap to trap airborne particles and four pounds of the same activated carbon blend offered in the larger AirTube. Custom blends are also available with this model.

With durable all metal construction it will hold up to years of use. A variable speed motor allows whisper quiet operation while the cylindrical shape provides for maximum airflow.

The Allerair AirTube Supreme

The AirTube Supreme is the latest addition to the AirTube series. It is Allerair’s most powerful compact air purifier for dealing with air quality problems in localized spaces.

It offers the same all-metal construction as the other AirTubes as well as a medical grade HEPA filter. However, it has a whopping ten pounds of Allerair’s MAC-B carbon in a one inch deep bed.

Weighing in at 22 pounds it remains a portable air purifier that you can readily move from room to room or even take on vacation. Maximum coverage area is 500 sq. ft.

If you’re looking for a portable travel air purifier, a desktop air cleaner for the office, or portable HEPA room air cleaner for any reason, there is no better air cleaner recommendation than the Allerair AirTube, AirTube Jr., and AirTube Supreme.

Top activated carbon air cleaner manufacturers and best vendor

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If you want the best activated carbon air cleaner for your home, there are only four on the current market worthy of consideration: Allerair, Austin Air, BlueAir, and IQAir.

Each of these companies understands that a large quantity of activated carbon is essential for proper gas and odor control performance. You will not find any others that include the same level of activated carbon or make available specially impregnated blends to ensure best performance.

The best online vendor for air purifiers is AllergyBuyersClub.com. They also understand air purification fully and do not represent any products that are inferior or questionable in any way. This is really the first principal of customer service – To sell only what will meet the customers expectations.

To learn more about activated carbon for air purification view these additional articles:

  • Why is activated carbon filtration essential in your air purifier?
  • Choosing activated carbon filters | How to evaluate air purifier quality
  • The activated carbon filter pad in multistage air purifiers isnt good enough
  • Activated carbon for odor control in your home

Activated carbon air cleaners by IQAir

IQAir is a new entrant into the home air purifier market place from Switzerland. The company is in the hospital clean room business.

Iqair’s Healthpro Plus covers up to 900 sq. ft. and features a gas filter element with 6 lbs of activated carbon to reduce odors and gases. Each air filter can be changed independently. All the filters stack up modular fashion and can be changed in about 3 minutes without tools. You should replace the activated carbon filter every 10-21 months. IQAir guarantees this air purifier in the United States for 5 years. Filters are, as consumables, exempt from this warranty.

IQAir’s Gas Control Series air filters have 11 to 13 pounds of activated carbon. There are four models: The IQAir GC Multigas Air Purifier, IQAir GC Chemisorber Air Purifier, IQAir GC VOC Air Purifier, and IQAir GC AM Air Purifier. The IQAir GC Series air purifier models each contain four gas filter cartridges that provide a specific type of gas, chemical, or VOC control. All of the IQAir air purifiers for gas control have controls for monitoring each filter’s useful life. Filters need to be changed every 12 to 30 months. No tools are required to change filters. IQAir guarantees these air purifiers in normal household use for 1 year in the United States. Filters are, as consumables, exempt from this warranty.

Activated carbon air cleaners by Allerair

Allerair provides you with the best air purification on a cost for performance basis. Due to his wife’s multiple chemical sensitivities, Sam Teitelbaum and his partner Wayne Martin decided to develop their own air purifier. That effort resulted in their founding Allerair with a commitment to provide the most effective and cost efficient air purification available.

What sets Allerair apart is it’s founder’s personal experience with poor air quality affecting his family’s health; it’s commitment to innovation and quality; it’s specialized knowledge of indoor air quality issues; it’s goal to design and offer safe, high quality and well priced air cleaning equipment. From reducing a child’s allergy symptoms to containing infectious disease to large-scale disaster restoration, Allerair is the best air purifier manufacturer for cost effective air purification.

Allerair has developed well over one hundred air purifier models, more than any other air purifier manufacturer in the world. Combined with over forty different specialized blends of activated carbon, Allerair is equipped to provide you with any air cleaning solution imaginable.

Allerair’s residential activated carbon air cleaners offer activated carbon filters with four to forty-eight pounds of activated carbon. They are typically designed for large areas up to 1800 sq. ft. or whole house use. Activated carbon filter life is as long as 3 years. All filters are easy to change without tools. There is even the option of replacing the carbon in bulk as opposed to a filter cartridge. All units are simple and no nonsense in design and operation. They come with a five year warranty.

Activated carbon air cleaners by Blueair

Blueair is a Swedish company that manufactures air purifiers combining ionizer, electrostatic, activated carbon and HEPA filter technologies. Even with the ionizer and electrostatic components their purifiers emit no external ozone. They are noted for their very quiet operation.

The Blueair air purifiers are available with HEPASilent particle filters or HEPASilent/Carbon filters that are a combined HEPA and activated carbon filter for smoke, odor, gas and VOC control. They utilize 5.3 pounds of activated carbon impregnated with several chemisorbers for improved purification. Filter replacement is recommended every six months and is very easy to do. The activated carbon air cleaners by Blueair are effective for areas up to 679 sq. ft. They carry a 10-year warranty on all models except the Blueair 201 that has 5 years.

Activated carbon air cleaners by Austin Air

Austin Air manufactures good economy priced HEPA air purifiers that also provide VOC, gas and odor removal. Austin Air air purifiers concentrate on the essentials of air cleaning and are not loaded with fancy features.

Austin Air’s air purifiers use activated carbon-zeolite air filters weighing from 6.5 to 15 pounds. Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral that has gas adsorption properties similar to activated carbon and is often used in economy air purifiers.

The Plus models include impregnation with potassium iodide enabling these air purifiers to better remove volatile organic chemicals and chemically reactive gases such as ammonia, bleaching solutions, ethylene, formaldehyde and paint smells. All filters are rated to last five years.

Austin Air also offers a unique air purification technology they call HEGA, for High Efficiency Gas Adsorption. HEGA combines the gas trapping ability of military activated carbon cloth for smoke, smog and fumes from city environments with HEPA particle filtration. This military activated carbon cloth is lightweight and used to protect military personnel from toxic poisons.

Austin Air air purifiers cover 350 to 1500 sq. ft. Austin air purifiers replacement filter costs are low, which means less annual maintenance cost. Austin Air offers a 5-year prorated warranty for normal home use and includes a permanent pre-filter you can vacuum clean.