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Healthy Living Air Purifier Review

April 3, 2021 by john

OVERVIEW

I have such mixed feelings about Healthy Living Air Purifiers which is also branded as Ecoquest , Vollara , and Alpine Air. This air purifier design, and company, has had nine lives. There are some dangers in ozone, although they work very well to clean the air for two specific areas of air purification. It’s now sold under the name Vollara. It has been a Network Marketing product in each incarnation. I originally knew it back in 1985 as Alpine Air Purifier, and I owned one.

If you’re wondering why it changed company names so frequently it’s because of the very problems they had with the government over Ozone dangers. They also made outradgeous claims about what their air purifiers could do for health conditions. The recent selling of Healthy Living Air Purifier to Vollara (anotehr MLM Company) was financial. The earlier name changes allowed them to stay in business when the lung problems from ozone started to become public. High levels of ozone can harm lungs. For an explanation of Ozone watch the video further down.

You’ll also find a review of the Ecoquest Flair Air Purifiers here.

Ozone Pros, Cons and Dangers

What Ozone Can Do

There is something I have always appreciated about Ozone. It can kill mold, smoke, and odor fast. I’d say better than anything. However it barely does a thing for dust or pollen. I use it effectively for mold problems, stale air, odors, and when I wanted to “shock treat” a room. But I leave the room , sometimes the house, when I use it. I don’t recommend the Healthy Living Air Purifier as an everyday air purifier because the ozone can harm lungs as I mentioned. For my day-to-day, 24/7 needs I use an air purifer that uses negative ions, carbon and HEPA to remove dust.

SHOCK TREATMENT WITH OZONE: Here’s how I have used this Air Purifier : Every week or so I crank it up and leave it on in a room for several hours. Then I shut it off, open the door (or windows) and let the remaining ozone dissipate for several hours before I go back in. i like doing this to my bedroom, bathroom and on an occasion when I have a mold or odor problem (kitchen, garage, or basement).

Pros and Cons

Pros

1 – Best Mold Killer Available

2 – Good for cleaning smoke

3 – A way to “dis-infect” or purify a room

Cons

1 – MLM makes the cost high

2 – Ozone is a problem for asthmatics

3 – VOLLARA DOES NOT HONOR the Healthy Living Air Purifier WARRANTY

5 – Loud on High, low air flow

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies: (out of of 10) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 2

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 54. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 9

5. Longevity/Quality 8

6. Noise Levels 5

7. Ease of Use 10

8. Warranty 0

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) 4

10. Price Value 3

Score: 47 = Fair

Healthy Living Air Purifier Comparisons

Conclusion

If you have a mold problem, or a smoke problem, then it would be something to own. Just don’t be in the room when you use it. It’s not, in my opinion, a good everyday air purifier.

If you have a pollen, dust, or allergy problem then get a machine that includes HEPA and forget about this model.

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

Best Ionic Air Purifiers and their Dangers

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

To determine which are the Best Ionic Air Purifiers we’ve assembled video reviews, consumer reviews, particle tests and technical information to help you be an informed consumer. But we begin our discussion with an overview of defining what an ionic air purifier is, what it’s good for, not good for, plus a revealing look at some of the health risks that some of them create for the lungs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Many people now categorize all air purifiers as ionic air purifiers or as ionizers – however ionic is really just one of ten types of air purifier. To review all ten types watch the video on the home page which demonstrated all 10. The video below provides an overview of the ionic or ionizer air purifier

What Is an Ionic Air Purifier ?

Ionic Air Purifiers are also called ” electrostatic air purifiers “or simply ” ionizers “. Any variations of these names are basically the same technology – which is electrically charged plates or grids that can attract and kill some particles/molecules in the air.

Is Ionic for you? It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Ionic air purifiers are the most inexpensive to make, and hence most inexpensive to buy and maintain. But ionic purifiers are not considered the best.

Dangers of Ionic Air Purifiers – Ozone

The video below explains how many of the best ionic air purifiers unintentionally create dangerous ozone, which can harm lungs and airways. It also explains how machines like the Ionic Breeze were removed from the market for this reason.

Pros & Cons of Ionic

Pros

1 – Inexpensive

2 – No replacement filters – washable

3 – Destroys odors, kills smoke and some pollution.

4 – Energy efficient

Cons

1 – No Hepa (Best for allergies)

2 – Creates ozone (harmful for sensitive lungs)

3 – Does not help with germs, bacteria, viruses

4 – Not effective for pollen or dust

10 Best Ionic Air Purifiers

You actually don’t find as many ionic air purifiers as others, either because they are not considered very good for allergies or particle removal, or because of the ozone problem. Some of these models cannot be sold in Califo0rnia due to the new ozone laws there.

1 – Oreck XL Air Purifier (video review below)

2 – Friedrich electrostatic air purifier (video review below)

3 – Ionic Breeze Air Purifier (removed from the market)

4 – Ionic Pro

5 – Light Air purfier

6 – Hamilton Beach Ionic Tower

7 – Five Star Ionizer

8 – Bell & Howell Ionic Whisper

9 – Surround Air Ionic Air Purifier

10 – 3Q electrostatic Ionic Air Purifier

Here are some of these models reviewed in VIDEO. Pay particular attention to the particle test on a big ionic air purifier showing how the particle count is high.

Oreck XL Air Purifier

Friedrich Electrostatic Ionic Air Purifier

Conclusion

In the particle test of the Friedrich above you learned that the ionic air purifiers are not the best for removing particles from the air. So if your problem is allergies to dust or pollen you’ll want something with HEPA.

If you’re problem is primarily smoke or odors then an inexpensive ionic air purifier would be a good value. To see how the ionic air purifiers compare to other types of air purifiers see the comparison chart via the link below.

Best Ionic Air Purifiers Compared To Others

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

Air Purifier Scam

April 3, 2021 by john

Scams??

