Because you can’t see, feel or taste the air in your home, you might not realise that it may not be clean. Unless you suffer from an allergy, you probably don’t even think about the air you breathe. The fact is, indoor air can be 5-100 times more polluted than outdoor air, even in the world’s largest and most heavily industrialised cities (source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Research indicates that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, which means that exposure to indoor air pollution can be a serious risk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is AHAM?» Open answer

AHAM is the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. AHAM tests and rates the performance of room air purifiers to give consumers a good basis for comparing them. To make an informed purchase decision, consumers must know the air purifier’s clean air delivery rate (CADR) and the size of the room where the product will be used.

How long should I run my air purifier?» Open answer

For optimum results the unit should be used constantly, with the doors and windows closed.

Can I wash the filters?» Open answer

Please read the owner’s manual carefully, because only certain filter types can be washed.

Filter-washing process:

  1. Unplug the unit from the socket.
  2. Remove the filter.
  3. Fill the sink with warm water and add a mild dish detergent.
  4. Swish the filter around in the soapy water for about five minutes (do not leave the filter in the water longer than this).
  5. Rinse with clean water for at least ten minutes to get all the soap out.
  6. Shake excess water out of the filter.
  7. Set on a towel to dry over night.
  8. Once completely dry, place the filter back in the unit and plug the unit back in.

Make sure not to leave the filter in the water for too long. Also, make sure to only use mild dish soap, do not use any other chemicals or cleaners. DO NOT place a wet filter back in the unit, as this could damage the unit.

What does CADR mean?» Open answer

CADR, or clean air delivery rate, is the amount of cleaned air (measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM) that an air cleaner delivers to a room. A higher CADR indicates the greater ability to return clean air to the room.

Why can I smell cigarette smoke or other odours in the air even when the unit is on?» Open answer

Keep in mind that although airborne tobacco smoke particles will be picked up and removed by the air cleaner, some particles may cling to furniture, carpeting, drapery and the like. So even though the smoke particles in the air you breathe will be greatly reduced by the use of the air cleaner, you may continue to notice smoke odours from the build-up in the carpet, furniture or drapery.

Why does the unit blow cold air?» Open answer

The unit does not actually cool or heat the air, it only circulates it. However, when air blows on you it may make you feel cold. The only way to avoid this is to move the air cleaner farther away from you.

How much ozone is emitted by the IFD air purifiers?» Open answer

The specific ozone levels are not measured, but all our IFD units have ozone levels well within the limit of 50 ppb (parts per billion). In all studies and articles released about ozone-producing units, our units were never mentioned as being dangerous or harmful.

My unit is giving off an odour. What should I do?» Open answer

Your unit can give off odours if it has been stored for long periods, if there is a strong cooking odour, or if the filter is new. The best way to eliminate the odour is to run the unit outside on high for 1 hour. This will air out the filter and remove any odours. Remember, some odours cannot be removed, such as the odour of mildew after having been stored. In this case we recommend a new filter.

How do I know when to change the filters?» Open answer

We commonly recommend changing the pre-filter every two to three months and the HEPA filter every two to three years. You can also tell it’s time to replace the pre-filter when you start to see a layer of gray dust form on the outside of the pre-filter. The HEPA filter should be replaced when the unit sounds louder then normal or when you get “pulsating” air.

True HEPA vs. IFD» Open answer

  • IFD units give the surrounding air a negative charge. The negatively-charged dust particles will then stick to the neutrally-charged collection filter.
  • IFD units are about 98% as effective as a true HEPA unit.
  • IFD units are in general quieter then than true HEPA units.
  • IFD units normally use collection filters, meaning there is nothing to replace.
  • IFD produces ozone as a by-product of the filtering process.
  • True HEPA: A true HEPA filter is made of borosilicate material, which is densely-packed glass fibers. A true HEPA filter cannot be called true HEPA unless it achieves 99.97% efficiency on the cleanroom-grade D.O.P. (Dioctylphthalate) test. This is the definition of the filter.
  • True HEPA units are generallymore efficient then IFD units.
  • True HEPA units cover a larger area and have a higher rate of air changes per hour.

What does “air changes per hour” mean?» Open answer

Air change refers to how many times the air in the room will cycle through the air purifier. The size of the room determines how many changes per hour the unit can perform when turned on high. The smaller the room, the more changes, the larger, the fewer changes.

What does HEPA stand for?» Open answer

HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air. HEPA filters are the most efficient filters available. Honeywell true HEPA filters will capture 99.97% of all particles, .3 microns or larger, that pass through the filter.

Why do I have to keep the unit one metre from the walls and furniture?» Open answer

For proper air flow and to make sure you don’t stain your walls or furniture, we recommend keeping the unit at least one metre from walls and furniture. This will ensure maximum efficiency.

Is it okay to leave my windows and doors open with the air cleaner running?» Open answer

It is not recommended to leave your windows or doors open. Having an open window or door will allow dirty air to constantly enter the room. Using an air purifier in a closed space ensures the maximum effect.

