Rating the Efficiency Level of your Air Purifier

There are 2 critical things to consider when measuring how effective an air purifier is. The first performance test is how much  air  it can clean each hour. The second test is what percentage of the pollutants the air purifier removes from the air that is circulating through it. This second test  is called the efficiency.  
For example, if the particle count per cubic foot of air going into the air purifier is 1,000,000 particles and the particle count of the air coming out after it has passed through the filters is 300, than the efficiency of the air purifier would be 99.97%. Such, you can see how the efficiency of the air purifier is important, since an air purifier with  only  a 60% efficiency would allow 400,000 particles to go back into the room.   The efficiency rating  is important, because there are many air purifiers on the market that have a Hepa filter, but their relative efficiency is undocumented. This only means that the filter has been tested to remove 99.97% of all of the particulates that are 0.3 of a micron in size or larger. However, this is when all of the particles in the air contact the Hepa filter and none of the air is able to bypass the filter itself.  Once you take the Hepa filter and install it in the air purifier, other variables are involved. As air is pulled into the air purifier,  a portion of the air can bypass the filter media, depending on the way the filter is situated within  the air purifier. As much as 35 to 50 percent of the air can by-pass the filter media in some Hepa filter-based air purifiers, resulting in inadequate performance. 

I recommend the IQAir series and the Clarifier series as the most efficient Air Purifiers.

Air Purifiers, Ozone Emissions... and Outgassing

Ozone emission, which can be toxic in great amounts, is not desirable, regardless of whether you have allergies, asthma, or a multitude of  chemical sensitivities.  However, the effects are usually worse for people afflicted with these conditions.  To start off, ozone is an irritant to the respiratory system.  It becomes progressively irritating as concentration levels increase. Unfortunately, most manufacturers do not monitor the ozone levels. 

"Out-gassing", which can occur from the silicone used for the gaskets and glues used to attach the filter media to the housing, can out-gas and cause a reaction, especially for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.  If you belong in this class, you should look for an air purifier where the pre-filter and Hepa filter come before the gas filter in the housing, so any out-gassing that could otherwise occur, will be removed by the activated carbon.  Remember also that it is best that there be some type of filter after the carbon gas filter, to remove any carbon particles that may fall off as the air passes through it.

A good air cleaner for those with multiple chemical sensitivities is the IQ Air HealthPro series or the Allerair series.

Basic Tips and Advice on Choosing Air Filters

Most people do not really understand what is in the air they are breathing. They don't realize that air they breathe, has particles that contain mold, mildew, pet dander, microscopic plastic particles and many more pollutants. Combine all those air contaminants and you can see that all of these particles can be harmful to your health. But, how do you reduce or get rid of them...safely?

By using an air purifier filter in your air purifier, you can capture as much as 99% of the particles in the air that are related to health issues. This is the main cause, airborne pollutants, that are causing you or a family member, a host of health problems. Most people do not realize how simple it is to remove these contaminants. By using good ventilation methods and by purchasing an air purifier that uses a high quality air purifier filter, you can breathe easier in your home.

In the world of air purifier filters, the HEPA filter is tops. The HEPA purifier filter removes the most pollutants, up to 99.97%. This means that your air is much cleaner than ever before, simply by using a good quality air purifier filter. HEPA air purifier filters are also capable of removing cigarette smoke, which helps remove the odors that many non-smokers dislike.

Some air purifier filters are more expensive, depending upon the quality of the filter. For example, HEPA filters are always more expensive. Nevertheless, these air purifier filters are of a much higher quality than other standard air purifier filters, which makes them worth the additional cost. When it comes to your family's health, it is a good idea to find the best filters possible for your air purifier.

When looking for the perfect air purifier for your home, look online for your selected machine. Change them as scheduled by the manufacturer or as needed in order to ensure your air purifier works at full capacity. When working properly, the air purifier will help ensure the air quality for your family is the best possible. Never compromise when trying to ensure the health of your family.

What Makes the IQ Air Health Pro Plus Air Cleaner the Best?

Not All Air Purifiers Are Created Equal...

Efficiency ratings of many air purifiers sound very impressive, but the actual air purifier effectiveness does not mirror the claims made for the product.
HEPA-Air Purifiers will often boast of removing 99.97% for particles of 0.3 microns and larger.  Very impressive, BUT this claim is based on theory and not on the actual clean air produced by the air cleaner.   System leakage and sub-par construction can greatly reduce the air filtration efficiency of an air purifier.   Independent testing has shown that many popular air cleaners don't even meet 10% of the claims stated on their label. This is where the IQ Air Health Pro Plus stands above the rest.

Advanced "individual unit" testing in their laboratories determines the actual air filtration efficiency of each unit.  Add  the fact that the IQ Air Health Pro Plus model was the first air purifier ever to get a "0" rating on the particle counter test...meaning that no particles escaped the advanced Hyper-HEPA filtration
system. Swiss-made IQ Air purifiers are regarded as some of the highest-quality units in the air purification industry. For more than 40 years, the company has manufactured units using superior filtering technology, quality components, and skilled craftsmanship. As a result, their air cleaners have received more #1 product reviews than any other air cleaner manufacturer.

Designed for residential use, the HealthPro series of room air purifiers have a modular tower design and are available in several models including the HealthPro, the HealthPro Compact and the HealthPro Plus.
Here's how they work: The machine draws in air from below, at foot level, picking up airborne mites and dust in the process. It circulates the air inside the machine and filters particles and pollutants through a series of internal filters. Four advanced filtration technologies  remove particles, pollutants, odors and allergens. Once purified, the air is released out of the top of the machine, bringing clean air back into the room. Some HealthPro models don't have all four internal filters, so check the model details carefully in deciding which one may be right for you.
Six fan speeds are featured on every model in the series, which allows the user to choose the ideal performance level desired. Included with each model is a remote control, a Programmable Control Panel and an Intelligent Filter Life Monitor. I really like the IQAir control panel because it gives you simple, accurate information about what the unit is doing, while making it easy for you to control its operation. The LCD display tells you the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air being drawn through the machine, and an LED light reminds you when to change the filter.

With 6 fan speeds, you can set the unit to run on certain speeds at certain times of the day, so that, for example, you can run it higher at night, but slower during the day, in order to reduce noise. The only complaint.... I noticed, that at high speeds, the fan was really loud....noticebly loud enough to interfere with communication with my colleagues.
IQAir machines produce no undesirable by-products that could harm the consumer or the environment. All IQAir purifiers are certified by the International Association of Air Cleaner Manufacturers (IAACM) to be 100% ozone-free. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that, while killing bacteria, can also affect the respiratory system and irritate lung function, causing coughing, throat irritation or an uncomfortable chest-sensation. It can be especially hazardous to people with debilitating respiratory systems.

Being a former distributor for an ozone air purifier company, I  fully experienced the irritating effects of ozone. I like the IQAir much better than the Ecoquest Living Air air purifiers. IQAir moves a lot of air, and after reviewing these units, I simply don't believe that you can clean a large volume of air without moving a large volume of air through a filtration unit. A "silent" or "breeze" air purifier, in my opinion, isn't moving enough air to be effective.

After testing the IQ Air Health Pro Plus, I highly recommend these units as the best over-all air purifiers.  If you'd like more information on the company and the IQ Air Health Pro air cleaners, click on link or images below...