Safe-Home.com

Question about the difference between a 4 inch Trion Air Bear Filter Pleated Furnace Filter and the Safe Home Duo Air Purify Furnace Filter 16x25x4 Inch.

Q; "How does the Safe Home Duo4 differ from the pleated 4 inch Trion Air Bear brand filter I currently use in my HVAC system? We are an allergic family but do not want the expensive, high maintenance HVAC systems with HEPA filters or electronic air cleaners. We were looking at the Envirosept Electronic Furnace Panel but those electronic furnace panels come only for one inch furnace slots. Thanks. Tim."

Answer:  Websites that sell the Trion Air Bear Filters note the high efficiency of filtration of the Trion Air Bear whole-house media air cleaners because of synthetic filter media and extended surface pleats that let the air pass straight through the pleats. The consensus is that using highly efficient air filters can increase HVAC equipment life (the motor, etc. remain cleaner) and save money.

Trio Air Bear and Safe Home Duo4 Filter Similarities:

• Synthetic filter media
• Extended surface pleats
• Omni-directional air flow
• MERV 7 to 8 rating: Note, using a high MERV rated filter on an older furnace with a smaller furnace motor is not advised. 
• Fit tightly in filter slot: air must go through filter

Trion Air Bear and Safe Home Duo4 Filter Differences:

• Air Bear has metal wires
• Safe Home™ Duo4 has Formaldesorb™ impregnated into the media filter so odors, dust, pollen and chemicals are stay in the filter as air flows through it.
  

So why choose the Safe Home Duo4 Filter over the Trion Air Bear? The major reason is the Formaldesorb™ addition to the media material. Formaldesorb™ combines activated carbon and potassium permanganate. Chemicals like activated carbon and potassium permanganate make the filter media more efficient as they absorb smoke and chemicals as well as neutralize odors. So the air in your home or office is cleaner and smells fresher.  The only other air purifier units that use this combination are the Miracle Air PM-400 Commercial Grade UV Purifier. The MiracleAir HEPA Filtration System is portable and has an activated carbon pre-filter, 82 sq. feet of hospital grade HEPA plus a 15 pound carbon/potassium permanganate filter cartridge that has 12 lbs of activated carbon and 3 pounds of alumina potassium permanganate. So using the Safe Home™ Duo4 gives you a similar combination of carbon and potassium permanganate to reduces odors and volatile organic chemicals in a furnace filter.

Safe Home Duo4 Filter Specifications:

• Thickness: 4 inches, also fits 5 inch filter slots
• Captures up to 95% of common household allergens
• Eliminates odors from pets, paint, cooking, and more
• Uses high density carbon and advanced compounds plus synthetic filter media
• Highly effective and affordable: Uses the same materials that protect critical environments in most hospitals
• MERV 7 polyester white ASHRAE rated allergen filter plus an industrial chemical and odor filter,
• Replacement intervals: every 3 to 6 months depending upon air quality of building.
• Fits tighly in slot due to foam around entire outside of filter.
• 300 grams per square foot of a 50/50 activated carbon and FormaldaSorb™ blend
• Made in USA
• Note: This furnace filter is not a control device for radon, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide.
• Limited Warranty: Free of manufacturing and material defects . If product is found defective within 30 days of purchase, it will be replaced at no additional charge. 
• Product is not packaged for sale outside of the United States

Many furnace filters remove dust and dirt, only one aspect of indoor air pollution. Levels of gases from cleaning products, formeldehyde out-gassing from laminated wood, VOC's i.e volatile organic compounds etc. are higher than in the past because of increased sealing and insulation of homes and businesses. For those with allergies and chronic medical problems, indoor air pollution is uncomfortable if not dangerous. The EPA ranks indoor air as often a greater risk than outdoor pollution and water contamination. Allergy and asthma symptoms, as well as long term health problems, are often caused or triggered by these common gases. In many areas, polluted indoor air is a greater health threat than outdoor air or contaminated water.

Thank you for your question. If your allergy symptoms require more, you may want to add a supplemental air purifier system. Consider the Airpura P600-W HEPA,VOC, UV HVAC Whole House Air Purifier which filters air even when the furnace blower is off. This unit pulls air from your return air ducts and passes it through HEPA filtration and a VOC filter while the UV light works to kill bacteria and viruses.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Airpura H600 Allergy Asthma Air Purifier,Cream

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 why the Safe Home Duo 16 x 25 x 1 furnace filter is a better furnace filter than a washable metal one or a fiberglass disposable one.

