HEPA Air Cleaners - Important Facts
Don't Buy a HEPA Air Cleaner Unless it Meets These 5 Criteria
When it comes to the array of choices out there for HEPA air cleaners, the number of possibilities are endless. As an increasing body of research on the harmful side effects that modern medicine can cause accumulates, a growing number of private consumers are turning toward alternative natural solutions for their everyday health issues. Millions of Americans suffer from allergies and asthma. As pollution rates increase and our weather systems fluctuate, the number is steadily climbing. A need has presented itself to the market for natural solutions to help ease the symptoms associated with allergies, asthma, respiratory illnesses, indoor pollutants as well as smoke and chemical sensitivities. There are countless HEPA air cleaner systems to choose from. If you are in the market for a HEPA room air cleaner for your home, don't make your decision without first making sure that your choice meets these 5 basic criteria:
- HEPA filter - There are several filtration systems that are on the market. The HEPA filter is a safe, powerful and natural way to cleanse the air in your home of airborne pollutants. Airborne pollutants are particles in the air that you can inhale. Once you breathe in these foreign elements, they can irritate or inflame your airways. They can also bring about your worst allergy symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose and even itchy or irritated throat, eyes or nose. These pollutants come in a variety of forms. Some of the most common air pollutants are mold spores, dust, pet dander, smoke, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and, you guessed it, pollen. The true medical grade HEPA filter can eliminate 99.97% of all airborne pollutants from the air that you breathe up to 0.3 microns in size. True HEPA air cleaners are extremely effective. They were originally developed by the Atomic Energy Commission during World War 2. These powerful filters were created to remove radioactive dust from the air. HEPA air cleaner technology has been used in hospital surgical environments, burn care units and even isolation units where the utmost removal of sub-micron particles is a must. Medical professionals trust HEPA air cleaners and so should you. It has stood up to the test of time proving throughout the years that it is both impressively capable and trustworthy.
- High capacity pre-filter - This element to the equation is essential for the longevity of your HEPA room air cleaner. The HEPA air filter is sensitive and that is what makes it so amazingly effective. However, this sensitive technology needs a helping hand so that it can consistently deliver a top performance. The high capacity pre-filter removes all of the larger particles from the air before the air reaches the HEPA air cleaner system. This prevents larger particles, such as dust that is visible to the naked eye, from damaging the HEPA filter and thereby reducing its effectiveness. The pre-filter keeps your HEPA air cleaner running strong for the extent of its lifetime which means that you spend less money on repairs or replacement parts.
- Activated carbon - This is an additional filtration system that separates the "sort of" reliable and "kind of" effective HEPA air cleaners from the ultimate in air purification technology. Activated carbon is simply carbon that has been treated with oxygen in order to make it more permeable. The oxygen treatment creates tiny openings between the atoms in the carbon. This makes the surface area of the carbon enormous. When chemicals or airborne pollutants travel by the activated carbon, they attach themselves to one of the countless pores on the surface of the carbon and get stuck. Once they are locked in, they are removed from the air. This natural ingredient is a fantastic accompaniment to a HEPA air cleaner and it will ensure the quality of clean air circulating in your home.
- Does not promote the off-gassing of chemicals - So, the bad news is that some filtration processes encourage off-gassing of VOCs. VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) are chemicals that are easily vaporized. VOCs can be found in a number of areas in your home. Some brands of air cleaners actually promote the off-gassing of chemicals. Of course this is counter productive. You want to make sure that in the process of purifying your air, you are not also polluting it with VOCs.
- Does not produce ozone - This is another warning that should be heeded with attention. There are types of air cleaners that pollute the very air that they are "purifying" through the process of "so called" purification. Ionizers and ionic air purifiers are a perfect example of this. Ionizers are very quiet because the process through which they cleanse the air is electro-static. What they do is electrically charge the particles in the air so that the particles will attach themselves to the oppositely charged plates within the purifier. Ionizers release a refreshing smell that accompanies the electro-static process. This clean and crisp smell seems to indicate that the air purifier is, in fact, working. It will probably surprise you to discover that the pleasant smell that ionizers emit is actually ozone. Ozone is a type of charged oxygen molecule. It is harmful in large doses. Ozone has been known to aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms (which is why on days where there is a high level of pollution, it is recommended that you stay indoors). Ozone counters the effects of the purification process. It pollutes the air that you are breathing through the very process that it is using to clean it. Make sure that the air purifier that you are buying does not emit ozone!
If heeded, all of these recommendations will ensure that you pick a product of supreme effectiveness and safety. If you are still unsure about where to start or what to look for, here are a few recommendations of quality HEPA air cleaner brands that have proven reliable over their years of service to the public:
- IQAir - IQAir has been providing the public with the highest quality True HEPA air cleaners on the market to date. In fact, the Hong Kong Hospital Authority went to IQAir when the SARS epidemic broke out and hospitals all over the city used IQAir HEPA air cleaners to ensure that the epidemic did not spread further. These cleaners are all individually put through a series of rigorous tests before they are released to the public and stamped with the IQAir seal of approval. IQAir HEPA air cleaners are Swiss made and this company takes its reputation for quality to heart. Each HEPA air cleaner comes with a remote control and an automatic timer. They also come with a number of fan settings and a filter monitor so you don't have to wonder when you should be replacing your current filter. These air cleaners are extremely quiet and energy efficient. Their product line includes HEPA air cleaners that simply cleanse the air of airborne particulates which is great for people who are looking to control their asthma or allergy symptoms. They also carry a line that rids the air of particulates and odors which is perfect for those of you who are smokers and want to help rid your home of smoke odors as well as pet owners who want to rid the air of pet related odors in your home. Regardless of the model that you choose, you know that you are getting a quality product when you go with IQAir.
- Amaircare - This Company has developed a HEPA air cleaner that meets all of the above mentioned criteria and that comes in a portable size. Amaircare created the Roomaid Portable Air Purifier. It was created for those of you who want a HEPA air cleaner for a room that is 250 sq. ft. or smaller. This model is powerful and reliable but takes up less space in your home or office. The unique aspect of this machine is that it can be ordered with an adaptor that will adapt the cleaner for car use. Now you can take a HEPA air cleaner with you wherever you go.
- Austin Air - Austin Air Cleaners is a company that has been trusted and respected for years. The government went to Austin Air for help post 9/11 to help rid the air of chemicals, dust, and other pollutants. Austin Air uses both activated carbon and a medical grade HEPA air filter to ensure that their filters are both powerful and long-lasting. Austin Air makes HEPA air cleaners that are perfect for your home or office. They also have a cleaner that is specially designed for the baby's room. Austin Air has air cleaners for almost every need, including an allergy sufferer specific model, a pet owner model and a model that targets the needs of those suffering from MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). The best part about this product line is that all of their HEPA room air cleaner systems are backed by a 5 year warranty!
All of the above mentioned product lines meet the suggested criteria of a True HEPA air cleaner. These HEPA room air cleaners are a perfect air purification solution that will provide you and your loved ones with the relief and dependability that you deserve. All of these products are available through Clean Air Plus. Take the time to make the right decision for you and your family. Make sure that your HEPA air cleaner can stand up to scrutiny.