Perhaps “sneaky marketing” is a more fitting word.

Here is a list of some of the deceptive practices in the industry:

Scam #1 Overpriced Replacement HEPA filters

HEPA is a cloth-like filter which captures dust, dirt and pollen. These filters last on average about 6-9 months with steady use. they vary in size and price. No other technology really helps pollen or dust like HEPA.

The SCAM = The problem is that once you’ve paid for the air purifier and go to buy a new replacement – GOTCHA!.The company can charge you whatever they want. Here are just 2 examples of replacement filter costs in popular models that seem a bit inflated:

Honeywell 50250 = 

IQAIR = 

Scam #2: Limited Warranties

Warranties can vary so greatly that you need to read the details and look for a good 5 year warranty, along with a 30 (ideally 60 or more) day no questions asked money-back guarantee.

The SCAM = Warranties can actually make profit for many air purifier companies. EX: The Oreck Air Purifier is pro-rated – in a short period of time you’ll have to pay a percentage that actually makes the Oreck company money because the manufacturing costs them very little..

It reminds me of the days when American cars would not make it to 100,000 miles. Some said that it was to sell parts by breaking down as planned. Otehrs said that because the Japanses cars would last longer that American cars had to improve.

Scam #3: Claims that HEPA will work on mold and viruses.

You’ll find many Companies saying that HEPA will help mold and kill germs.

The SCAM = HEPA filters will capture some of the mold spores but will not kill mold on the walls. Those mold spores inside the HEPA can then spread. Look to include an air purifier with either UV light or electrostatic will kill mold inside and on the walls.

As for germs and bacteria – HEPA will not treat those in a room. If the HEPA is specially treated (and some are) with anti-bacterial chemicals then it will kill bacteria and germs inide the HEPA filter, but will not generally kill it anywhere else.

Scam #4 Claims That Electrostatic Ionizers Will Capture Dust and Pollen

You’ll find many Companies saying that Electrostatic will grab dust and pollen.

The SCAM Electrostatic plates and grids are positive and negatively charged electrical surfaces that will attract some particles like a magnet. Then you wash them off. And while it will capture some dust by it’s “static” charge, most pollen and dust doesn’t have a lot of charge. You need HEPA for grabbing most of the pollen and dust.

If electrostatic (Oreck’s Truman Cells are an example) really worked there would be no need for HEPA.

Scam #5 Never Have To Change The Filter???

Some models claim you never have to change the filters. That would be great, if it worked

The SCAM Washable electrostatic and pre-filters will gather some particles in the air, just not like HEPA. Also the washable “hepa-like” filters are made of foam and don’t adhere particles, or filter particle like “real hepa” filters.

Check out the reviews on this site for real information.

Conclusion

Take the steps to learn the technologies first, find out which filters you need. Figure out your square footage, and then do comparisons. A Comparison chart and video on the technologies can be found below.

Filed Under: Air Purifier Advice, Top

Air Purifier Problems, Scams, and Complaints

April 3, 2021 by john

A more recent list of problems:

1) Overpriced replacement filters

2) “Washable” filters that do not deliver results

3) Loud Air Purifier Fan Motors

4) Does not remove dust or pollen as promised

5) Air Purifier Limited Warranty Scams

6) Poor Customer Service

More problems listed below…

CADR Ratings For Air Purifiers Fails To Address Needs

Many air purification companies actively publicize and market their cleaners based predominately or sometimes almost exclusively on their Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) numbers. Others skip CADR data since many additional technologies that are different (and for many issues – better) than those associated with air flow alone, make the CADR number, at best, Irrelevant and at worse, Misleading.

CADR Does Not Factor Germs, Bacteria, Mold, Mildew, Fumes, Odors, etc.

The CADR is basically only a measure of how rapidly air is circulated through a given air filtering device. While this figure is perhaps relevant for the vast majority of filtration-only devices that attempt to clean air using only one or two types of filters, it’s 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 nor 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 the overwhelming majority of competing products out there are simply air “filters” that don’t use anywhere near the number of additional “purification” technologies available, e.g., UV light, TiO2, activated charcoal, negative ionization, etc.

How to Easily Manipulate CADR Numbers

The fact is, if a manufacturer wanted to market their purifier just according to the CADR numbers, one could 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 in order 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.

The Politics of CADR

I was doing some consulting for a company who asked me about CADR and how to use these readings. It turns out that the AHAM organization (American Home Appliance Manufacturers), a political lobby group, is the organization that does the testing and certification behind CADR. It costs an air purifier company 10,000 per year to be able to use CADR in their manual or on their website. The AHAM organization represent big companies like Honeywell and Whirlpool to ‘seeemingly’ make sure politicians in Washington support their agenda. (I’m sure there are some good lobby groups but I get a little leary of lobby groups and what they have done to world views of America, to the environment, let alone to consumers. I’ve heard a few stories about AHAM I don’t like).

CADR Conclusions

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

Filed Under: Air Purifier Advice, Top

Best Rated Air Purifier

April 3, 2021 by john

Trying to find the best rated air purifier? A better question is: What is the best air purifier for my needs?

“BEST RATED” DOES NOT EQUAL BEST FOR YOU!

Despite the ratings that one might find on either Amazon or Consumer Reports there is no ” best rated air purifier “, and that is because each individuals problems are different. Some have allergies, and some have pet odor problems which take a different technology. It’s not that the information that magazines like consumer reports offer isn’t valuable, it’s just that they just provide blanket opinions and isolated reviews which have nothing to do with your needs.

A much better approach is to:

1) learn the 10 technologies available

2) calculate the square footage needed, and

3) determine which air purifiers might fit your needs.

