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Question about the Airpura H600 Allergy Asthma Air Purifier,Cream

Q:"What makes this portable air purfier superior to Honeywell, Holmes, etc. I am allergic and want the best air filtration unit I can find. Thanks. Sara."

Answer: AirPura is Made in Canada, not in China or outside North America. The construction and warranty as we describe below should help with your choice.

Air Pura Technology Below  Makes Airpura Your Best Choice:

• Vacuumable Pre-filter 570 sq in x 1" deep: Vacuum through the mesh and replace every 12 months
• 2 Micro-Suppress filters: Suppress bacteria and viruses around the carbon bed
• Carbon filter: Absorbs airborne chemicals, noxious gases and odors
• True HEPA filter: 40 Sq Ft. Traps 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.HEPA is warm rolled to prevent cracking. 10 pleats per sq inch maximizes filtration (other systems only
  use 6-8 folds). Spacers to make sure every fold filters.
• Unimpeded airflow: air flows directly from the filters to the exterior for lower air turbulance and less noise
• Motor and electric parts out of the airflow:Other systems blow clean air over the motor and recontaminate it
• One piece motor / fan assembly: Eliminates vibration problems where separate fan is attached to a shaft with a set screw.
• Compact motor / fan design allows more space for filtration 
• Felt Gaskets: Seal the filter chamber so there is no off gassing from rubber seals.
• Unique pressure seal:seal system on the filter chamber ensures that all the impurities pass through the filters. Other filters let dirty air escape around the filters.
• Air Flow 560 CFM:More cfm than any other portable unit available
• Powdercoat steel mesh housing with 4 castors: No plastic vapors from housing.
• Attractive modern appearance: choose color to match your decor
• Variable speed control: allows user to set unit at optimum CFM for their situation
• Sound Level: 28.1db on low (at 6 feet),  62.3db on high (560cfm) (Room level 25.1db)
• Power usage:Watts   120 on high, 40 on low
• Size:  23" height, 15" diameter
• Etl Certified: Conforms to ANSI/UL 507  CSA C22.2 no 113
• Weight: 45 lbs.
• Warranty: 5 years on parts, 10 years on labor by AirPura
  

Compare with the Honeywell and other brands. Decide if you want a unit that lasts for 5 to 10 years or more or a throw away model.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

 

Question about the AirPura Whole House forced air heating and cooling system air purifiers.

Q: "I want to install an AirPura HVAC air filtration system. I don't know which one will meet my needs. Please explain what the units have in common and how they differ. Thanks. Sam.

Answer: All the AirPura systems are supplemental air cleaners, i.e. they bypass air from the central air flow, clean it and return it through the main system. All are made in Canada, not China. AirPura suggests you have a "tinsmith" or HVAC person cut the holes in your return air duct. Once connected to your return air duct, a portion of the main airflow is by-passed through the unit which purifies it and returns the clean air into the system. The Airpura unit can continue to filter and distribute clean air throughout your home even when your central air system is turned off. Even when your central air system is turned off the Airpura W600 can continue to filter and distribute clean air throughout your home.

Here are the common features of all AirPura Whole House Air Purifiers:

• draws a portion of the main airflow as a by-pass, purifies it and returns the clean air into the system.
• efficient 560 CFM fan motor ensures that no change in air pressure takes place in your central air system.
• variable speed control, you choose the level of purification required: from OFF to MAX.]
• save on your energy costs and help protect the environment by cleaning and recirculating your indoor air instead of heating or cooling outdoor air.
• easy change pre-filter:simply unclip the input pipe and replace the pre-filter pad.
• 18 lbs Carbon Filter
• True HEPA filter Traps 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns:40 sq ft HEPA filtration surface
• Motor and electric parts out of the airflow:Other systems blow clean air over the motor and recontaminate it
  
• One piece motor / fan assembly: Eliminates vibration problems where separate fan is attached to a shaft with a set screw. Compact motor / fan design allows more space for filtration
• Powdercoat steel housing: Robust construction. No plastic vapors.
• Felt Gaskets Seal the filter chamber: No off gassing from rubber seals
• Unique pressure seal: The pressure seal system on the filter chamber ensures that all the impurities pass through the filters. Other systems allow dirty air to escape and fail to acheive their promised HEPA rating of 99.97% filtration.
• Physical Size: 22" high, 15" wide
• Effective for up to 2000 sq ft

These are the various units and what makes each unique:

• Airpura R600-W: All Features Listed Above, ie. 18 lb carbon filter plus true HEPA filter. Use in a typical home up to 2000 sq. ft where you want better air quality.
  

• Airpura V600-W: All Features Listed Above Plus Enhanced special blend carbon in the 18 lb carbon filter adsorbs VOCs and specific chemicals. True HEPA Filter. Use in a home up to 2000 sq. ft where you have exposure to ammonia, formaldehyde, etc.
  

• Airpura UV600-W: UV Germicidal lamp sterilizes antigens, pathogens and mold spores as they are trapped on the filters.17 inches germicidal surface U shaped lamp: 2 times the length of other makes and 2 times as effective Plus 18 lb carbon filter plus true HEPA filter. Use in a home up to 2000 sq. feet. when you are concerned about mold, antigens, germs, etc.
  