My air purifier was working properly and suddenly shut off. What should I do?» Open answer

There is an internal circuit breaker which may have been tripped. You should unplug the unit and allow it to sit for about 12 hours. Then plug the unit back in to a working outlet and turn it on.

What happens to bacteria and viruses caught in the air purifier?» Open answer

Bacteria and viruses cannot survive without water. Most particles that are captured from the air were riding on a particle of moisture. Once trapped in the filter, the moisture quickly evaporates and the bacteria and viruses die.

All About

Because you can’t see, feel or taste the air in your home, you might not realise that it may not be clean. Unless you suffer from an allergy, you probably don’t even think about the air you breathe. The fact is, indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air, even in the world’s largest and most heavily industrialised cities (source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Research indicates that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, which means that exposure to indoor air pollution can be a serious risk.

Who is at risk?

Everyone, to some extent. However, sensitive people and people who spend long periods of time indoors are most exposed to the harmful effects of indoor air pollution. Such groups include the young, the elderly, or those suffering from respiratory ailments. Healthy people need to beware too, as the number of allergy sufferers dramatically increases with the level of air pollution. Today, one in three people suffers from an allergy.

Health effects

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published research that found air pollution to be statistically linked to increased health problems (source: “Air Pollution and Health – Good News and Bad”, by C. Arden Pope, III, PhD). Particles less than 10 microns, including simple dust, can pass through the nose and throat and go directly into the lungs. Many people may only notice irritation to their eyes, nose and throat.

Pollutants

The air that we breathe every day indoors may contain harmful gases and particles, including germs, viruses, dust, bacteria, pollen, mould spores, animal dander, smog, tobacco, smoke and soot. Ventilation is necessary, as it will bring in enough outside air to dilute emissions and flush air pollutants out of the home. If insufficiently evacuated, these gases and particles can lead to air quality problems.

Think about it: You drink purified water. You use a hand sanitiser. You clean the surfaces of your home. Shouldn’t you do something about the air you breathe?

Some of the ways to improve air quality in your home include:

1. Limit sources of pollution

  • Control humidity levels with the help of a humidifier. Medical experts recommend a relative humidity level of 40-60%.
  • Dry clothes outdoors if possible.
  • Don’t over-water indoor plants, because soil that is too damp is fertile for harmful microorganisms.
  • Don’t smoke indoors.
  • For gas hobs and ovens, use a hood vent that goes directly outside.
  • Open the flue in your gas fireplace when in use.
  • Have your central heating system inspected and serviced annually by a trained professional.
  • Get chimneys and flues inspected annually.

2. Improve ventilation

Flush out indoor air by opening your doors and windows. This can lower concentrations of indoor air pollutants.

3. Clean the air

Use a portable air purifier in the rooms where you spend the most time, such as the living room or bedroom. By filtering out air pollutants, these devices help improve air quality that pass through the filters and reduce unpleasant odours (such as tobacco smoke) and cooking smells.

There are several types of air purifiers available in the marketplace today.

True HEPA purifiers

The gold standard in air purification continues to be true HEPA filtration. HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air” and refers to a filtration method that uses a fan to draw in surrounding air and force it through a glass fibre filter. To be certified “true HEPA”, the system must be 99.97% effective at removing microscopic particles that are as small as 0.3 microns in size from the air that passes through the filter. True HEPA air purifiers are often recommended by doctors for people showing symptoms of allergies and asthma, or other breathing disorders. HEPA filters are replaceable and can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

Ozone risk: none. True HEPA air purifiers do not use ionisation to remove particles from the air. This means that the filtration process does not produce any ozone.

HEPA-type purifiers

HEPA-type filtration systems are similar to true HEPA purifiers but do not meet the same high standards. They are effective for general, all-round air purification and particle reduction, as they remove up to 95-99% of airborne particles as small as 2 microns, that pass through the filter. The filter should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner once every three months.

Ozone risk: minimal. HEPA-type filtration does not use ionisation to remove particles from the air, so the filtration process does not produce any ozone. However, some models offer an ionisation feature to boost cleaning power and add additional freshness to the air. This feature may emit small traces of ozone when activated and should therefore not be used by people who have asthma or other breathing conditions.

Electric Media Purifiers IFD™ Filter Technology

This type of purifier is effective for general, all-round air purification and particle reduction, as they remove up to 99% of airborne particles as small as 2 microns that pass through the filter.

IFD™ is a breakthrough filtration method that is highly effective at removing airborne particles. IFD™, which stands for “intense field dielectric”, is the only electronic filter technology whose performance rivals that of HEPA systems. The IFD™ filter is actively charged by a high voltage source that allows it to pull particles out of the air and capture them. The IFD™ filter should be cleaned once every three months by rinsing in water.

Ozone risk: minimal. Because the filtration system produces trace amounts of ozone, this type of product is not recommended for people with asthma or other breathing conditions.