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Cubic
meters of clean air achived:
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420m3
|
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Max
Room size
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one unit per 140m2 area |
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Size:
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53cm x 38cm x38cm |
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Weight:
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19kg |
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Power
consumption in watts:
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80w
average
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Filter
changes
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Carbon & Zeolite Filter: 1-3 years Hepa Filter: 3-5 years Pre-filter: 3-4 months |
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Noise
Level
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35dB - 65dB |
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Fan
speeds:
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3 fan speeds |
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Case
Material:
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Metal |
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Guarantee:
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5 years limited warranty |
We have tested our range of purifiers on a wide range of criteria, and summarised our findings in easy to read information charts. This will enable you to find out which air purifier will be right for you. For example, you may not be an allergy sufferer, but would like a unit to refresh and clean the air; for this, a lower priced unit with a particle filter may be sufficient. Or you may be close to a busy road, and are looking for something to deal with pollution. Or you may be significantly troubled with chemicals, and need something more specialised, such as a unit to cope with VOC's. Whatever your requirements, you can refer to our charts and have a feel for which unit would suit you best.
The information you will find is:
Then we have identified the major allergens and pollutants that people are trying
to deal with, and given each one a rating from one to five, to give you an indication
of how effective a purifier is at dealing with particular air quality issues
(1 being the lowest, 5 the highest performance). The allergens rated are:
Dust, pollen, animal dander, tobacco, odours, pollution, mould, chemicals, bacteria
and volatile organic compounds.
Metric conversions
20 metres square = 220 square feet. ie) room size 11
feet x 20 feet
24 metres square = 260 square feet. ie) room size 12 feet x 22 feet
30 metres square = 320 square feet. ie) room size 13 feet x 25 feet
36 metres square = 365 square feet. ie) room size 13 feet x 28 feet
46 metres square = 550 square feet. ie) room size 18 feet x 30 feet
54 metres square = 580 square feet. ie) room size 19 feet x 30 feet
63 metres square = 680 square feet. ie) room size 23 feet x 30 feet
140 metres square = 1500 square feet. ie) room size 30 feet x 50 feet
What's this? CADR
CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery rate, which is a measure of a cleaners efficiency,
together with the air flow rate. It is defined as the cubic feet of air cleaned
of a particular particle in one minute.
For example, if an air cleaner has a CADR of 250 for smoke particles, this is
equivalent to adding 250 cubic feet of clean air to the room each minute.
The CADR is useful for comparing different units efficiency at dealing with
certain particulates such as dust, pollen and smoke, although it does not measure
chemical removal.
What's This? A Decibel
A decibel is a measure of sound. As a rough guide to what each level of sound
is equivalent to:
· A whisper: 20 to 30 decibels
· Normal conversation: 60 decibels
· Power lawn mower: 65 to 95 decibels
· Electric drill: 95 decibels
· Rock concert: 110 to 120 decibels
· Chain saw: 120 decibels
· Jackhammer: 130 decibels
· Stock car race: 130 decibels
· Shotgun: 170 decibels
What's this? Ionizer
Air Ionization in Nature: The atmospheric air that we breathe always
carry positive or negative electrical charges, or ions, and a charged molecule
is called a light air ion, or air-ion. If a charged molecule of air settles
on a water drop or a dust particle, it also obtains electric charge, and is
then called a heavy "ion". In rural location or in the mountains on
a sunny day the air usually contains about 800-1000 light air ions of both polarities
in a cubic centimetre, and no heavy ions. This is what makes the air feel fresh
and healthy.
Whereas, in a big city, the concentration of light air ions drops to 50-100
ions per cubic centimeter, while the concentration of heavy "ions",
on the opposite, rises to tens of thousands in a cubic centimeter. This is why
many air purifiers have an ionizer as part of their features, to emit light
ions to refresh the air.
Dust Mite Allergen
Over 75% of the "dust" one sees in a sunbeam shining through any window
is dander- basically human and pet skin. This dander, as well as mould, is the
main food source for the dustmite. As it is lightweight, dander will float around
to any part of the home. Dust mites can be found in any home around the world,
and are closely related to spiders. However, dust mites are so small that they
cannot be seen with the naked eye. The dust mite sheds it's skin as it grows.
These skin sheds as well as their droppings are known as allergens and can pose
a serious problem to those who have an allergy. Dust mite allergen is the second
most common allergy after pollen.
Dust mites live their lives on objects like sofas, chairs, bedding, mattresses,
stuffed toys and clothing. It is not uncommon for a pillow to add over 10% of
it's weight in just 2 years due to live dust mites and their droppings and carcasses.
Furthermore, populations can exceed 10 million dust mites on any one mattress
in less then 3 years! They need high humidity to survive - generally in excess
of 60% - and a lot of food.
Allergies and allergic reactions to dust mites vary from person to person. Clearly,
some people are not affected by their presence; for others dust mites pose a
very real problem. Though it is believed an acute exposure to dust mites at
a young age can have a life long impact, many adults can be suddenly affected.
Reactions include but are not limited to sneezing, itching, watery eyes, wheezing,
headaches, fatigue and depression. Though not
common, some people may develop a red rash. Most important is the fact that
dust mites are impacting over 50% of asthmatics. These are people who need pure
and allergen free air to breath. The fact that dust mites and the stuff on which
they feed can easily get air borne makes them so much more of a threat to anyone
that suffers from respiratory disorders.
It is important
to reduce the levels of dust in a home if you are allergic to dust mite. This
can be certainly helped with the use of a suitable air cleaner that has hepa
filtration, to clear the air of dander and airborne allergen.
Pollen
Each spring, summer, and autumn, tiny particles are released from trees, weeds,
and grasses. These particles, known as pollen, are carried by the wind, their
mission to fertilize other plants. Many, however, never reach their targets.
Instead, they enter human noses and throats, triggering a type of seasonal allergic
rhinitis called pollen allergy, which many people know as hay fever.
The worst types of pollen for allergy sufferers are produced by the plain-looking
plants (trees, grasses, and weeds) that do not have showy flowers. These plants
manufacture small, light, dry pollen granules that are custom-made for wind
transport. A single ragweed plant can generate a million grains of pollen a
day. It is very hard to avoid pollen on high pollen count days, so air purification
can really help to keep your home pollen free.
Pet Allergy
Your pet's dead skin flakes, urine, droppings, saliva and hair can trigger an
allergic reaction or an asthma attack. Dogs, cats, rodents (including hamsters
and guinea pigs) and other mammals all can trigger asthma in individuals with
an allergic reaction to animal dander. It is the proteins in the dander, urine,
or saliva of warm-blooded animals that causes this reaction.
The most effective method to control animal allergens in the home is to not
allow an animal in the home. If you remove an animal from the home, it is important
to clean the home (including floors and walls, but especially carpets and upholstered
furniture) thoroughly. Pet allergen levels are reported to stay in the home
for several months after the pet is removed even with cleaning.
Isolation methods to reduce animal allergen in the home have also been suggested,
but the animal allergen can be carried in the air and by residents of the home
on their clothing to all parts of the home, even when the animal is isolated.
In fact, animal allergen is often detected in locations where no animals were
housed. In these situations, it is assumed that the allergen was carried in
on people that have animals or on people that have been around animals or people
with animals.
So the most effective method to control exposure to animal allergens is to keep
your home pet free. However, some individuals may find isolation measures together
with regular washing of the pet to be sufficiently effective. If you choose
to keep your pet, it is best if you keep them out of sleeping areas, away from
upholstered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys, and keeping the pet outdoors
as much as possible. As the pet allergen is airborne, having a good hepa filtered
air purifier will be effective at controlling levels of the pet allergen.