• Airpura P600-W:  TitanClean photocatalytic oxidizion technology targets VOCs, airborne chemicals and odors as well as mold, particles and microorganisms. Has a titanium dioxide reflector that works in conjunction with the Airpura'20 watt UV germicidal lamp. 18 lb. carbon filter, true HEPA filter. Use in home or business up to 2000 sq. ft. when you are concerned about reducing airborne chemicals to smaller safer compounds, until only carbon dioxide and water vapor are left. You can retrofit your UV600-W (a portable air cleaner) to use this reflector.
  
• Airpura H600-W:  For allergy and asthma sufferers and full scale particle filtration. Hi-C carbon weave filter traps airborne chemicals and odors. 18 lb. carbon filter, True HEPA Filter. Use in a home up to 2000 sq. ft. where persons live with allergies to pollen, dust mites, dust, etc. as well as to chemical odors.
• Airpura C600-W:  Extra large carbon bed ( 3 Inch) for maximum carbon adsorbtion. Especially effective for airborne chemicals and gases. 26 lb. carbon filter.  Special carbon blends available for specific chemical problems. HEPA-Barrier post filter traps particles. True HEPA Filter. For house or building up to 2000 sq. ft with HVAC forced air heating and air conditioning system.
  

So choose an AirPura whole house unit based upon your needs. Remember that if you have a house larger than 2000 sq. ft, the effectiveness of any of these units is greatly reduced. In many homes larger than 2000 sq. ft, there are 2 or more HVAC units depending upon the home size.

I hope this has helped you to make your decision. Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

 

Question about the Amaircare HEPA Filter Air Purifier Model 3000.

Q: "How often should I change the HEPA filter in my Amaircare 3000 portable air cleaner? I have cats and dogs and use it in my bedroom because my husband is allergic. Thanks." Susan

Answer: Usually the HEPA is changed every 2 to 3 years depending upon where the air purifier is used. What is as important is to wipe off the outside of the metal cabinet regularly and to change the pre-filters and inner filters regularly. Typically the outer filter is changed every 3 to 4 months and the inner filter every 6 months. The outer filter is made from foam and can be washed with detergent and water. The inner filter is made from a pure carbon blanket media that removes VOC's (volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, paint thinner, etc.) and is not washable.

Americair manufactures its own Amaircare® brand HEPA filters in Canada. Filament is bonded to air filter media for structural support and even pleat spacing. After pleating, filters are enclosed in protective screens and cast in food-grade plastisol at both ends for a 100% air seal. 100 square feet of HEPA filtration material captures the smallest particulates. Each Amaircare HEPA filter is then tested for 99.97% efficiency, with a laser particle counter.

The Amaircare 3000 HEPA filter is a 16 inch cartridge filter that also fits the Amaircare 3050 and and Amaircare 4000. (These units are no longer made.) The same intervals should be followed for the other Amaircare air purifiers which include the Amaircare 2500 and the Roomaid with the VOC canister filter or with the standard HEPA and pre- and post-filters. There are also VOC cartridge filters that can be added to all these air purifiers.

Important: Always replace a HEPA air filter if an air purifier is turned off for more than 3 to 5 days. HEPA is a medium in which bacteria, viruses, etc. can grow if moisture collects in the filter media. Constant air flow keeps the HEPA filter media dry and free of such contaminants.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Roomaid Air Purifier.

Q: "I am interested in purchasing the Roomaid since I understand the unit can be operated both in a motor home or car on a 12VDC power adapterand also on standard AC power. My concern is maintaining the unit. What is involved with that? Do you have any personal experience with the unit? Thanks. Mary

Answer: The Roomaid is made in Canada by Amaircare. I've run a "white" ( it is really cream colored) Roomaid in my home office continuously (except for when I wash the prefilters) for over 9 years. I've changed the HEPA once and the pre-filter maybe 4 times. By the way, I have allergies and have run an Amaircare 3000 continuously in our bedroom for 9 years as well. Original motors still purr along quietly. (German motors.)

Both units are especially needed since Buddy the Siamese cat joined the family a year ago. Since Buddy likes to sleep in his cat bed right next to my monitor, the Roomaid prefilter does pick up a lot of cat hair over the course of a month (don't believe everything you read about Siamese shedding very little). The annual filter kit includes both pre and post filters There is also an optional VOC carbon filter if you are sensitive to formaldehyde or other volatile organic compounds.

To maintain the unit, turn the unit off and wash the prefilters in soapy water, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. Remember that HEPA filters can become a source of mold or bacterial growth if air does not move through them nearly continuously. Never have an air purifier with a HEPA filter sit idle for more than 3 or 4 days or you need to replace the HEPA.

To change the snap on HEPA replacement filter you just jank a bit (or maybe use a knife for leverage) and pull off the entire top of the unit which is the HEPA. There are 4 or 5 little peg inserts that snap into the bottom of the Roomaid where the motor is. Then push the new unit on and put on the new prefilter. The post filter sits in the middle of the HEPA unit.

You could add a scent to the top of the HEPA unit. There is a little round container for scent. I choose not to since I am allergic to begin with.

For use in the car, there is a seat belt clip included with the optional 12volt power adapter.

In my opinion, there is not a sturdier unit available in this price range. And certainly maintenance is simple as well.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara