Air Purifier and Air Cleaner Reviews and Comparisons
How to Demystify the Process of Selecting
the RIGHT Air
Purifier or Cleaner for Your Needs
There are many different air purification technologies and air cleaners
on the market, but no one air purifier technology can solve every air
pollution type, which is why we carry different brands. This section
will help to demystify the process of determining which technology is
right for your pollution problem, and help you select the models that
suit your environment and budget.
Air Purifiers by Technology
Air Ionizers
HEPA and Carbon Filters
UV PhotoCatalytic Oxidation Systems
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)
Heat Sterilization
Ozone Generators
Air Ionizers
Negative ions clean the air of particulates like
dust, dander and pollen by magnetically attracting to pollutants until
these newly-formed larger particles become too heavy to remain in the
air you breathe.
Surround Multi-Tech Air Ionizers
Surround
Air Ionizers continually produce negative ions, so even if one of
these fallen particles is kicked up into the air, it is quickly removed
again. The most important thing, though, is that they are taken out
of the air, preventing you from inhaling them into your lungs, which
is how they cause problems. Negative ions also prevent static electricity
and energize the air.
But because you need more than negative ions
to truly purify the air, Surround Multi-Tech models incorporate a
variety of air purification technologies to treat a broad range of
pollution, including HEPA and carbon filtration, TiO2 filtration
and ultraviolet lamps. more info
Air Oasis UV Oxidation Air Purifiers for Residential
and Commercial
The
Air Oasis™ air purifiers utilize state-of-the-art technologies unique
to any product currently on the market today. Their AHPCO™ Cell
(Advanced Hydrated PhotoCatalytic Oxidation Cell) is the next generation
in catalytic oxidation. The AHPCO™ Cell technology is far superior
to the older stand alone UV lamps and catalytic oxidation methods
with only one catalyst used in competitor air purifiers. This is
the latest advanced oxidation technology that consists of a proprietary,
high-intensity broad spectrum UV tube in a hydrated catalytic matrix
cell. Low-level ozone is produced in the cell, the majority of which
is converted into airborne hydro peroxides and hydroxyl ions via
the quad-metallic catalyst. The entire assembly is encased in a
protective metal cell. These friendly cleansing ions treat your
indoor air pollution (viruses, bacteria, mold, VOCs, etc.). more
info
HEPA and Carbon Filter Air Cleaners
HEPA filters are great
for cleaning the air of particulate because they can remove
99.97% of particles (at .3 microns in size) that pass through
the filter. Largely considered the most effective type
of air filter for solid particles, such as dust, pollen,
smoke and other allergens, HEPA filters can removes a high
volume of floating dust and other particles from environment,
including many of the ionized particles that would otherwise
just settle to the ground. However, HEPA filters do not have
the ability to destroy microbials, viruses, bacteria, mold
spores, chemical fumes and other more challenging types of
pollution. But there are some HEPA based air purifiers that
combine a HEPA filter with other technologies to get the
best of all worlds.
Surround Ti02 Multi-Tech Ionizers
Certain
technologies are much better than others at removing different
pollutants. With the Multi-Tech , you get the best of the most
advanced air purification technologies on the market, all rolled
into one air purifier: 1) an air ionizer to remove allergens,
dust, dander and other particulates from the air, 2) a HEPA
filter that traps 99.97% of particulate, 3) a
germicidal UV light that destroys micro-organisms like germs,
viruses, bacteria and mold, 4) an activated carbon filter that
removes chemicals, gases, odors and cigarette smoke, and
5) Ti02 technology for VOCs and bacteria. more
info
Airpura Carbon, HEPA and Optional UV
Airpura
sets the standards for Carbon and HEPA (optional UV) air purification
by incorporating all the design improvements you've been asking
for, including an all metal housing in white, cream or black, that
ensures no plastic vapors are emitted. The motor is located out
of the air flow (most air cleaners blow the clean air over the
motor and pick up impurities). Electrical parts in a sealed chamber
out of the airflow, which increases safety and prevents off-gassing
and the pressure sealed filter chamber prevents leakage of polluted
air around filters. The felt gaskets seal the filter chamber to
maximize filtration with no rubber off-gassing found with other
filters. And a variable speed motor can be turned low for quiet
operation or high to clean the air in a 2000 sq. ft. space in 30
minutes. more info
Hydrated PhotoCatalytic Oxidation
By using
a broad spectrum, high efficiency UV bulb (HE/UVTM) to work with
a hydrated quad-metallic target, the target acts as a catalyst for
a hydroxyl radical reaction of the broad spectrum 100-300 nm HE/UVTM
energy with water vapor on the hydrated target. The results are hydro
peroxides, super oxide ions, passive negative ions hydroxides and
ozonide ions, which create a very aggressive advanced oxidation atmosphere
that has the ability to reduce airborne bacteria, mold and viruses
up to 99% also odors and VOC's by up to 97%, and well as other types
of indoor air pollution. There are two brands that utilize oxidation
as the air purification method:
Air Oasis UV Oxidation Air Purifiers for Residential and Commercial
The
Air Oasis™ air purifiers utilize state-of-the-art technologies
unique to any product currently on the market today. Their AHPCO™
Cell (Advanced Hydrated PhotoCatalytic Oxidation Cell) is the next
generation in catalytic oxidation. The AHPCO™ Cell technology is
far superior to the older stand alone UV lamps and catalytic oxidation
methods with only one catalyst used in competitor air purifiers.