Tobacco Smoke
Source: Cigarette, pipe, and cigar smoking. Secondhand smoke is also
known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke. Secondhand smoke includes both exhaled
mainstream smoke from smokers and sidestream smoke from the end of a cigarette,
cigar, or pipe. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, including
over 50 compounds that have been identified as carcinogens.
Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; lung cancer;
may contribute to heart disease. Specifically for children, increased risk of
lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and ear
infections; build-up of fluid in the middle ear; increased severity and frequency
of asthma episodes; decreased lung function.
Steps to Reduce Exposure:
· Do not smoke in your home or permit others to do so.
· Do not smoke if children are present, particularly infants and toddlers.
· If smoking indoors cannot be avoided, increase ventilation in the area
where smoking takes place. Open windows or use exhaust fans.
· Use an air purifier that has been specifically designed to deal with
both the particles and gaseous pollutants of tobacco smoke.
Odours
Odours can trigger an allergic response in some people, such as asthmatics,
but also a non allergic reaction in people who suffer from Vasomotor Rhinitis.
This is a chronic rhinitis that is characterised by intermittent episodes of
sneezing, watery nasal drainage, and blood vessel congestion of the nasal mucus
membranes. There appears to be a hypersensitive response to stimuli such as
a dry atmosphere, air pollutants, spicy foods, alcohol, strong emotions, and
some medications. Indeed any particulate matter in the air, including pollens,
dust, mould, or animal dander can bother people with VMR, even though they are
not actually allergic to these things. The most common irritants are strong
odours, such as perfumes, paint fumes, and cigarette smoke.
Car Pollution
Car pollution is a major trigger for asthmatics, and is very hard to avoid,
especially if you live near a busy road or in a city.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas that is formed when carbon
in fuel is not burned completely. 56% of all CO emissions comes from motor vehicle
exhaust.
Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, is the generic term for a group of highly reactive
gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. Many of
the nitrogen oxides are colorless and odorless. However, one common pollutant,
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) along with particles in the air can often be seen as
a reddish-brown layer over many urban areas. The primary sources of Nox, 49%,
are motor vehicles.
Ozone. Motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, gasoline vapors, and
chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC, that help to
form ozone. Sunlight and hot weather cause ground-level ozone to form in harmful
concentrations in the air.
Mould
Outdoors, many moulds live in the soil and play a key role in the breakdown
of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Without moulds we would all be struggling
with large amounts of dead plant matter. Moulds break down plant materials by
digesting them, using the plant material for food.
Moulds produce tiny spores to reproduce, just as plants produce seeds. Mould
spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mould spores
land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they
are growing on in order to survive. There are moulds that can grow on wood,
paper, carpet, foods, just about anything. Sometimes, they can release harmful
gasses when they digest certain foods, such as ink from wallpaper.
The best way to control indoor mould growth is to control moisture. It is important
to dry out water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mould
growth. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mould off hard surfaces
with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling
tiles & carpet) that become mouldy may have to be replaced.
Moulds can cause severe allergic reactions and asthmatic attacks in sensitive
individuals, so it is important to use a dehumidifier where humidity levels
are high, and combine this with a mould inhibiting air purifier.
Symptoms include:
respiratory problems and difficulty breathing, nasal and sinus congestion, burning/watery
or reddened eyes, dry hacking cough, nose and throat irritation, shortness of
breath, skin irritation, headaches, memory problems, mood changes, aches and
pains, and possible fever.
Chemicals
Chemical sensitivity usually occurs after frequent exposure to chemicals. An
allergic reaction occurs as the body's contaminant toleration levels are reached,
toxic overload results and a severe allergic reaction sets in. Chemical sensitivity
also initiates other allergy reactions, so that the sufferer becomes allergic
to nearly everything else. Common chemical/contaminant irritants vary, from
a wide range of petrochemicals and estrogenic chemicals to combustion residues
from household appliances and heating systems, to various kinds of sprays, paints
and exhaust fumes. Other culprits include chlorine bleach, moth balls and insect
repellents, dry cleaning chemicals, and clothes that have been chemically treated.
There are many odours, which, while being pleasant to some, cause great discomfort
to others. The most notable of these are the fragrances found in perfumes, after-shave
lotions and other cosmetics. There are other chemicals, which are used for cleaning
purposes, giving colour and strength to fabrics in clothing, rugs, draperies,
etc, which are offensive to some.
Bacteria & Viruses
Airborne bacteria and viruses are a common source of respiratory infection and
a particular threat to infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune or
cardiovascular systems, including people with allergies, asthma, AIDS and heart
disease. Some serious infectious diseases are spread through airborne bacteria
or viruses, including whooping cough, meningitis, pneumonia, SARS and anthrax.
VOC's
Volatile Organic Compounds:
Volatile: the ability of a substance to evaporate or readily vaporize
at room temperature.
Organic: in chemical terms refers to compounds containing hydrocarbons.
Compounds: consist of two or more elements, substances, ingredients or
parts.
Put it altogether and what does it mean: VOC's are hydrocarbon based compounds
which involve life or the products of organic life that will evaporate, or vapourize
when placed at room temperature. For example, Petroleum products such as gasoline
for example, is a bi-product of once living organisms that will vaporize at
room temperature. Glues, which are often made up of boiled animal parts, (hydrocarbons)
that are often used in the production of wood products and the installation
vinyl flooring etc., will also vaporize or off-gas formaldehyde as they cure.
This is where the term "off-gassing" comes from.
However, to vaporize, also refers to the diffusing or scattering of matter.
This is why mould, for example, has been referred to as a VOC, even though it
is considered a particle. Mould has the property of vaporizing (scattering)
spores which often contain proteins that can be extremely dangerous to humans
(mycotoxins). Likewise, the droppings of dust mite can vaporize which also contain
harmful proteins that can affect the lining of the lung. Paints, cleaners, shoe
polish, carpeting, cupboards, furniture, etc, play a significant role in polluting
our indoor environment with sometimes benign but more often dangerous emissions
that have both short and long term affects on our health.
Health Problems Caused By VOC's (Formaldehyde, Pesticides, Solvents,
Cleaning Agents)
Key Signs/Symptoms
· conjunctival irritation
· nose, throat discomfort
· headache
· allergic skin reaction
· dyspnea
· nausea,
· nosebleeds (formaldehyde)
· fatigue
· dizziness
A wide array of volatile organics are emitted by products
used in home, office, school, and arts/crafts and hobby activities. These products,
which number in the thousands, include:
· personal items such as scents and hair sprays;
· household products such as finishes, rug and oven cleaners, paints
and lacquers (and their thinners), paint strippers, pesticides (see below);
· dry-cleaning fluids;
· building materials and home furnishings;
· office equipment such as some copiers and printers;
· office products such as correction fluids and carbonless copy paper;
· graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent
markers, and photographic solutions.
· mattress ticking
To effectively deal with VOC's, you should choose an air purifier with at least
a heavy duty carbon filter, preferably a unit specifically designed to deal
with VOC's.
How the AllerAir high efficiency air cleaning system works
AllerAir air cleaners
use a 4 phase filtering system.
In the order that the air passes through them they are: the pre-filter, the
Mass Activated Carbon Bed (MAC-B™) filter,the 2 anti-microbial filters
and the HEPA filter.
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1) The pre-filter traps larger dust particle and is easily removed and cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. It acts to stop the larger particles such as dust and lint from clogging the other filters 2) The mass activated carbon bed (MAC-B™) filter adsorbs gases and odours. (Adsorb: no it's not a typo. This is the process by which activated carbon captures gases and odours.) Most off the shelf air cleaners have a few token ounces of carbon sprayed on the pre-filter. This is only sufficient to capture a small amount of the noxious gases and odours in the air and for only a short period of time. The MAC-B carbon filter has pounds of activated carbon (from 7 to 160 lbs.) that will trap 90% of gases and odours that pass over it and will continue working for many months before needing to be replaced. 3) The 2 anti-microbial filters kill the airborne microbes that pass through them.
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The Power of Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon is the only safe, cost effective way to trap noxious gases and odours. Activated carbon consists of a carbon structure, which has been cleaned with hot steam to create an extremely porous structure. Like a miniscule sponge, activated carbon contains thousands of little cracks and pores. These are responsible for a very large internal surface area. This surface area exerts a physical force, which attracts many gas molecules and binds them to the surface of the carbon. This process is called adsorption. In order for an activated carbon filter to work effectively, there needs to be a sufficient amount of carbon, so that the air, which is passing through the filter is able to deposit its pollutant molecules with the activated carbon. What it does and how it works |
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Adsorption
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Put it altogether and what does it mean: VOC's are hydrocarbon based compounds which involve life or the products of organic life that will evaporate, or vapourize when placed at room temperature. For example, Petroleum products such as gasoline for example, is a bi-product of once living organisms that will vaporize at room temperature. Glues, which are often made up of boiled animal parts, (hydrocarbons) that are often used in the production of wood products and the installation vinyl flooring etc., will also vaporize or off-gas formaldehyde as they cure. This is where the term "off-gassing" comes from.
However, to vaporize, also refers to the diffusing or scattering of matter. This is why mould, for example, has been referred to as a VOC, even though it is considered a particle. Mould has the property of vaporizing (scattering) spores which often contain proteins that can be extremely dangerous to humans (mycotoxins). Likewise, the droppings of dust mite can vaporize which also contain harmful proteins that can affect the lining of the lung. Paints, cleaners, shoe polish, carpeting, cupboards, furniture, etc, play a significant role in polluting our indoor environment with sometimes benign but more often dangerous emissions that have both short and long term affects on our health.
Health Problems Caused By VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Key Signs/Symptoms
· conjunctival irritation
· nose, throat discomfort
· headache
· allergic skin reaction
· dyspnea
· nausea,
· nosebleeds (formaldehyde)
· fatigue
· dizziness
Possible sources of VOC's may include:
· personal items such as scents and hair sprays;
· household products such as finishes, rug and oven cleaners, paints and lacquers (and their thinners), paint strippers, pesticides (see below);
· dry-cleaning fluids;
· building materials and home furnishings;
· office equipment such as some copiers and printers;
· office products such as correction fluids and carbonless copy paper
· graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
· mattress ticking
To effectively deal with VOC's, you should choose an air purifier with at least a heavy duty carbon filter, preferably a unit specifically designed to deal with VOC's.
True HEPA combined with the MAC-B™ (Mass Activated Carbon Bed) filter : AllerAir filtration technology combines a true HEPA filter, to trap particles, with a MAC-B carbon filter to trap noxious gases and odours that are the cause of so much respiratory distress and long term harm to health. Most off the shelf air cleaners only effectively trap particles. They have a few token ounces of carbon sprayed on a mesh for noxious gases and odours. This is not enough for dealing effectively with these pollutants. AllerAir's MAC-B filters contain pounds of carbon to safely and effectively remove these dangerous substances from the air you breathe.
A growing reputation: AllerAir's dedication to quality and efficiency is being noticed. In both the residential and workplace markets, as well as in heath care institutions and industry, AllerAir equipment is becoming the standard by which others are judged. AllerAir air cleaners are used in such important institutions as the Mayo clinic, IBM and the US army.
A range of air cleaners to deal with any indoor air contamination problem : AllerAir products range from small portable units to large cabinet models. They serve commercial and industrial, institutional, health care and residential needs. The same expert technology, superior quality and dedication goes into every air cleaner they produce.