At that point read reviews on these models to narrow your search. (NOTE: A complete video guide to finding the right air purifier can be found on the home page)

BEST RATED = SCAM

Unfortunately the term “best rated” is more often used by marketers themselves and websites that sell many brands. In many cases the most profitable air purifiers become the “best rated” models on those sites.

For our purposes here we will be taking a step beyond “best rated” and help you discover “best for my needs”. The video and 4-step process on the home page will help you accomplish this.

The air purifier industry, in my opinion, needs to provide more independent testing and research reports to the public. Even the CADR ratings are based on a political lobby group with a vested interest in the air purifier manufacturers. They do not represent the consumer.

Need for Particle Tests

As a 30 year expert in both air technologies and in the natural health field I’ve been asked for air purifier advice thousands of time. Because allergies are the most frequent problem removing pollen and dust is a primary concern. To remove dust and pollen one will need a HEPA filter which captures and holds these particles. The measure of effectiveness on pollen and dust is best determined by a particle tester. Oddly enough you do not find many particle tests on air purifiers online. If I had one criteria for the best rated air purifier it would start with a solid particle test.

This website features particle tests (VIDEO) on most major air purifier brands. This specially made particle tester measures both microscopic particles (bacteria and microscopic dust) as well as larger particles like dust and pollen. You can access particle tests on most brands by viewing the reviews via the left menu.

Need for Bacteria Tests

Germs and viruses are the second most frequent problem in the air. To remove bacteria, germs and mold one will need either Uv light or Ozone. The measure of effectiveness on bacteria and germs is best determined by a bacteria test.

While to date we have done only a few bacteria tests more are coming thanks to the university and lab we are working with. In cases where companies have done such tests from independent labs we will provide that information. Only a few companies that I know of have done so.

Conclusion

I encourage you to take the steps on the homepage of this website in order to determine the best air purifier for your needs. Start by watching the video guide which covers the 10 air purifier technologies and how to determine square footage (which is more involved than you might think).

Hopefully more air purifier companies will provide more conclusive tests to help people assess what air purifier is truly best for them.

 

Filed Under: Air Purifier Advice, Top

Living Air Purifier Ozone Dangers

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

Even though the Living Air Purifier (also known as the Vollara Air Purifier and/or Ecoquest Air Purifier) work very well in two specific areas of air purification there is a list of downsides. I’ll dive into the ozone dangers along with the pros and cons but first a little bit of company history.

The Living Air Purifier (as sold by Ecoquest) was bought by Vollara. It has been a Multi-level marketing product in each case. I originally knew the Living Air as the Alpine Air Purifier, which i believe was it’s first “incarnation”.

If you’re wondering why it changed ownership so often it is because of the Ozone dangers via the EPA and the Health Department. They (Company and Distributors) also made outrageous claims about health problems their air purifiers claimed to help. The recent switch/buyout of Ecoquest by Vollara may have been financial as well, I’m still investigating that rumor. The name change allowed them to stay in business when the Government agencies brought on the heat. Simply put too much ozone can harm the lungs, and this is an ozone machine. For an explanation of Ozone watch the video below.

You’ll also find a review of the Living Air Purifier here.

Living Air Purifier Video Review

Love and Dangers of Ozone

It’s a love-hate relationship I have with Ozone.

What I love about Ozone is it’s ability to kill mold, mildew and odor. Better than anything out there. What I hate is that it won’t do anything for dust or pollen. So I have used it effectively for mold problems, stale air, odors, and when I wanted to “shock treat” a room.

I never recommend it as an everyday air purifier because the ozone can harm lungs. My day-to-day air purifier runs 24/7 and uses negative ions and HEPA to remove dust, pollen, odor and more. I also tell asthmatics and allergically sensitive people to stand clear of ozone air purifiers of any kind

For “Shock Treatment”

SHOCK TREATMENT WITH OZONE: Here’s how I use my ozone purifier: Every two weeks or so I crank it up and leave it on in a closed room for several hours. Then I open the door (or window) and let the remaining ozone dissipate for several hours before I go back in. I use this for my bedroom, bathroom and on an occasion when I have a mold or odor problem (kitchen, garage, basement, etc.).

Specs and Tech

Pros

1 – Great Mold & Mildew Killer

2 – Good for odor and smoke

3 – Good for “dis-infecting” or purifying a room

Cons

1 – MLM makes the price steep

2 – Ozone is a problem and a danger for asthmatics and allergically sensitive people

3 – NOTE: Living Air does not honor warranties since they were bought out by Vollara

5 – Loud on High

Specifications and Technologies

Living Air Purifier

Retail Price: 725-899

Purification Technologies: 3

Square Footage: 20-3000 SQ. Ft.

Replacement Filter Costs: Ozone Plates 30-60 (1-2 years)

Yearly Costs: 60-80

Decibel Level: (test coming)

Warranty – It was a 3 year warranty which did not cover the plates or bulb maintenance. However, Vollara has canceled warranty coverage on the former company’s products even though they just changed the name.

Number of Speeds – 3

Filters – 2

Conclusion

I like it for mold and treating a room. However I don’t put it ahead of my air purifier with Hepa, UV, negative Ion, Carbon air purifier. I just use it for problem areas and occasional shock treatments of rooms in my home and our offices.

If you’re looking for ozone for mold and odor removal there are now smaller, less-expensive Chinese ozone air purifier models available (some for 100) which will do the same thing. The video below offers some suggestions.

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

Air Purifier With Ionizer Dangers

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

I first bought an ionizer air purifier back in 1978 to help with allergies and asthma. Did it work? No. It irritated my lungs and in a moment you’ll know why. That was long before the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze air purifier made the term Ionic Breeze and “ionizer” synonymous with air purifiers. ionic Breeze was taken off of the market for this very problem. Before you run out and buy one I’d like to clear up many of the misunderstandings between ionizers, ozone, negative ions, and what each can do.

Air Purifier with Ionizer Plates

Many purifiers now use some form of charged washable plates or grids to clean the air. They are also called: “electrostatic”, “electronic”, Truman Cell, “Ionic Breeze” and others using the term “ionic”. An air purifier with ionizer plates work by creating a positive and negative charged across the plates (or grids) to attract dirt and pollution like a magnet. Popular brand names include Oreck XL, Friedrich, and Ionic Breeze.

While they are inexpensive to produce and to maintain (no replacement filters) they however have a downside: since most dust and pollen does not have a strong electrical charge an air purifier with ionizer plates fails to work well for allergies. Some of them can also harm your lungs by producing Ozone. More on that in a moment.

Negative Ionizers

This differs from ionizers in that it only produces the negative side of the charge. However in this case the negative is really positive (It doesn’t produce ozone). Instead of attaching dirt to plates negative ionizers create free-floating negative ions that go out into a room where it can killing odors, clean the air, and creates a healthy effect on the body.

Ozone Air Purifiers

Ozone generators work by taking oxygen (Oxygen is O2 or 2 molecules) and it adds a 3rd oxygen molecule (Ozone is O3). It’s this 3rd molecule that acts like a killer going out into the room to disable mold, smoke and odors. The downside is that too many ozone molecules can irritate sensitive lungs. Popular Ozone Generator Brands include Ecoquest and Living Air (now renamed Vollara).

Pros and Cons of Air Ionizer Purifiers

Pros

1 – Washable plates

2 – They work well for smoke and odor

3 – Inexpensive to Maintain

Cons

1 – Overpriced

2 – Works poorly, if at all, on dust and pollen

3 – May create dangerous Ozone

4- Will not help with viruses, mold, or germs

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 3

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.)1

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 8

5. Longevity/Quality 6

6. Noise Levels 4

7. Ease of Use 10

8. Warranty 3

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) N/A

10. Price Value 4

My Rating Score: 40 = Fair

Conclusion

If you’re going to get an ionizer, stick with “grids” rather than “plates” (like you find in the Oreck) as grids produce less or no ozone.

Are you a smoker? An air purifier with ionizer plates may be a good option if you are a smoker. Here’s why – it clears smoke effectively and you’ll save money because you won’t have the expense of changing HEPA filters (HEPA does not work to remove the smoke fumes, only the tar and nicotine). If you want to get rid of dust and pollen along with smoke then I’d suggest you get an air purifier with electrostatic and HEPA. The electrostatic will help with smoke and extend the life of the HEPA.

The Video Below is one such model that includes electrostatic, HEPA, Carbon, UV (for germs and viruses), Tio2 and negative ions as well.

 

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

Ozone Ionizer Air Purifier Dangers

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

Let’s start by explaining the difference between an ozone ionizer air purifier and an “ionizer purifier”, because they are two different things. I understand there is a lot of confusion amongst consumers about this, and in this article you’ll be learning the difference, and where the controversy started.

Ozone – This is a very unstable substance, which makes it good for cleaning smoke and odors from the air. However it is nothing more than oxygen which is O2 with an added molecule making it O3. So oxygen is 02, while Ozone is O3. Simple right? It’s that extra molecule, created by an electrical process, that can go out into the air and because it has a weak hold on the other 2 molecules it will attach itself and kill things like odors and mold spores.

Ozone Generating Air Purifiers

Brand names like Ecoquest, Alpine and Vollara (which are all different versions of the same company) use Ozone primarily to clean the air. The ozone goes out into the room to clean. These units deliver higher amounts of Ozone.

The danger is that ozone, with the benefit in cleaning the air, is harmful in high amounts because that unstable molecule can attach itself to lung tissue and cause irritation. Many air purifiers cannot be sold in California for this reason (which became more strict in 2011). Make sure the model you are looking for has the California Seal to be safe.

Ecoquest – Ozone Air Purifier Video

Ozone Ionizer Air Purifier

Ionizer – Another way to clean the air (used by popular models like Oreck) uses little washable plates or grids which are electrically charged with positive and negative electricity. This is called an “Ionizer” because it counts on positive and negative “ions”. Like a magnet the plates attract their opposite. Since so many pollutants are positively charged the negative plates make a perfect place for them to attach themselves. Then you simnply wash off the plates or grids. Not very good for dust or pollen they do remove odor and smoke fairly well.

Ionizer Video Explanation

Ozone Ionizer Air Purifier Dangers

This is where things get interesting. Some “Ionizers”, and other air purifiers that use these electrically charged plates or grids, create ozone. So whereas the plates were meant to carry a charge to act like a magnet, the plates were turning some oxygen into Ozone. The famous model for this was the “ionic Breeze” Air Purifier. It was taken off the market (and sharper image crashed and burned because of it) because of high levels of ozone production.

In general the “plate type” of air purifiers (especially those with big plates like the Oreck or the Friedrich”) are truly ozone ionizer air purifiers – they create secondary ozone, although their primary use is the washable plate benefit. The “grid style ( with holes in the washable plates) tends to create little or no ozone. Small ionizers (like the plug in the cigarette lighter negative ionizers) do not tend to produce ozone.

Good Ozone

Ozone, if used properly can be a good thing. I have an ozone generator myself, and I use to for:

1) Treating a room with a moldy smell or chemicals. i turn it on and leave the room until the ozone dissipates (3-4 hours sometimes)

2) Mold. Nothing works better at killing mold than Ozone. Hepa may catch mold spores, but they don’t kill mold.

Conclusion

So you can now see that an ozone ionizer air purifier is different from an ozone generating air purifier. The first creates some ozone, but is more geared toward attracting dirt, odor and pollutants onto it’s charged plates. An Ozone air purifier doesn’t have plates or grids, but simply produces ozone which goes out into the room and destroys odors, smoke and pollutants in the room.

Here’s my suggestion: Unless mold or smoke are your specific problem find an Air Purifier that uses little or no ozone, and that includes an affordable HEPA filter – because HEPA is the best for pollen, dust and allergen removal.

 

Filed Under: Air Purifier Advice, Top

Air Ionizer Purifier Misconceptions

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

Air Ionizer Purifiers have been around quite a few years. And for many people the success of the Sharper Image “Ionic Breeze” (and “negative ionizers”) have become synonymous with air purifiers for many people when they think of cleaning the air. However there are many misconceptions when it comes to the difference between ionizers, negative ions, ozone, ionic and what they do.

Ionizer, Negative Ions, or Ozone?

Air Ionizer Purifiers – These are any air cleaning machine that uses charged particles, or ions, to clean the air. This is most often accomplished by washeable plates which have an electrical charge. Common names include electrostatic, electronic, Truman Cell, Ionic breeze and others. Air ionizer purifiers work by using this “charge” to attract dirt and pollution that often have either a positive or negative charge themselves.

Inexpensive to maintain (and manufacture) they fail to work well for anyone wanting complete particle removal as in allergies and asthma. Some air purifier ionizers can also tend to create a dangerous by product which can be harmful: Ozone. More about that in a moment.

Negative Ion Purifiers – This is different from ionizers. Instead of attracting dirt and pollution to the plates negative ion machines generate free-floating negative ions whch go out into the room, killing odor, disabling some pollution, and creating healthy air. Negative ions are naturally ocurring and needed for healthy air.

Ozone Air Purifiers – Ozone air purifiers work by taking oxygen (which has two molecules) and creating a third oxygen molecule. This third molecule is like a free-radical which leaves the air purifier and goes out into the room – killing mold and odors. It’s great for mold and odor, but too many ozone molecules can irritate or even damage sensitive lungs. Popular Brands are Ecoquest (which is now Vollara air purifiers) and Alpine (which was the original).

Air Ionizer Purifiers Can Create Ozone

The problem with some of the machines that use washable plates (EX; Oreck XL and Ionic Breeze Air Purifier) is that many air purifiers using the charged plate approach can also create ozone, even though they are not trying to. It’s just one of the effects of using charged plates.

Dangers Of Ozone From Air Purifiers

Pros and Cons of Air Ionizer Purifiers

Pros

1 – Inexpensive

2 – They use convenient washable plates

3 – They work well for smoke and odor

4 – Smokers: it will work without hepa filter costs

Cons

1 – Does not do a good job on dust or pollen

2 – May create harmful or irritating Ozone

3 – Does not help with viruses, mold, or germs

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 3

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.)1

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 8

5. Longevity/Quality 6

6. Noise Levels 4

7. Ease of Use 10

8. Warranty 3

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) N/A

10. Price Value 4

Score: 40 = Fair

Conclusion

If you are a smoker, and only want to clear smoke then any Air Ionizer Purifiers might be a good purchase because you can wash the plates. A HEPA Air Purifier will need often replacements because of the tar. If you want to get rid of dust and pollen then you’re going to want a HEPA air Purifier.

Better Alternatives

Here’s a Solution which includes the best of both worlds: The Alive Air Purifier uses 7 technologies:

1) Ionization – with a grid (instead of plates…DOES NOT CREATE OZONE) to clear smoke, and extend the HEPA filter life. It even extends the life of the HEPA

2) Hepa – for removing dust, dirt, and pollen

3) Negative Ions – for healthy Air

4) Carbon – for removing smoke, gases and chemical fumes.

5) A Washable Pre-filter – grabs hair and dust, extending HEPA filter life.

6) UV Light – for killing germs and viruses

7) Tio2 – for killing mold, viruses, bacteria and germs with UV.

 

Filed Under: Air Purifier Advice, Top

Air Ionizer Ozone Purifier Reviews

April 3, 2021 by john

Let me start off by clarifying that there is a big difference between an “Air Ionizer” and an “Ozone Purifier”. They are not the same. However it’s easy to get confused because:

“Several name brand ionizers have been found to generate dangerous ozone levels as a byproduct of their ionization methods”.

After we clarify these technologies and what each can do we’ll review the popular Ionizers and Ozone purifiers on the market. By the end you should be able to determine if they fit the type of air purifier right for your needs. Ionizers and ozone machines are also different in what they help when it comes to air problems.

Here’s the difference:

Air Ionizers – Both positive and negative ions are naturally occurring in nature, and essential to life itself. An air ionizer purifier simply creates more of them. Many air pollutants (cigarette smoke, soot, carbon fumes, etc.) are made of highly charged (+ and -) particles. Inside an ionizer air purifier you’ll often find highly charged flat plates (think “cookie pans”). These plates, charged with positive and negative ions, operate like a magnet – attracting pollution to the surface of the metal.

Ozone – Although Ozone is also naturally occurring ozone is something different than ionization. It is often created by lightning and sometimes you can smell it in the air after a lightning storm. Too much car pollution can also create ozone, and generate Ozone warnings. Oxygen is 02 (two molecules) while Ozone is a rare and very unstable “third molecule” added to an oxygen molecule (O3).

3 Types of Ionizer Air Purifiers

Now let’s review the three types of Ionizer Air Purifiers – plate, grid, and “negative ion only” type.

Plate Style Ionizers

“Plate Style” – The Oreck Air Purifier “Truman Cells” and the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze are two models that use large “plates” to attract smoke and pollution. These plate-style models have a downside however as they can produce ozone. The Ionic Breeze was removed from the market because it produced too much Ozone. These could truly be called an Air Ionizer Ozone Purifier.

Grid Style Ionizers

“Grid Style” – The grid style looks like a large cheese grater with big open holes. This style doesn’t tend to produce ozone like the plate-style. Similar to the plates in that it also uses positive and negative charges to attract pollution.

The grid style and the plate style are both usually washable and both do the same thing.

(The picture below is from the Alive Air Purifier which uses an ionizer grid as 1 of it’s 7 types of purification.)

Negative Ionizers

Negative ionizers, also called negative ion generators, produce negative ions only. Negative ions can kill mold, odor, and some pollution, although they are probably the least effective. These are also the least expensive type of purifiers and are also the one type of purification that actually has a positive effect on tissues in the body.

Negative ions have been researched to assist in breathing problems and in improving brain function. That’s why they have also been called: “Air Vitamins”

Ozone Air Purifiers

Ozone (O3) is very unstable because the third molecule dies fast and easily attaches itself to things. This makes it effective at killing mold, odor and smoke out in a room. In fact for mold killing it is probably the best. However too much ozone can cause damage in lung tissue (hence Ozone alerts which happen in many cities).

Companies like EcoQuest (now called Vollara, before Ecoquest called Alpine or Living Air) market Ozone machines for air purification. They’ve taken a lot of heat from the government (hence the name changes) because of the Ozone Problem.

Because of the air ionizer ozone purifier problem states like California have enacted strict ozone regulations and testing.

Conclusion

A better method for overall air purifying is a combination of HEPA, grid-type ionization, and UV.

 

Filed Under: Air Purifier Advice, Top

Air Purifier Consumer Report Review

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

Before delving into the air purifier reviews of Consumer Reports Magazine and consumerreports.org a little overview of their practices is in order.

Consumer reports is a federal tax exempt non profit (501 3- c) company with over 163 million in revenue and over 5.1 million subscribers, most of which now come from it’s internet subscription service. It has been known for many years, or has claimed, objectivity and accuracy in serving the public. Of course being tax exempt, yet a highly profitable organization, the public pays for both the subscription and the taxes.

Consumer Reports does not accept advertising to maintain their non-profit status as independent reviewers. In today’s day and age I don’t know if non-profits, which do bring in as much money like they do, are in the best interest of the country – given the economic hardships.

On the other hand I have used them over the years to gather info about my choices in cars and electronics. Although today I am more inclined towards the internet and the many free reviews (Amazon, cnet, etc.). The magazine, and online site, is probably a bit dated. Being in the air purifier business I always watch for the Air Purifier Consumer Report Review Issue, although I’ve been mostly disappointed in their reviews and testing. But to be fair they test thousands of items.

 

Air Purifier Rankings

While Consumer Reports Magazine (CRM) and Website (consumerreports.org) was once the #1 name in product reviews they have fallen far behind the online world, replaced by Amazon and other customer review avenues. However I still look to them on occasion when I am buying a product for additional information. I always buy (or go to the library) whenever their air purifier review comes due.

The last Air Purifier Consumer Report Review was several years ago (oddly enough it still had several models that are now considered outdated). If not for the copyright I would post it – but you can find it at the library, or subscribe for 26 online for the year.

Consumer Reports Responds

In both 2003 and 2005 their review made a scathing review of the two top TV air purifiers – the Oreck air purifier and the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze. The Ionic Breeze at the time was the #1 selling model in the world. The problem at the time was Ozone, and the fact that these two models produced enough ozone to be potentially harmful to lungs and airways. They also noted that several leading allergy and asthma foundations were offering both models their “seal of approval”.

Here’s where Sharper Image made a huge mistake. They decided to attack Consumer Reports in court to defend their Ionic Breeze. They should have let it go, because time would have probably let the controversy pass. Although I would add that they did produce high levels of ozone, so perhaps there wasn’t any controversy at all. Sharper Image, and it’s Ionic Breeze lost in Federal Court after the technical aspects were reviewed.

But it didn’t stop there. The Federal Government started looking at the Ozone issue and pretty soon Sharper Image’s ionic Breeze was pulled off the market for health reasons. Sharper Image, dependent on the Ionic Breeze to stay afloat, went bankrupt. So even though the Oreck Air Purifier also produced ozone (in smaller amounts) they escaped the wrath of the government.

Their Questionable Rankings

Most air purifier reviewers have their bias, I do, but many of us with years of experience have been baffled by many really poor models that Consumer Reports has continued to rank high. In fact some of those models, like the Friedrich Air Purifier , produce a lot of ozone – the very thing Consumer Reports rallied against and claim that it doesn’t. Yet it is ranked as the best models (May 2005). Odd. Very odd. (I own the Friedrich and take it apart in my review below. It’s big and ugly as well, more suited for industrial use than in a home)

Other models known for their effective allergy and allergen ability using HEPA filters rank very low. One such model is the IQAIR which, although very expensive, are proven effective for health conditions like asthma. Maybe the price lowered it’s rank, but there are many really, really cheap models ahead of it.

Friedrich – Consumer Reports #1

Because of the ozone problem Consumer Reports actually went to the extreme of ranking air purifiers by ozone levels rather than by true performance in 2005. Their #1 ranked Friedrich C-90A (see my video review below) came in #1 yet you’ll see by my particle test that it doesn’t do a very good job, it’s also expensive at 450, and loud despite their high marks. Plus it’s big and ugly. I just don’t get it?????

Particle Test on Friedrich

Air Purifier Consumer Report Review Comparisons

Conclusion

The more I went through the Air Purifier Consumer Report Review List of models the more problems I found which completely went opposite to the particle tests and decibel tests I have shown in my video reviews. If anyone has any knowledge of why Consumer Reports is so weak in this area please send me an email. I don’t get it!

I was even going to post the list of rankings from the most recent Air Purifier Consumer Report Review but I’m just so dissapointed in their reviews and rankings after the Friedrich (their #1 for unknown reasons) that I decided to go fishing instead…

Filed Under: Air Purifier Advice, Top

Flair Air Purifiers – Reviewed and Tested

April 3, 2021 by john

The Flair Air Purifiers, once popular for its effectiveness in purifying indoor air, are no longer in production.

I recommend considering the COWAY AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier as a worthy replacement.

It has gained a reputation for exceptional performance and advanced features.

For a comprehensive review of the Coway Air Purifier.

In summary, the COWAY Air Purifier is an excellent choice to replace the Ecoquest Air Purifier.

Now Discontinued – Flair Air Purifiers

Overview

The Flair Air Purifiers are one of the Ozone generating line created by Ecoquest and now Vollara. We’re going to take you inside this purifier and also do a particle test on it (see the video below). You may already have the question most do: “Are Ozone air purifiers dangerous?”. We’ll get to the answer on that further down the page after we cover some basics. The Video on Ozone below explains Ozone, what it is, and more of the story behind Ozone.

Many years ago I purchased an Alpine Air Purifier from a friend. I loved how the room felt after using it, and the smell of Ozone in the air. We used it in our home for removing mold and odors. At that time the Alpine Company ( a multi-level company) were in high gear, with many Distributors leaving them in people’s homes to try out. Alpine later became Ecoquest, because the EPA discovered that these air purifiers were producing potentially high levels of Ozone.

There seems to be quite a few repair centers online, which is good because word on the street is that Vollara’s buyout of Ecoquest excludes any warranties of the Ecoquest line.

Stages of Purification

Now let’s take a look at the filters and technology for cleaning the air. The Ecoquest Flair is primarily one technology.

Stage 1 Ozone – Good for odor, smoke, and mold

Pros and Cons

Pros

1 – Great for odor and mold

2 – Good for smoke

3 – 2200 square Foot coverage

Cons

1 – Not effective for dust

2 – Not effective for pollen

3 – Vollara no longer honors Ecoquest Warranty

Specifications and Technologies

Ecoquest Flair Air Purifiers

Retail Price:

Purification Technologies: 1

Square Footage: 2200 SQ. Ft.

Replacement Filter Costs: 50 (plates x 2)

Yearly Costs: 100

Decibel Level: variable (quiet)

Warranty – Was 3 years- no longer any warranty

Number of Speeds – Variable

Filters – 1

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 0

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 2

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 10

5. Longevity/Quality 7

6. Noise Levels 6

7. Ease of Use 10

8. Warranty 0

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) 7

10. Price Value 5

Score: 48 = Fair

Conclusion

If you have a mold problem, smoke problem, or odor problem and this is your primary concern then the Flair will do a good job. If you have a dust, pollen, allergy or asthma condition, then my recommendation is that this is not the model for you.

 

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

Honeywell 50250 Air Purifier Review

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

Did you ever buy something inexpensive, only to find it cost you more later? The Honeywell 50250 air purifier is one of those purchases, costing 200 or less, with replacement HEPA filters costing 70 every 6 months. If you have allergies the HEPA will help, and the prefilter will catch dust and hair, but that’s it.

This model 50250 also uses the name Enviracaire which is a brand name created by Honeywell.

Company History

Honeywell’s 75 years manufacturing air purifiers is longer than any other company I know of. The downside here is that like most large companies, and despite a good reputation, they already have market penetration so the incentive for innovation is gone.

Problems

The design of this model hasn’t changed or been upgraded in 10 years, and there’s where one of the problems comes in. It’s loud. The bearing purifier fan motor is much noisier than the newer brushless motors created over the last 10 years. (see my Decibel test on this model). The older motors also use more electricity so your operating costs will be more.

There are two filters: A very thin Activated Carbon PreFilter – non-washable that needs to be changed, at least, every 3 months under ‘normal’ air quality conditions (no pets/little dust) and the Hepa filter. It has an “Intellicheck” feature that tells you when to change the filter which is time based (It tells you to change it by time, not condition).

Now watch the video review of the Honeywell 50250 air purifier below…

Pro’s and Con’s

Pro’s

1- Inexpensive

2- Easy to find in stores

Con’s

1 – Loud (bearing motor – even low is too loud for sleeping)

2 – Expensive replacement filters

3 – Only helps pollen and dust

4 – Large

5 – A’Blue Light’ that consumers say is ‘too bright’ for sleep

6 – No real VOC, gas, toxin capability

7 – needs to be placed 3 ft from wall

8 – 170 watts on HIGH – not energy efficient at all

Specifications & Technologies

Honeywell 50250

Retail Price: 

Purification Technologies; 2 (Hepa & Carbon)

Square Footage: 300 SQ. Ft.

Replacement Filter Costs: 70-85 Hepa

Yearly Costs; 120

Size and Weight: 18x18x19 – 23 lbs.

Decibel Level: 40 (low)

Pros – Good for Dust, Pollen, Inexpensive

Cons- Not good for germs, Viruses,

Warranty – Limited

Number of Speeds – 3

Filters – Costs, types

Years In Business: 75

Manufactured in: China

Product Summary and Rating: 38

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 2

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 8

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 0

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 0

5. Longevity/Quality 5

6. Noise Levels 1

7. Ease of Use 9

8. Warranty 5

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) 2

10. Price Value 6

Score: 38 = Fair

Conclusion and Suggestion

If you only have  and allergies or asthma help is the only thing you need, then the Honeywell 50250 would be an option. It won’t help with germs, bacteria, viruses or odor.

You’d get a lot more for your money (and save money over a year) by spending more with other models reviewed on this site. The replacement filters are just too overpriced.

 

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

Aireox Air Purifiers

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

When I first examined the Aireox Air Purifiers I was curious as to which approach to air purifying they were going after. Despite their 40 years in the industry I had never heard much about this company. Their specific focus on Chemically Sensitive people explains the technology used.