This is the latest advanced oxidation technology that consists
of a proprietary, high-intensity broad spectrum UV tube in a hydrated
catalytic matrix cell. Low-level ozone is produced in the cell,
the majority of which is converted into airborne hydro peroxides
and hydroxyl ions via the quad-metallic catalyst. The entire assembly
is encased in a protective metal cell. These friendly cleansing
ions treat your indoor air pollution (viruses, bacteria, mold,
VOCs, etc.). more info
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)
The
TiO2 (titanium dioxide) photocatalytic action is achieved when combined
with a properly balanced light source. This action reduces harmful
microorganisms and odors that are constantly circulating through
the air into harmless CO2 (carbon dioxide, which is expelled during
respiration) and H2O (water), thus completely eliminating the microorganism
and odors.
When
a germicidal ultraviolet lamp is used with Ti02 as the sole catalyst,
the reaction is the production of various oxidizers, including ozone.
While that may be desirable for commercial applications, it is not
desirable for inhabited spaces. California took the unprecedented
action of banning ozone producing residential air purifiers (see
list). We do not carry any air purifiers that produce ozone for
residential use, but we do carry two models that are used for commercial
and smoking applications (see ozone
generators and Airpura
T-600).
Surround
Ti02 Multi-Tech Ionizers
Certain
technologies are much better than others at removing different
pollutants. With the Multi-Tech , you get the best of the most
advanced air purification technologies on the market, all rolled
into one air purifier: 1) an air ionizer to remove allergens,
dust, dander and other particulates from the air, 2) a HEPA
filter that traps 99.97% of particulate, 3) a
germicidal UV light that destroys micro-organisms like germs,
viruses, bacteria and mold, 4) an activated carbon filter that
removes chemicals, gases, odors and cigarette smoke, and
5) Ti02 filter for VOCs, odors and bacteria. more
info
Heat Sterilization
Heat
can be used to sterilize indoor air by using a ceramic core that
destroys 99.99% of all microorganism (spores, fungus, bacteria, virus,
mold, dust mites feces and skeleton) are burned at temperatures around
400F (250ºC). No living microorganism survives this power. Yet this
is done without significant heat contribution to the ambient. Because
heat is a totally natural process, this technology doesn't employ
chemical or toxic products such as glass filter fibers, triclosan-coated
paper or any kind of material that can be harmful to the environment
when wasted. Nor does it produce ozone, VOCs, nitrous oxide or nitric
acid.
Airfree®
Air Sterilizers
This
product is excellent for children's room or for anyone who is chemically
sensitive or allergic to ozone because it works based on a totally
natural process: heat. Inside Airfree®'s patented ceramic core
99.99% of all microorganisms are burned at temperatures around
400F, which is done without significant heat contribution to the
room. Airfree®'s breakthrough technology provides silent, effective
operation, safely destroying 99.99% of all microorganisms that
pass through it. Best of all, there is no maintenance required
because Airfree® has no moving parts and doesn't need replacement
filters or lamps. And it's energy efficient, using below 46 watts. more
info
The
Enviro 60, Airfree’s flagship model is arguably the most rigorously
tested machine on the market. Several of the world’s most prestigious
laboratories located in six different countries (USA, Spain,
Germany, Portugal, Brazil, and Sweden) have tested Airfree’s
effectiveness in “real life” conditions. All tests conducted
have concluded similar results; that Airfree is extremely effective!
Ozone Generators
Ozone
is a very powerful oxidizer that is very effective on certain contaminants
(chemicals, smoke and odors, to name a few). Ozone generators should
never be used in inhabited spaces because high levels of ozone
can harm lungs, especially those of the very young, the very old
or anyone with an impaired immune system. But ozone generators
and ozone producing air purifiers can have their place. We carry
two models that product ozone:
Surround
Multi-Tech XJ-3000C
The
Surround XJ-3000C has an ozone air sanitizer option and is very
popular with smokers because they can run the sanitizer option
when they have left the room. When the ozone option is turned
off, no ozone is produced by the other technologies in this air
purifier (HEPA filter, carbon filter, ions, Ti02 filter and a
prefilter. more
info
Air
Oasis Ozone Generator
Ozone
generators are not intended for occupied spaces, unless the occupants
are the source of the severe pollution, as is the case in smoky
bars, bingo parlors or other places that allow smoking. If used
in occupied spaces, ozone generators should be used sparingly
and operated only intermittently. If you are lookingfor a small
commercialair cleaner, the Air Oasis Ozone Generator is for
you because it weights only 9 pounds and is 17" x 4" x
6";small but mighty! Air Oasis ozone generators can be
used for home use as long as they are used appropriately. more
info
Find the Right Air Purifier for
Your Unique Problem
or Application
It's no mystery that the air inside our homes, offices and nearly every building
we enter is contaminated with
toxic air pollution problems. But wading through the plethora of air purification
technologies and models to make our living and working space free of pollution
can be a daunting task, especially with the misinformation presented by so
many salespeople and web sites. There are many different air purification technologies
and air filters on the market, but no one air purifier technology can solve
every air pollution problem, which is why we carry different brands. For help
determining which air purifier is right for you, click on one of the below
links or call us toll free at 866-875-4386 (US and Canada).