| With so many slick ads for so many air purifier | | | | all, their cheap filters have to be replaced every |
| products, how can the average person make an | | | | few months which adds up to $1000 or more in |
| informed decision on the best product for their | | | | replacement filters over a 5 year period. Another |
| particular needs? I found a wealth of interesting | | | | problem with cheap air cleaners, while the filters |
| "insider" information on into the world of air | | | | are rated as "99.97% HEPA", the actual particle |
| purifiers and air purifier marketers. Some of the | | | | reduction capabilities is 50-90% because air can |
| more interesting facts I discovered:o Air purifier | | | | bypass the filter (air goes to area of least |
| rating sites are not as objective as one might | | | | resistance) because the HEPA filter is not properly |
| think. Most positive reviews are written by paid | | | | sealed to prevent air bypass. Not only are you |
| shills and most negative reviews are written by | | | | wasting money on filters that do not perform as |
| competitors slamming their competition. Even | | | | well as advertised, you're not dealing with VOC |
| Consumer Reports has flawed reviews because | | | | issues and actually adding to the problem! Many |
| they do not test or rate the best products, only | | | | people who purchase plastic air cleaners get sick |
| the most popular, and they don't test them for | | | | when they first plug them in because of all of the |
| VOC removal capabilities. (VOC's are the main | | | | off-gassing VOC's (plastic smell) all that glue in the |
| indoor air quality concern and plastic air cleaners | | | | filter media and the plastic in the air cleaner is |
| actually add to the problem and can't help | | | | off-gassing into the air. |
| because they lack pounds of carbon or other | | | | I guess that the best approach when it comes to |
| VOC removal technologies such as Photocatalytic | | | | indoor air quality issues is to not believe much of |
| oxidation.o Product specs are misleading. For | | | | what you read or hear about an air purifier but |
| instance carbon content may be listed as 15 lbs | | | | rather first take the following simple steps to |
| but what they don't tell you is that includes the | | | | improve clean your air; |
| weight of the canister; actual carbon weight may | | | | 1) Remove as many VOC producing products as |
| only be 9 or 10 lbs. We also discovered that | | | | possible from your home. That includes carpets, |
| Austin Air rates their HEPA media by counting the | | | | plastic products, and chemicals. For more |
| inside and outside surface of the media, not just | | | | information, check out the EPA website. |
| one side. So 60 sq ft of media is really only 30 sq | | | | 2) Open the windows as often as possible to |
| ft of media. The only 2 manufacturers that rate | | | | ventilate your living area. |
| their media on one side are Amaircare and | | | | 3) Run your HVAC system 24/7 and utilize a high |
| Airpura. They are the only 2 who we found also | | | | quality furnace filter. Also consider adding a carbon |
| offer correct specs on carbon content.o The best | | | | pad for VOC removal. |
| bang for you buck is a high quality washable | | | | If you do those 3 things, you'll drastically improve |
| electrostatic furnace filter, for instance the Air | | | | your indoor air quality at a price that won't break |
| Care Electra Gold (Retail $80, Air Purifiers | | | | the bank. If you feel you need an air cleaner, first |
| Superstore has it for $49.99) If you run your | | | | look for products that can address VOC issues |
| HVAC system 24/7 (only cost around $5 a | | | | and shy away from air purifiers that produce |
| month in electricity to do so) you will change the | | | | ozone to purify the air in occupied areas. From |
| air in your entire home 2 times per hour. You can | | | | what I read, the Airpura V600 is the best VOC |
| also add a carbon pad to your furnace filter ($8) | | | | removal air purifier on the market. For smaller |
| which adds VOC and odor removal capabilities. | | | | rooms, the best product I found was the |
| The Air Care filter is independently rated to | | | | Amaircare Roomaid or Amaircare 2500. For a |
| remove 95% of particles over 1 micron. (very | | | | whole house air purifier, I like the $322 system |
| good). If you also add a UVC induct system, you'll | | | | offered by Good luck and as always, don't believe |
| also have virus, bacteria, and mold protection to | | | | anything a salesman or sales pitch says, research, |
| your whole house air purifier system.o Plastic air | | | | ask good questions, and take your time before |
| purifiers off-gas and add to the VOC problem. | | | | making any purchase and in the end you'll be just |
| They also lack the pounds of carbon needed to | | | | fine. |
| remove VOC's and odors from the air. Worst of | | | | |