Answer: Differences are several:

• All air must pass through the Safe Home Duo furnace filter because the frame is internal. The twin media covering the frame are self-sealing. To install, push the Safe Home filter into the one inch slot. The soft filter media seals against all 4 edges.
• Each Safe Home Duo filter has two types of media: one layer is for dust, dirt and pollen; the second layer also contains an odor and formaldehyde absorbing layer.  Judged to be 95% effective at filtering out dust, dirt, allergens, etc.
• Compare 95% effectivness of the Duo with either an all metal filter or one made of fiberglass. Fiberglass tend to clog quickly with large dirt particles, restricting air flow while letting small particles go through. These smaller particles can include mold and bacteria. Fiberglass are often rated at 2% effective while non-electrostatic are rated at 4% effective or less.
• Neither the metal washable filter nor the disposable fiberglass filter contains activated carbon and potassium permanganate, the filter media for odors and chemicals such as formaldehyde and paint fumes.
• The Safe Home Duo is a MERV 8 rated filter made in the USA: inexpensive metal and fiberglass filters are often MERV 2 or 3.
• No mess. No time spent washing filters. Just put the dirty Duo filter into the garbage and replace with a clean one every 3 to 4 months or more often if yours is an exceptionally dirty environment.

Thank you for your question. We sell the Safe Home Duo in many sizes. We also sell the Safe Home Duo Air Purify Furnace Filter 20x20x4 In. and other sizes in the 4 inch furnace filters. These thicker furnace filters also have self-sealing edges around a 4 inch furnace filter core to filter out allergens with the Formaldesorb carbon and potassium permanganate.

Thank you for your question.

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

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 SafeHome™ Duo 20 x 20 x 1 4 Pack and the Safe Home System Cold Air Return Purifier, 20 X 20 X 1

Answer: Particularly in Southern and Western states where air conditioning is used most of the year, the newer homes have filter slots in return air grilles. One website notes that furnace filters located in the furnace plenum near the motor are meant to keep the motor clean, not the household air. The less dirt that gets to the motor, the more likely you'll get longer life. The problem is that dust and dirt get into the duct work. So filter grills not only keep the household air cleaner but also keep your duct work cleaner. Modifying older HVAC systems is difficult because the actual ductwork is often much smaller. If you put too high of a MERV rated filter into the furnace slot, you'll cut down the air movement and possibly have an overheated motor,too.

Safe Home™ sells the Safe Home Duo and the Safe Home System. Both are disposable filter products which means no messy washing, waiting for filters to dry and most likely running the unit without any filtration during that time.

The Duo has an internal metal frame with two filters, one for dust, mold, dirt and pollen and the other for gasses such as formaldehyde. The unit fits very tightly into the tip out filter grille holder because the filtration media surrounds the metal frame. The second layer, the inner layer, is impregnated with carbon and potassium permanganate which capture the VOC's such as formaldehyde and ammonia. We suggest changing that filter about every 3 months unless your home is subject to dust from remodeling, etc.

The second, the Safe Home System, consists of 5 filters of which 4 are electrostatic. These are pleated with wires that create the static charge. These 4 pre-filters that capture dust, pollen, dirt, etc. fit into the grille itself. The 5th filter, the VOC or volatile organic chemical filter, actually fits into the duct opening behind the grille. So it fits into the actual duct work. The System has 125 grams per square foot of activated carbon and FormadaSorb to remove the most common, hazardous pollutants. The replacement filters for the filter slot are electrostatic air purifier filters. These pre-filters should be changed at least every three months.

NOTE: Neither of these filters will remove carbon monoxide, radon gas or carbon dioxide. We recommend installing carbon monoxide monitors on every level of your home and in or near all sleeping areas. Test units regularly. Replace batteries at least annually.

So, either unit will meet your needs. Do check and make sure the carbon chemical fits. The Safe Home Duo and the Safe Home Filter System come in sizes to fit almost everyone's return air grille and/or furnace slot. If you have custom sized slots, please contact us for pricing on special sizes.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Safe Home Duo Air Purify Furnace Filter 16 x 20 x 1 In.

Answer: I recommend the Safe Home air purification furnace filter because it is so effective. This is a dual filter with a MERV rating of 8. MERV ratil layered polyester filter. There is a white pre-filter attached to a second polyester filter with embedded activated carbon and potassium permanganate. This air purifier filter has an internal steel frame. The polyester extends slightly beyond the metal frame so the filter seals very tightly in the slot. That way allergens, gasses, etc. cannot go around the filter edges.

The white polyester outer layer first receives the air flow: it removes pollen, mold spores, and other common allergens. The second layer features FormaldaSorb™ (potassium permanganate) and activated carbon that traps odors and hazardous gasses, such as formaldehyde, ammonia, and others. These are emitted by cleaning chemicals, paint, particle board, and other household items. No other one inch furnace filters are as effective at removing dust mites, mold spores, pollen, odors, cleaning chemicals, ozone, paint fumes, and common gasses like formaldehyde which triggers asthma and allergies.

The SafeHome Duo utilizes polyester layers as a prefilter and uses carbon and FormaldaSorb injected fibers for further filtration. This filter design uses mechanical filtration which offers the advantage of increased filtration efficiency over time because the particles themselves become part of the filter and there is no reliance on electrostatic charges which degrade over time. Mechanical filtration is particularly advantageous in humid areas or near kitchens because humidity and vapors significantly degrade pleated air filters’ electrostatic charge. By containing multiple densities of material, Duo filters are able to capture more particles while maintaining proper air resistance.