The Aireox Air Purifiers (of which there are 2 versions) are produced by the Aireox Research Corp which is near me in Riverside, California. There are several instances where this might be a fit for someone needs, however it is generally geared more toward gases (smoke, odor, VOC’s, etc.) than particles as I will explain in detail.

The Aireox 45d model is a small 240 square foot model according to their claims. The Aireox 45b is the same unit but minus one of the filtration methods. Model 22 will be the subject of another review.

Aireox = Chemically Free Product

In making the Aireox Air Purifiers no sealants are used. Sealed motors mean no chemicals, Ozone or oil leaves the unit. All electrical cords and paints are zero-emissions, meaning they have no out-gassing.

This attention to detail highlights the focus of Aireox to serve the chemically sensitive consumer.

Stages of Purification

Stage 1 Carbon absorbs and retains gases, smoke, odors, and fumes. This is a good amount of carbon, which you don’t find in many air purifiers.

Stage 2 1.5 pounds of potassium permanganate. This also absorbs gases and chemicals.

Stage 3 Electrostatic will attract some dust and kill smoke/pollution with positive and negative charges.

NOTE: The Aireox 45b air purifier model is the same as the 45d except uses carbon only instead of mixing in potassium permanganate.

Pro’s and Con’s

Pro’s

1 – Good carbon size absorbs gases and chemical fumes effectively

2 – Quiet

3 – Easy filter changes

Con’s

1 – Expensive replacement filter costs (93)

2 – Frequent filter replacements (6 months)

3 – Sturdy metal frame

4 – While good for gases it is not good for dust, pollen, hair, or other forms of particle removal.

5 – A bit on the expensive side for gas removal only

Specifications and Technologies

Aireox Air Purifiers Model 45d

Retail Price:

Purification Technologies: 3

Square Footage: 240 SQ. Ft.

Replacement Filter Costs: 90-100

Yearly Costs:180

Decibel Level: 28 on low ( by my tests)

Warranty – 5 year on motor.

Number of Speeds – 2

Filters – 3

Years In Business: 40+

Size – 14 x10 inches makes it a small unit.

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 3

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 3

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 2

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 10

5. Longevity/Quality 6

6. Noise Levels 6

7. Ease of Use 9

8. Warranty 6

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) 7

10. Price Value 4

Score: 56 = Fair

Conclusion

Aireox Air Purifiers Compared

If you have VOC sensitivity, or a sensitivity to gases, then either one of the Aireox air purifiers would be a fit. If you want to remove dust or pollen however this would not be my recommended air purifier.

The Aireox, which is expensive to maintain, is a solidly made unit to address this very specific need for gas removal.

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

Ionic Air Purifier Review

April 3, 2021 by john

Overview

I am amazed that the ionic type of air purifier (also called ionizer and electrostatic) is still popular, despite the fact that the Ionic Breeze air purifier was pulled off of TV by the Federal Trade Commission.

The danger with many ionic air purifiers (not all) is their tendency to create Ozone. For many consumers the name “Ionic Breeze” is even synonymous with the term “Air Purifier” because of the infomercial exposure.

In this Ionic Air Purifier Review I will be giving an overview of the pros and cons of ionic types to help you determine whether they are a good fir for your needs. If you’re not sure whether ionic is for you or not read on…

Ionic Breeze – The Dangers of Ozone

How Ionic Air Purifiers Work

Most ionic air purifiers use washable metal plates to capture pollution and kill smoke and odor. The way it works is that most pollutants have either a negative or positive charge. By electrifying metal plates with positive and negative electrons the pollution particles are attracted like a magnet.

The picture below is an example of a “grid” style of collector, which produces less or no ozone compared to the “plate” style found on Oreck and the Ionic Breeze.

Then you have the Oreck style called “Truman Cells” which can create Ozone, although not as much as the Ionic Breeze plates did. While ozone is a “byproduct” of ionic plates, and not what does the actual work in cleaning the air, different ionic air purifiers will differ in how much, if any, ozone they create. In general the smaller the plates the less the ozone. The grid style seems to create less opportunity for ozone creation.

The big problem with ionic air purifiers, assuming that it does not create ozone, is that most dust and pollen does not have an electric charge, at least not enough to be caught by the grids. Most of the dust in an Oreck machine or the plates is due to static electricity.

Pros & Cons of Ionic

Ionic air purifiers are both inexpensive to make, purchase and maintain. The downside is that they are not very good for dust or pollen.

Pros

1 – Inexpensive

2 – Washable which means no replacement filters to buy

3 – Destroys odor and smoke.

4 – Inexpensive to run.

Cons

1 – Does not remove dust or pollen like a HEPA filter

2 – Can create ozone which can harm lungs

3 – Does not help with germs, bacteria, viruses

4 – Frequent cleaning required of the plates – every 4 or 5 days

5 – Internal ionizing wires need cleaning after eight to ten days. This will stop a humming noise caused by particle build-up on the charging wire

6 – Like all ionizers, the unit can create a black wall effect if left too long in one spot.

7 – Some ionizers can make an annoying sparking and crackling noises may develop when collector plates and ionizer wires are not kept perfectly clean

Since Ionic Breeze died a sudden death you might want to watch some of the “Top 10 Air Purifier” videos via the menu on the left.

Ionic Air Purifier Review Comparison Chart

Ionic Air Purifier Customer Reviews

Click on the models below to read consumer reviews on the most popular Ionic Air Purifiers.

Conclusion

If you have allergies, find an air purifier with HEPA and skip this ionic air purifier review. If you have asthma DO NOT USE IONIC, as it does create some Ozone which can irritate lungs.

If you smoke cigarettes, have an odor problem, or pollution then this might be an inexpensive alternative air purifier. If you smoke you won’t have to buy a HEPA filter which gets clogged with nicotine. 

I hope this Ionic Air Purifier Review has been of help.

Filed Under: Air Purifier Reviews, Top

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