The Air Purifier Blogs

In regard to the purchase of an air purifier, there are many people who are concerned with the cost of doing so. While it is important that you find a product that can afford the cost of an air purifier is not all you need to think. In fact, it is important not only to examine the air purifier as a whole but its parts as well. When it comes to air purifier parts, you are advised to pay special attention to the filters used.

Before you can begin to examine the filters that are used with most air purifiers, it is important to remember one thing. Most filters use air purifiers, but not all do. There are a number of air purifiers on the market that are filter-less. Many times, these air purifiers use a collection instead of a filter. Instead of replacing a filter, these networks often collection just has to be erased. Basically, if you’re looking for an air cleaner, low-maintenance, you may want to think about purchasing an air purifier that the filter is less.

Although the filter less air purifiers are easier to maintain, often find they are relatively expensive to pay. While the cost is a value in the long term, you may not have the money in advance to buy one. If so, it is likely that you purchase an air purifier that uses a filter. By doing so, it is important to examine the filter that is used. It has been noted that HEPA filters are one of the best types of filters you have.

HEPA filters and was wondering why they are considered the best? If so, definitely not alone. Air purifier manufacturers, who use HEPA filters, must meet a set of rules and regulations. These rules and regulations are often imposed by the Department of Energy. HEPA filters, with strict rules and regulations are almost twice as effective as most other filters, when it comes to trap bacteria or harmful air particles. You will find that air purifiers with HEPA filters tend to cost more money with the other filters, however, often worth the extra cost.

Moreover, the type of filter used, it is also important to examine whether the replacement filters are required. There are a number of air purifiers on the market today which have filters that only need to be cleaned, often with a vacuum, however, most of the filters should be replaced. When examining replacement filters, it is important to examine not only the cost of filters, but when they have to be replaced too. It is not uncommon for the filter replacement is required about once a year, but some of the filters up to three, while others make only a few months. Since replacement parts, including air purifiers, you will have an impact on the cost of owning an air purifier, it is important that you determine that cost ahead of time.

As you should be able to see the filters used have a significant impact on all air purifiers that use. By keeping the above points in mind, you should not only be able to buy a quality air purifier, but it is affordable.

Interview with William Schuettenberg, Vice President, Healthway Products

Question: What do you think are the most common misconceptions that people have about air cleaning?

Answer: My conversations with consumers over the years convinces me that the primary misconception regarding air cleaning is many people believe cleaning the air is an “event”, like vacuuming the carpet or floor. I turned the air cleaner on for 2 hours or some other time period, and the room is “clean”. The job is finished. Actually, air within any indoor space is in a state of constant change, adding particles, microorganisms and gases “into” that space continuously. A roomful of air is anything but “static”.

Every indoor space is continuously bombarded with among other things:

• Foot traffic, stirring up dust and other particles that can trigger
  allergy/asthma attacks
• Microorganisms, airborne from coughing and sneezing
• Shedding of our skin as a normal process
• Particles coming in through our central heating and cooling systems. Because
  contaminant levels in indoor spaces are constantly changing, an air cleaner
  should be left on as continuously as possible to get optimum cleaning benefit.

Question: If someone works in an office cubicle and wants to reduce the allergens in their work area what should they do?

Answer: In the office space, the potential for allergy particles in the air, and virus & bacteria transfer among people is very high indeed. Many offices do not have daily vacuuming, nor do many vacuum with high efficiency filters. The concentration of contaminants left continuously airborne in the office
environment is generally very high, potentially higher than your home. People can in fact, “protect” their own air space by using an air cleaner at their work station or in their office.

By keeping the air cleaner “on”, you actually maintain a protected area even in an office cubicle, something like a “bubble” around you, where contaminants have difficulty entering “your space” because you are continuously pushing clean air into your work space.

Question: I have had some people who want to put air cleaners in their closets or under their desks. Any comments?

Answer: Well, all I can say is wherever the air cleaner is placed, the air gets cleaned.

Question: We often get people who want to move an air cleaner from room to room during the week – one day one room and then move onto the next.

Answer: I have been asked this question many times. I find that people get the highest satisfaction from their air cleaner when they focus its ability to clean, in a single indoor space. By that I mean, ask yourself where do you spend the most time, or do you have trouble sleeping at night, does your office
environment give you problems you don’t have in other spaces, etc. Pick a target area and do an excellent job in that space, continuously. Approximately 30% of people who start by purchasing one air cleaner, buy another one because they discover “it works” in a specific space, when they leave it on continuously.

Question: Can you explain to our members what the difference the fan speed makes to the cleaning effectiveness of a machine?

Answer: The higher the fan speed, the more air is drawn into the machine, and the more clean air is distributed per hour back into the space. The purpose of an air cleaner is to clean the entire volume of air in the space, and clean it again, and again….remember, contaminants are continuously entering the air as we discussed before. LOW speed might clean a rooms air volume twice each hour, while HI speed on the same machine might clean it 6 times each hour. Especially to an allergy or asthma sufferer, the highest amount of clean air is the best.

Question: Do you recommended turning an air cleaner on high when you are out of a room and then on low when say you want to go to sleep?

Answer: This becomes a preference as it relates to the noise level. It is possible on HI speed to clean a space while no one is in it, and have a lower speed at night when the air cleaner “maintains” a good level of clean air through the night. It is certainly worth a try. People tell me this does work. The allergy sufferer may require a higher cleaning level continuously, but….try it. Using the air cleaner in different ways gives you more understanding of how it works, and what to expect. The fan speeds are options for you to use; making the air cleaner more flexible for your needs and the air cleaning applications.

Question: Many people are buying machines based on quietness, indeed we ourselves have criticized your product for being “noisy”. What is your response to this?

Answer: A tough question, but one that needs discussion. Noise is a subjective issue. Years ago, I had a pond in my backyard, that seemed to have “hundreds” of frogs, judging by the nightly singing ritual. That was noise! Strangely, after a week or two, I found the “chorus” soothing, and I had trouble sleeping without them. Noise is very personal – my suggestion is for the person to operate the air cleaner for a reasonable time before making a decision on whether the noise level is a problem. Most importantly, give the air cleaner a chance, and try using it at different speeds, and then make your decision.

When discussing noise it helps to know that noise is made up of “volume” and “pitch”. For example, many people find higher volume noise levels less of an issue as long as they are in the range of a more neutral pitch. Healthway products target “neutral” pitch.

Question: How do you know whether a HEPA filter is really doing its job? When would you change the filter?

Answer: An air cleaner is a different product than for example, a heater or an air conditioner. With a heater or air conditioner, you feel heat or cool instantly. With an air cleaner users typically notice a decrease of allergic reactions or other symptoms over time – generally within 2-3 days of continuous use. Or they may notice they have less house dust (a mite allergen home) or they sleep better. Observing the filter also indicates the air cleaner is working, as the filter turns color as contaminants build up.

Most manufacturers have a device to signal when to change the filters. Better quality products use pressure switches that actually measure the point when filters become clogged, and need changing. This pressure switch is usually for the main filter. Less expensive products use a simple timer to approximate when the filter might be clogged.

Consumers can also feel where the air comes out. If it appears no air is coming out, or the air is “puffing” the filter probably is clogged, and needs to be changed.

Question: Are there any benefits to using a room air cleaner as opposed to a central HEPA or electrostatic system?

Answer: A central forced heat or air conditioning system generally has a filter that is not high efficiency and is not very dense; so only larger particles may be captured. Larger particles are seldom the issue for respiratory problems, it is the smaller ones that can get into your lungs, and cause reactions and trigger breathing attacks. I always recommend that consumers use at least a middle grade efficiency filter in their central system, to get some smaller particles. Central systems do not clean rooms at a high level because they do not set up a strong enough air current in the room to get all the air space “scrubbed” and then back though the central filter system. To have the best indoor air quality, use a good, middle grade central filter, along with a high efficiency room air cleaner for the spaces of greatest health concern.

Question: Ok, here you can make a plug for your Healthway product line. I know you believe passionately in its superiority – Why?

Answer: I do. As we look at indoor spaces, and the contaminants airborne within these spaces, I believe Healthway’s patented EMF technology certified by independent laboratory testing; demonstrates a true advancement for healthier indoor air. This machine is designed to remove 99.99% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size. To me the more serious health issue is the spread of airborne viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. Our EMF Filtration System “Kills” 100% of airborne viruses, 98-100% of bacteria and 94% of mold spores. To me, the high efficiency of our machine “killing” microorganisms is a clear technology advancement. HEPA “does not” kill microorganisms. These microorganisms are present in our homes, offices and certainly our school classrooms. The EPA defines Biological pollutants as:

• Animal Dander (minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin)
• Dust Mite & Cockroach parts
• Fungi (Molds)
• Infectious Agents (bacteria or viruses)
• Pollen

According to the EPA “Biological pollutants promote poor indoor air quality and may be a major cause in days lost from work or school, and of doctor and hospital visits. Biological pollutants can travel through the air and are often invisible”. Under Health Effects of Biological Pollutants the EPA states,
“except for the spread of infections indoors, allergic reactions may be the most common health problem with indoor air quality in homes. Allergic reactions can range from mildly uncomfortable to life threatening, as in a severe asthma “attack”. I believe the Healthway patented EMF Filtration System gives you the performance edge of it’s advanced technology to provide increased protection for you and all your indoor spaces.

Question: In what circumstances does the Healthway product line do best and why?

Answer: I believe our best applications are any non-smoking environment. Our only criteria is that the indoor space match the capacity of the air cleaner. The EMF Filtration System captures allergy particles at a higher efficiency that HEPA. Observing viruses, bacteria and mold spores on the rise as a growing indoor air health issue caused Healthway to focus on obtaining exclusive proven technology that guarantees a high level of “germ” kill in the air cleaner. Think for a moment about the air environment at work – a person has a cold or flu like symptoms…what happens….others get it. Protecting children is another environment our technology excels. As it relates especially to smaller
children…in the December issue of CHILD magazine, talking about school environments, the article states, “children are especially vulnerable to environmental hazards because, per pound of body weight, they eat, drink and breathe three to four times as much as adults do”. The article suggests that in addition to focusing on the excellence of a schools curriculum and teachers, parents might be well served to research the indoor “health” of the physical building itself. It seems; just like our offices are an adults work environment….a child’s school is their work environment. I also believe an excellent application for our room air cleaner is a childs bedroom; whether allergies are an issue or not, respiratory systems that are still developing in the child can certainly benefit from cleaner healthier air.

In my opinion, air cleaning is about a person having control over the air quality of any indoor space they occupy home, office or school – it is a choice, and air quality can be controlled. Fortunately, the technology is now available in our patented, uniquely designed room air cleaners to provide excellent
performance for cleaning the air in all your indoor spaces. I believe our technology achieves improved personal comfort, a more protected air environment, and safer, healthier indoor spaces.

Thank you Mercia for the opportunity to share my thoughts with your members to enable them to have “control” of their indoor air quality.