Safe Home Duo Filter Features:

• Dimensions: 16" x 20" x 1"
• Captures up to 95% of common household allergens
• Eliminates odors from pets, paint, cooking, and more
• Uses high density carbon and advanced compounds
• FormaldaSorb™ traps hazardous gasses
• Highly effective and affordable

Change the Duo at least every 3 months. Some conditions may require more frequent changes due to increased pollutants. Examples: furry pets, construction work, painting and smoking.

There are other filter sizes from which to choose as well. These include 12 x 12 x 1, 12 x 24 x 1, 14 x 14 x 1, 14 x 24 x 1, 12 x 25 x 1, 14 x 30 x 1, 20 x 20 x 1, 20 x 25 x 1, 20 x 30 x 1, and 24 x 24 x 1. If you need a custom size, contact us. There is a minimum of 12 units required for custom sizes. We'll get a quote to you in response to your email.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Amaircare HEPA Filter Air Purifier Model 3000.

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 Envirosept Electronic Furnace Filter Model 1625.

Answer:  I have two answers, one based upon personal experience here at our Safe Home Products' office and one based upon information from the manufacturer.

At our offices, we have numerous printers plus the dust and dirt that drifts in from the frequent comings and goings into our large warehouse. We tried a fiberglass filter initially and then replaced it with a 1625 Envirosept furnace panel. The amount of dust that collects on desks, monitors, etc. decreased significantly with the Envirosept. We do have to change the filters about every three weeks.  I, too, am allergic to dust plus pollen and more. The EnviroSept keeps the air clean so I'm not sneezing!

Second, the manufacturer, Aqua Air Technologies shares that there is no way to compare the EnviroSept to either the frictional electrostatic filters or the standard fiberglass ones that you throw away. Mike explains that the Envirosept is up to a thousand times more effective under normal operating conditions.  "In theory, the plastic/glass strands are supposed to develop a static electric charge as the air passes through the filter, much like when you comb your hair. However, you need very low humidity to create any type of low level static charge. This charge is quickly lost as soon as the filter collects any dust, which insulates the plastic/glass strands and prevents the generation of any static charge. It would appear that the only benefit these filters offer is that they are permanent. Further, you do have the dirty task of washing these filters every two-three months. In addition, these filters have been known to cause major air restriction problems after several years that may damage your heating/cooling system."

Our unit is 5 years old and we've experienced no problems. The Envirosept units come in many sizes. All the units we sell come with 14 filter pads, enough for most people for at least 1 year.  The power used is minimal and the cost cannot be beat! Changing the filters is easy. Just unplug the panel. Slip it out. Open the clips. Remove the dirty filters, replace into the one inch slot after fastening the clips and plug in. Wipe off the grids with a damp microfiber cloth if necessary and let dry before refilling and replacing.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the product Rest-Guard Twin 15 Inch High Mattress Cover

Answer: I do recommend this mattress cover. To make your life easier, I suggest you buy at least two covers. That way if he does have an accident during the night, you can change the bed then, if he wakes up, or the next morning and have the bed ready for his afternoon nap. These mattress covers are comfortable to sleep on, too. In the days when my sons were young, the only options were a plastic mattress cover which was either hot or cold unless you topped it with a mattress pad. I recall having quite a collection of mattress pads and sheets.

The Rest-Guard covers are virtually identical to Protect-A-Bed covers. They are hot water washable and dryable on low or line dry. My grandkids find them quite comfortable since they are cotton and polyester and absorbent. They keep dust mites in the mattress, too. We also sell total mattress encasements in all sizes and heights.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the king bedbug mattress and box spring protectors

Answer: I recommend you cover both the mattress and box spring with individual Rest-Guard Deluxe King Bed total encasements that are 20 inches high. Also use Rest-Guard total encasement pillow covers on all your pillows in the bedroom and then cover your mattress with a fitted Rest-Guard waterproof mattress cover.

Any bed bugs you seal up in the Rest-Guard "Fully-enclosed" mattress covers will be trapped inside and will not be able to escape and will eventually die, the reason is because the inside of our covers are specially designed with a waterproof polyurethane backing on all six sides and have a re-enforced zipper liner which have smaller teeth, this prevents bedbugs and their eggs from escaping through the zipper teeth, which means you will not have to dis-guard your bed bug infested mattress or Box spring. Our manufacturer Rest-Guard recommends keeping the mattress covers intact for at least 12 months (bed bugs can live a very long time without feeding). The bed bugs and eggs inside will die, and the mattress is protected from further infestation.

Below are some notes from their website:

** Note: For cleaning & hygienic reasons, we suggest purchasing the Rest-Guard Fitted sheet Mattress protector, and place this cover over the fully-enclosed cover, simply remove the fitted sheet protector cover every 2-3 weeks and machine wash & dry as mentioned above and replace for continued protection.

** Note: Mattress covers can only trap bed bugs that are hiding on your mattress. You should also fully enclose your box spring as well to complete your bedding protection for both bed bugs and allergens. However, these covers will not protect you from other bed bugs hiding in your bedroom. For complete elimination of bed bugs from your bedroom and your home, you will need to contact a pest extermination specialist who understands how to rid your home of bed bugs.

Hope this helps. All is saved, not lost.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara